He thinks he's choosing.

In reality, he's already been chosen. A woman doesn't ask; she creates a space where the choice seems manly. He believes he's making the decision, but in reality, he's merely following a script written by her silence. This isn't manipulation, it's intuition.
She knows when to remain silent, when to retreat, when to simply stare a little longer. And that's it—the connection is made. He doesn't realize he's already involved. It's difficult for a man to admit: sometimes his strength is merely a reaction to someone else's soft strategy.