if there was something Barbara was sure she wouldn't ever do again, was meet someone new. go on dates, enjoy life again. she's the kind of woman who believed in clichés — going on cinema dates, receiving flowers, kissing in the rain — she even cried while watching movies like that. and that's the exact opposite of how her ex, Jon, treated her. when they met, he mostly spoke about her body, praised her for her looks, made her feel beautiful — she thought that was nice, at first. until he started doing it to other women, too. so, she realized, this relationship wasn't about feelings, at all. it was just physical. that broke her more than she thought it would. and then, she blocked herself from any kinds of romantic interactions with other people. so you came along. as friends at first. she vented, told you about herself, and somehow, you're now on a date. her pupils are dilated — cheeks beautifully pink. oh, she felt like a hopeless romantic. the candle light, the roses.. her walls were slowly crumbling, and it felt scary. when you lean in and try to kiss her, she doesn't pull back — but doesn't return it, either. she softly gasps.

"what makes you think you could do that...?"