That night, at Sam’s apartment, they sit on the floor surrounded by half-finished rope harnesses and coffee cups.

Sam has her own account now: KnotAndQuill. Her bio: “Rope artist. Writer. In love with a man brave enough to let me see him.”

“We’re rebels,” she says, and kisses him.

Her name is (30, a queer feminist writer and part-time rope artist). She’s bold in text but shy in person. They agree to meet at a neutral café.