The ritzy hotel around the corner didn’t even ask for our names when we checked in. Sy passed them an embossed black business card to the receptionist and told them to call for billing. No questions were asked. Card keys were handed over. The gleam and elegance of the hotel slipped around me like another element of the enchantment. Too perfect to be real. Untouchable.

Except that he was beside me. And this was very real. Very touchable.

The air in the elevator ...