We met in a pandemic class. The last day, he flirted with me via chat. We each texted a mutual friend — was he cool? Was I? The romance began. We traveled, talked, laughed, drank, cheered each other on.
At six months, something changed — he became less responsive. My anxiety increased; every conversation became an argument, one he thought he could win simply by saying, “Fine! No more sex!” When I pointed out we were doing relationship things — weekend trips, couple massages, meeting family and friends — he balked.
“I see you as a friend,” he said. I should’ve left. I didn’t.