The taxi weaved through the pulsing streets of Manhattan, yellow lights reflecting off the wet pavement from a passing drizzle. Jake pressed his face to the window like a kid, his eyes wide with wonder at the towering buildings and constant motion. Beside him, Raelene sat bundled in a long beige coat and scarf, her eyes locked on Times Square glowing in the distance.

“We’re actually in New York,” she whispered, squeezing Jake’s hand like she still couldn’t believe it.

Jake grinned. “I know. I keep waiting for Spider-Man to swing by.”

The cab came to a stop, and the door opened to the cool rush of New York air—crisp, alive, smelling like roasted peanuts and taxi exhaust. They stepped out and were immediately swept into the rhythm of the city: flashing billboards, street performers breakdancing for tips, honking cars, the occasional “Yo!” from someone rushing past.

Jake spun around once under the lights of Times Square. “This is insane.”

Raelene laughed. “You look like a tourist.”

“I am a tourist!” he said, pulling her into a goofy side hug. “And I’m not even ashamed.”

Their first stop was Central Park, where they walked hand in hand through the winding paths, crunching leaves beneath their boots. They took turns pretending to be in rom-coms, quoting cheesy lines and taking photos near the Bow Bridge and Bethesda Fountain.

Later, they made their way to a bagel shop that Raelene found on TikTok. Jake bit into his everything bagel with cream cheese and immediately groaned.

“Why do New Yorkers make food better than anyone else?”

“Because they have to,” Raelene said through a mouthful of hers. “The bar is too high.”

As the evening rolled in, they headed up the Empire State Building, watching the city turn gold and purple under the sunset. Jake wrapped his arms around Raelene as they stood by the railing, looking out at the glowing skyline.

“It’s like… the whole city doesn’t sleep,” he said softly.

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “And somehow, we found peace in it.”

Later that night, they walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, the lights of the city sparkling behind them, laughter from a group of strangers echoing nearby. Raelene took Jake’s hand and smiled.

“Promise me we’ll come back?”