The ocean looks completely different at night.
During the day it's bright and endless, the kind of blue that feels peaceful. Calming.
But at night it's darker.
Mysterious.
Alluring.
Almost dangerous.
Which feels strangely appropriate considering who I'm sitting next to.
Luca parks the car near a quiet overlook above the cliffs.
There are no other cars.
Just the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocks far below.
"You bring all the girls here?" I ask casually. Hoping for the right answer and slightly holding my breath.
He glances at me.
"No."
"That sounded suspiciously fast."
"Because it's the truth."
I narrow my eyes.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
He shrugs slightly.
"Because I don't bring people here."
The seriousness in his voice makes me pause. A sense of relief washes over me, but at the same time something else was burning up.
"Oh."
Silence settles around us again.
"You trust me," he says after a moment.
It wasn't a question.
I stare out at the dark ocean.
"I barely know you."
"But you still got in the car." He half smiles.
"That doesn't mean I trust you."
"It means something."
I hate that he's right.
I turn toward him.
"Why are you like this?"
"Like what?"
"All mysterious and broody."
He laughs softly.
"Broody?"
"Yes."
"Interesting description."
"You didn't answer the question."
His fingers tap lightly against the steering wheel.
"Because life's complicated."
"That's still vague."
He looks at me again.
"You really don't let things go, do you?"
"No."
"Good to know."
Then he reaches across the console and gently takes my hand.
"You're cold," he says.
"I'm fine."
But I don't pull away. Pausing in this moment to see what he will do next.