“You really should go on this date,” his driver said.The flat tire earlier in the afternoon had deflated more than rubber. It was also raining that night — in Palm Springs. The vibes seemed off.Larry Thomas, 82, had acclimated to the idea of living out life alone after his partner passed away. But he’d already traveled the 275 miles from Scottsdale, Arizona, to SoCal for this dinner. And it was the night before Valentine’s Day. He felt hopeful.T…