How can I be comfortable in a relationship scene?

Ok actually it isn't me, but my co-actor..





He's quite uncomfortable with eye contact and physical contact, as we have to act as a couple in a short sketch coming up in april..





He can't look into my eyes for long and has trouble being near me!


I am alright with acting this scene cos we're good friends and i'm absolutely comfortable with him so i find it hard to understand why he simply can't.. and i dont know how to help him! All we have to do is look at each other intermittently and look like we're truly in love. Physical contact is required too, but minimal.





Due to some other reasons, we cant get anyone else to do it but him, so i was hoping if anyone knew how to help me help him be comfortable with, well, for starters, looking into my eyes for more than 10 seconds. hah. it's important that we get the 'feel' right or it'll spoil everything! =(





So my main question is, how can one be comfortable acting in a relationship scene when your co-actor (who's playing your girlfriend/boyfriend) isn't your REAL partner?





thank you! :)How can I be comfortable in a relationship scene?
go up and kiss him unexpectedly. then say that since that is out of the way that you two have a play to do.





its like ripping off a band-aid. quick and easy