What We Left in the Dark

Eleven

Luca escorted me out of the bar, his hand firm around mine as we stepped into the cool night air. The buzz of the city surrounded me, but it felt distant, muted, as if the world had shrunk to just the two of us. A sleek black car was waiting at the curb, the driver stepping out as we approached.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ricci," the driver greeted, his voice polite but with a hint of familiarity.

I blinked, the title catching me off guard. A giggle slipped out before I could stop it. "Oh no, we're not married," I said, my voice light from my light buzz.

The driver's expression remained neutral, but I caught the brief flicker of surprise in his eyes. "My mistake," he said, recovering quickly as he opened the door for us to get in.

Luca chuckled softly as he helped me into the car, his touch lingering on my back. Once settled inside, he leaned forward and told the driver, "Take us to Catalina's place in New Jersey."

I gave the driver my address in Weehawken, and the car eased into the flow of traffic. The drive was quiet, the city's noise fading as we crossed the river.

"How much did you pay him to call me your wife?" Luca simply wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close, choosing not to respond. The warmth of his body and the haze of the wine lulled me into a contented daze.

The city lights blurred past us, the car gliding smoothly through the streets. The skyline of Manhattan didn't disappear as we approached New Jersey; it simply became a little more distant, like a glittering treasure just out of reach. The view from my neighborhood was still stunning, with the city's lights reflecting off the water, creating a mesmerizing dance of color.

Eventually, the car came to a stop, but instead of pulling up to my condo building, the driver brought us to the river walk, which had a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. I looked out the window, surprised, but before I could question it, Luca was already opening the door, holding out his hand for me.

I took his hand, letting his larger, firm grip encapsulate mine as I stepped out. Despite being only a couple of inches taller than me, his presence felt much larger, his frame solid and reassuring. An internal thought flitted through my wine-soaked mind: You know what they say about big hands... I bit my lip, suppressing a smile.

Luca led me down the river walk, the path stretching out over the water, extending from the shore. The city's lights sparkled on the dark surface of the river, reflecting the majesty of Manhattan back at us. We walked in comfortable silence until we reached the end of the path, where it seemed like we were standing in the middle of the river itself, surrounded by water on all sides.

I turned to face the city, taking in the view. The lights of Manhattan were breathtaking, a glittering jewel set against the dark sky. Luca moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close. His warmth seeped into me, the steady beat of his heart a calming rhythm against my back.

"This is the best part of New York," I murmured, leaning back against him. "Not being in it, but being with it. The best view is right here."

Luca's voice was a low rumble in my ear, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. "The best view is taking you in, Cat. I could stare at Manhattan all night, but the fact is that beauty is just steel and electricity. Humanity can make beautiful things, but a collection of buildings is not what I would dare say is beautiful."

I tilted my head slightly, intrigued. "What is then?"

"Well," he began, his lips brushing against my hair as he spoke, "living things are beautiful. One thing that humans can make without materials. That's real beauty—making something out of nothing."