He was quiet at first, but continues to surprise me, randomly asking me questions about my life or spurting out a story from his childhood. I tell him about New York and how I’m a novelist. He knows I’m struggling with my latest book but isn’t aware of how far I’ve let it go. He doesn’t push me and I’m grateful. Our conversations bounce back and forth, easy and weightless with zero gravity.

Today, we’ve decided to walk to Vatican City. We’re about three quarters of the way there when I ask, “So, are you missing home yet?”

“Not particularly,” he answers.

“How about your friends? Do you talk to them a lot via text and whatnot?”

“I do sometimes but not a lot. I think I take my vow of silence more seriously than you do.”

“You? Take something seriously? Impossible.”

We soon find ourselves in St. Peter’s Square. Near the obelisk in the direct center, we maneuver past tourists and tour groups who follow smartly dressed guides as they hold up flags to keep people from getting lost. Getting lost in a crowd is easy here. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.

“If you had to pick, what would you say is your favorite place to visit in Rome?”

Liam clasps his hands behind his back and thinks for a moment. “The Catacombs.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s morbid.”

I give him a snarky smile as he watches me from the corner of his eye.

“And what’s your favorite place to visit?” he counters.

I don’t even have to think about it. “The Trevi Fountain. I go to see it at least once a week.”

“I should have guessed. The Trevi Fountain is a very romantic place. The architecture, the water, all of it is very inviting for a dreamer, such as yourself.”

“How can you be so sure I’m a dreamer? Maybe I’m a cut-and-dried, no-nonsense realist like you.”

Liam actually smiles without holding back for once and the aftermath leaves me a little dazzled.

“Right,” he answers, “a no-nonsense realist romance author.”

“Fine,” I concede. “Maybe I am a dreamer. You sound like you disapprove.”

“Of daydreaming? I wouldn’t say I disapprove, entirely. I just think that time can be spent in a more constructive manner.”

“You think so? Tell me then, did you go see the Trevi Fountain?”

“I did,” he answers.

“And what did you think?”

“It was what I expected.”

“Did you throw in a coin?”

“What does that matter?”

“I’m curious. As someone who looks down on dreamers, I think your answer will be telling. So, did you throw in a coin, yes or no?”

Liam pauses. “I happen to carry a lot of spare change.”