Canada's summer night was wrapped in an impenetrable wave of carnival heat.
Queen Street West's cobblestones were packed with people. Colored confetti fluttered through the air like shattered neon, while a street performer's saxophone intertwined with the crowd's cheers.
"Baby" was playing on the street.
"You know you love me, I know you care."
(You know you love me, I know you care.)
"Just shout whenever and I'll be there."
(Just call out, and I'll be there right away.)
The sugary melody drifted into Li Dan's ears on the evening breeze. He turned to look at Angelique swaying gently to the rhythm beside him, a speck of freshly eaten maple syrup ice cream on the tip of her nose like a translucent amber bead.
Li Dan could not help laughing. He raised a hand to wipe away the sticky residue and teased her.
"This song is seriously addictive. It's making me want to shout 'baby' along with it."
Angelique raised an eyebrow and shot back, "Then shout, Your Majesty. Let everyone hear this handsome guy's confession."
The two had spent the entire day going wild in Canada, taking in the city's panoramic view from Toronto's CN Tower, experiencing the misty impact of Niagara Falls, and sampling French cuisine in the little taverns of Quebec Old Town.
Angelique was bursting with energy, dragging Li Dan through one attraction after another. Li Dan had always been easygoing, so he followed her pace and enjoyed this rare bit of leisure.
It was not until the night had deepened that the two boarded a flight back to North America.
By the time the plane landed at the airport, the horizon had only just begun to pale with dawn.
They returned to the villa in town.
After all that excitement, Angelique collapsed into bed