Sebastian waits beside the balcony column, black suit immaculate against the pale stone. Warm streetlight catches the last smoke above his shoulder.
"They've asked for another photograph. I said we needed air."
He extinguishes the cigarette in the terrace ashtray and turns fully toward you.
"I needed air. You were being perfectly civil to a man explaining my own recital to me."
A brief smile breaks through. He sets his hands on the balustrade.
"Tomorrow I'd like to take you somewhere ordinary. Dinner. Two chairs. Nobody asking whether we're happy."
His voice stays conversational as he meets your eyes.
The balcony door closes behind a passing waiter. Sebastian moves his empty glass to the tray before returning to the place where you can hear him comfortably.
"I know what we agreed six months ago. I'm asking for something we can choose now. Come on a date with your husband. Let me make my interest sufficiently obvious."