He laughs against my finger but nods, pressing his lips together pointedly.

When we finally get to Gantry Plaza State Park, the stars are high in the sky and the Manhattan skyline is bright across the East River.

Emmitt inhales quietly, looking around with sharp eyes, taking in the piers and the grassy plains and the large signs hanging over our heads. It might not be Manhattan, but it’s the epitome of New York City for me.

I bite the inside of my cheek, offering him a smile. “I thought that since New York has been your home for the last few weeks, this place would be fitting for the last picture. You can see so much of the city from here, but the photo will still be taken in Queens, where you’ve been going to school. What do you think?”

“It’s perfect,” Emmitt says, his voice soft. “Thank you, Mina.”

I nod, wrapping my arms around myself and walking in the direction of the East River. He follows me, taking a few photos here and there. We reach the edge, overlooking the river, and walk side by side down the expanse of it.

If every night was like this, I think I’d be at peace. Having Emmitt beside me, his gaze warm, taking photographs with a small smile on his face is all I could ever ask for. My feelings for him grow by the minute, as if they’re vines wrapping around my heart protectively, squeezing on the rare occasion.

Everything about tonight is quiet and lovely. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than here.

After a short trip to an ice cream truck, Emmitt and I continue walking down the length of the pier. He’s holding a mint chocolate chip cone, his camera hanging on his chest. I carry a strawberry cone in my own hands, licking it before it melts down the sides.

“Do you think you’ll win?” I ask Emmitt, glancing at him from the corner of my eye. “The photography contest?”

He shrugs, licking some ice cream off his thumb. “I’m not sure, honestly. I’m in third place right now.”

“So you could win,” I say, excitement building inside me. Maybe we’ll both win our competitions and go on to thrive and succeed and be happy. “Shana Torres is going to love working with you! How are you going to tell your mom about everything?”

His brows furrow as he chases another drop of ice cream down his cone. “I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking, and I honestly don’t know if it’ll be enough to convince her. I think I might have placed too much faith in it... No matter what, I’m still going to have to do this Firebrand movie. No matter what, things are going to change. At the end of the day, this is just a silly little contest.”