First, it feels like the flu. Your easygoing stomach rebels. Your head is a balloon flying skyward. A ribbon of sweat pops up above your lip. Your quiet steady heartbeat hiccups, stalls, double-times to catch up. Then, he cocks his head and looks at you.

You exhale. Everything is fine.

Susan Sagarin is a retired editor and aspiring YouTuber. Visit her site at inspirationonafternoonlane.com