Daphne's heart fluttered as she stared into the emerald green eyes of the handsome man before her. Even now she could hardly believe that she was here. It had been a very long time since she'd been this comfortable with a man, let alone a man like John. He was everything she'd ever dreamed of. She knew it sounded ridiculous but from the moment they met (quite by accident in the romance section of her favorite bookstore), she knew that they were destined to be together forever.

"What are you thinking about, Daphne?"
"Us." She said simply.

"Aw, Daph that's sweet, but-."

"But what?" She whispered, moving closer. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. She could never get enough of his kisses, no matter how hard she tried. They were like an addiction to which she wanted no cure.

But when he abruptly pulled out of her arms, she sensed that something was wrong.

"Are you all right?"

"Daphne, there's something I need to ask you."

Her breath caught in her throat. She'd imagined this moment so many times and now it was finally a reality. She just hoped it was as wonderful as she dreamed it would be.

And she wasn't alone in feeling that way. Mr. Crane and Dr. Crane were hoping that John would make a bold move. The thought that in just a few moments she'd no longer be considered single was the most amazing feeling in the world.

She glanced at the man she loved so much and smiled, grateful that he couldn't hear her uneven breathing or her rapid heartbeat. Her fingers entwined in his she stroked his hand with her thumb and then brought it to her lips for a kiss.

"Of course you can. You can ask me anything."

The pause that followed was almost unbearable.

"Daphne, I-."

"Yes?"

"I think we should stop seeing each other."

Her heart sank and the world seemed to have fallen down around her as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Wh-what?"

"Look, I'm sorry to spring it on you like this but I didn't know how else to say it."
"But-but you said you needed to ask me something!" She yelled. "That's hardly-."
"I know. I know and I'm sorry Daphne. I just think it's better this way. We've been getting way too serious too quickly."

"But... what about our plans... Th-the cruise? It was supposed to be so romantic. You said..."

Her eyes filled with tears and although she hated to cry in front of him, she no longer cared what he thought of her.

"Aw, Daph don't cry! You know it's for the best!" He was saying now. "You knew this wasn't going to last."

She cringed at his words, for only a few hours earlier he'd been telling her how much he loved her.

"No... I... thought it would last forever." She whispered hoarsely.

"Look, why don't I just take you home and I'll call you tomorrow?"

Daphne was appalled. "Don't bother!"

"Don't bother with what?"

"Calling me or taking me home!" She yelled. "I never want to see you again, John! Do you have any idea how much this hurts, hearing you say that you want to see other people? What about us?"

The tears were falling faster now and she made no attempt to hide them.

"Come on Daph, it's not like I was ever going to propose or anything! I mean how could you even think-."

He stopped suddenly when he caught a glimpse of her expression. "Oh God, you did think that didn't you?"

"What was I supposed to think? We've been seeing each other for over a year!" Her voice was a trembling whisper. "You didn't even remember our anniversary! It's tonight by the way. I thought this was..." She suppressed a sob, barely able to continue.

"Daphne-."

"Goodbye, John."

Against his protests, she hailed the nearest cab.

"Where to, lady?" the cab driver asked.

She hesitated for a moment. She couldn't tell the driver to take her home. Dr. Crane and Mr. Crane would surely be waiting up for her, eager to see her new engagement ring. But she wasn't about to be humiliated in her own home.

So instead she did the next best thing.