CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE - SHADOWS IN THE LIGHT

  Nia stumbled slightly as she stepped off the yacht, her legs still adjusting to solid ground after days at sea. Helia, her coworker and newfound friend, steadied her with a laugh. "Careful there, sea legs," Helia teased. "You know, I'm heading to Queens. Why don't we share a cab?" Nia nodded gratefully. "That'd be great, thanks." As they settled into the back of the yellow taxi, Helia nudged Nia's shoulder. "So, spill. What happened with you and the boss man at the masquerade?" Nia felt her cheeks flush. "Nothing! I mean... it was just a dance." "Uh-huh," Helia said, unconvinced. "And that's why you two disappeared onto the deck for an hour?" Nia turned to look out the window, watching the city lights blur past. "It was... complicated," she murmured. Helia's voice softened. "Hey, I get it. Just be careful, okay? Office romances can be tricky." Nia nodded, her mind drifting back to the moonlit kiss she'd shared with Leon. The warmth of his lips, the gentleness of his touch –