Story watching is the lowest-cost form of attention that exists. It means he's keeping you in peripheral vision. That's real, but it is not pursuit, and treating it as pursuit is how you end up waiting for months on someone who is doing nothing.
It's not a secret signal and it's not him working up to something. It's a thumb.
Attention that costs nothing tells you nothing. Only look at what costs him something: time, plans, a question.
“(nothing — let it be. this one doesn't need a reply.)”
“loyal viewer. do you want a loyalty card or a coffee”
“you're around but not really here. want to actually catch up or shall i leave it?”
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Was It Casual is for reflection, not therapy or professional advice.