Every year, when the weather begins to change, and when people swap their Bermuda shorts for thermals and undershirts, an unofficial season commences — cuffing season.

For those unaware of what cuffing season is, it's a time when you pick one person to cuddle up and be lovey-dovey with all winter.

Instead of spending cold nights alone, those evenings are spent nestled by a fire with someone special. Well, that's the goal, at least.

If you haven't noticed, it's June and temperatures are already mimicking those found on a tropical island.

So, that means one thing: Cuffing season ended months ago.

I always wonder though: What happens to everyone's boo or baby who weathered the winter with them? My guess is that most are still around but go about unacknowledged publicly.

A few weeks ago, I was with a friend out on the town, people watching, drinking responsibly and enjoying the weather. There was a group of guys standing aimlessly in front of a jam-packed bar.

I spotted them but had no interest in meeting any of them. From the looks on their faces, however, they didn't understand that.

From the moment we stepped in front of them, until we walked past, their eyes were fixed on every inch and angle of my body.

Being mentally feasted upon like I was that night's supper made me uneasy. But unfortunately, it's something I'm used to. Actually, I sometimes expect it.

"Excuse me, miss. Excuse me, miss," an unfamiliar voice shouted. I turned around only to be greeted by his nose eerily close to mine.

"Hi?" I replied confusingly.

"You're gorgeous," he told me. I am never too good for a compliment and was very appreciative.

After he talked with me for about 10 minutes, I decided against giving him my number and instead followed him on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.

Before departing, I asked if he had a girlfriend or was actively involved with anyone. He quickly answered "no" to every inquiry and with much certainty. He assured me that no one had his attention at the moment.

But every aspect of a person's life is online. Just look on a social network if you want to know what someone did today, where they work or if they're seeing anybody. It didn't require much investigating to conclude that he actually was seeing someone.

There were posts dedicated to one girl in particular, a girl who left comments of hearts and kissy faces on everything he uploaded.

I can't for the life of me make sense of why anyone would lie to a person they don't even know.

There I was, minding my own business, not throwing myself at him or leading him on. Yet our first conversation was riddled with untruths.

I asked nonchalantly why he denied being involved with anyone. He exclaimed that it was a complicated situation. He then told me that he met her this past winter and that's when all the pieces fell together for me.

This shows the confusion that surfaces after cuffing season is long over. People don't know whether to remain exclusive with their "cuffed one" or to be single and carefree.

From then on, I opted not to respond to any of his messages because I just didn't want to be in the middle of his personal mess. I also didn't want to be enemy No. 1 on his girl's hit list.

Had I known he was in a "sticky situation," I wouldn't have stopped to talk.

I'm not willing to risk meeting someone and sticking around until the winter hits, only to be dropped as soon as a chick with a short skirt trots by.

It's still summer. But for now, I'm preparing myself for a solo winter.

Zahara Johnson's column appears regularly in b.