`` do n't you see what he 's trying to do ? young men looking and walking 'just so ' in fashionable suits moved in and out of the multitude of restaurants and bars lining the streets . he was pretty sure there was interest , but it seemed to be only one-sided . he should have been insulted by that , but he was too scared to be insulted . i reached for her , holding out my hand . he nodded his head , like it was decided , and i felt like someone had just put their hand around my throat . 