Everything was perfect. The candles were lit, the table set. Roses lined a petal-pink trail from the door to the dining room.

I heard her car pull up and I ran to press play on the stereo. Violins began to fill the room like so many brightly feathered birds. I straightened my tie, patted my pocket to make sure the small velvet box was still there.

Then she opened the door and walked in. She blinked at the dim candle-light. “What’s going on, Eric?” A half-smile on her face as she closed the door and noticed the petals.

“I thought you deserved a nice dinner for a change. You work so hard..” My voice trailed off, unsure.

“Oh wow,” she breathed, as she suddenly noticed the candle-lit dinner waiting for her.

She drifted towards me and laced her arms around my neck. “You didn’t have to do this, Steve.”

It was like a glass of ice-cold water had been dropped over my head. I heard her intake of breath. It sounded like it was coming from a million miles away. I pulled back slowly.

“What did you just say?”