As we settled around the dinner table, the warm glow of the chandelier overhead cast a cozy ambiance throughout the room. My father’s friend, Mr. Clark, who I had always known as my dad’s jovial college roommate, was joining us for the evening. Throughout dinner, he shared humorous anecdotes and updates about his life, which had us all laughing and contributing to the conversation in equal measure. However, as the evening progressed, his attention subtly shifted towards complimenting me more directly.