Dinner was awkward. Forced. Inevitable.

Karen didn’t know where he’d been or what had happened, but he still felt obligated somehow to make amends.

He ordered for her, something he knew Pam found romantic, but Karen preferred to make her own decisions.

He had the wandering violinists play for them, something he knew Pam would have found hysterical, but Karen thought it was obnoxious.

He offered to share a fancy dessert with her, something he knew Pam found intimate, but Karen was on a sugar-free diet.

He walked her to the door later, but couldn’t bring himself to kiss her.