But his bossy tone meant nothing to me, for as I passed him, his hand gently touched upon the small of my back, and he guided me out of Sardi’s and down the street to the Majestic Theatre. My emotions were so great, I later would barely remember that walk—was it short? Long? Straight? With turns? Nothing mattered. I was with Riley, and we were about to see Phantom of the Opera.

I didn’t come back to my senses until we entered the Majestic Theatre. I was in awe—it truly lived up to its name. It felt lush, rich, just like I imagined the Paris Opera House would be. Riley, his hand still against my back, ushered me up the stairs, through the throng of people excited for a night of Broadway.

An usher stopped us on the mezzanine level and took our tickets. His eyes widened when he saw the seating assignment—I hadn’t caught a glimpse of the row or seat, and his reaction made me curious.

“Right this way, sir, madam,” he stammered, and we followed him up a few more stairs, down a hallway—

And to a door labeled ‘5.’

“Box Five,” he said with a stutter.

Now it was my turn to be shocked. “Impossible!” I gasped once Riley opened the door and ushered me over the threshold. We were in a dimly lit room that only added to the majestic ambiance. A scarlet curtain separated us from our seats.

“This box was actually quite easy to procure,” Riley said, and then added with an almost predatory smile, “for me.”

I couldn’t believe it. The perfect seats for the perfect show. I almost clapped my hands in delight.

“Shall we?” he said, his arm sweeping toward me.

“Please,” I breathed, putting my hand in the crook of his elbow.

By the time the cast was taking their final bows, I wanted to leap to my feet, wanted to applaud madly and yell Bravi, bravi, bravissimi! But somehow I managed to keep my cool. I did, however, clap until I thought my hands would fall off. I looked back at Riley; he had stayed seated and wasn’t clapping, but there was a ghost of a smile on his face. But he wasn’t looking at the stage. He was only staring at me.

In that moment, as we gazed at each other, the words almost escaped my lips in my euphoria. I love you. The thought sent a jolt of longing through me. My Great One. My Riley. My beautiful, frightening, unknowable, perfect Riley.

I knew then that I could never, would never love another like I loved Riley in that moment. That all else would only be a pale shadow of the reality before me. No matter what he might feel toward unworthy me, I would forever be his. Forever.