She met him at a friend's wedding. He was sitting at the table next to hers, and they struck up a conversation during the cocktail hour. He was intelligent, thoughtful, and had a quiet intensity that drew her in. They talked for hours, about their work, their families, their dreams. He asked her questions that made her think, made her laugh, made her feel like he genuinely wanted to know her. By the end of the evening, she was smitten. They exchanged numbers, and she went home feeling hopeful for the first time in a long time.

The first few weeks were wonderful. He texted her every day, sharing articles he thought she would enjoy, asking about her day, remembering the details of their conversations. They went on dates, long dinners that stretched into late-night walks. He was attentive, affectionate, and present. He told her that he had never met anyone like her, that he felt a connection he had not felt in years. She believed him. She felt the connection too. She allowed herself to hope that this was the beginning of something real.