As if a shoulder rub is something only lovers do, even the saint must know that is not the case (even if the culture doesn't normally let different-sex friends do it, it likely allows same-sex friends. If not that, it likely allows family. If not that, since the concept exists, there must be professionals).
I know the author will bait-n-switch us, it was foreshadowed by the thing being damaged, but if it in addition also does it by a misunderstanding on fmc's part, or mc chickening out, I will be annoyed (and probably give up on the story, as I know stories that do that kind of stuff go on forever with no progression, ever).