Luca stepped forward and opened the backseat door as the cab rolled to a smooth stop in front of his gate.
The dimness of the evening and the drizzle blurred his view, but he could make out Isabella's silhouette. Without hesitation, he extended a hand to help her out. As soon as her fingers slipped into his, the familiar softness quickly confirmed it was her.
"Anything in the trunk?" Luca asked, raising his voice slightly over the rhythmic patter of rain. His question was directed at both Isabella and the driver as he instinctively handed her his umbrella.
Isabella, however, unfurled her own smaller one. "Yes. My travel bag," she said.
Luca moved swiftly to the trunk just as the driver popped it open. The bag sat there—small, compact. He grabbed it effortlessly with one hand and shut the trunk before pulling out the cash he had prepared. He paid the driver, adding a generous tip, then turned toward Isabella.
