So I'm actually off to New York March 30th. Has anyone been? Any recommendations for restaurants, bars, shops, sights etc.?

I followed his gaze and my face fell. There, in the middle of Times Square, was an advert for Hollister, showing a model in a bikini and a model in swimming trunks. Their arms were round each other and they were gazing each other.

It was Sam and I.

My heart sank and I felt nausea sweep over me. Zed was still wide-eyed with horror and I knew my face had lost all colour. I wasn't embarrassed. It was beyond that. I was mortified. Especially as Sam had tried to break up Zed and I not that long ago. Our friends stood awkwardly, looking around Times Square, uncertain what they should say. The advert disappeared and was replaced by an advert for Macy's. But what was done was done.

'Zed I-'

'We have a dinner reservation we don't want to miss.' He led the way to the restaurant, the rest of us trailing behind him.

It will be okay, Phee said in my head. It's not like anything happened and he's done worse.

It still didn't make me feel any better about myself. Of all the photographs taken that day in the freezing cold, that was one that I really didn't want to see on an IMAX-sized screen. The money from that advert had contributed towards the wedding.

Dinner was awkward. The atmosphere felt chilling and I only managed to eat a salad. Jenni and Phee tried their best to make small talk, but I knew the night was ruined and it was going to be all my fault.

'So er... where are we heading?' George asked with uncertainty.

'A rooftop bar, wasn't it?' Jenni smiled, awkwardly.

'Yeah, there's a nice place not too far from here.' Yves looked at Zed, who nodded, before continuing. 'Why don't we head over?'

'Sky and I will meet you there.' Zed said. It wasn't a suggestion. His voice was full of certainty. Bile burned my throat.

I watched as our friends put on their jackets, smiled sympathetically, and made their way out of the restaurant. I followed Zed to the bar area, where we sat in a booth together. He ordered himself a beer and a glass of white wine for me, his eyes glazed over.

I broke the silence. 'Zed I'm sorry.'

'Did something happen?' He paused. 'Between the two of you?'

'Of course not.' I frowned. 'I wouldn't do that to you and Sam was always just a friend.'

'But he doesn't see you that way.' His voice was sad.

'What?'

'It's clear he's in love with you Sky. No one would be that protective unless they loved someone. He was following you around for months.'

'Well what does it matter? We're not even friends anymore, he screwed up when he started stalking me.'

'So nothing happened?'

'No.' I was hurt he would think that it had. My eyes watered and I bit my lip so that I didn't cry. 'I just listened to what the director said. I wanted the money for our wedding. I can't stand that you pay for everything. It makes me feel guilty and useless.' I took a deep breath. 'That day was horrible. I was barked at by a photographer and director and I was freezing cold and uncomfortable. I hated it. And I hate that there's always something in the way of us. Finally, I said to the girls today, things were going well. Now there's something else that's screwed it up again.' I sucked in a deep breath, but a tear escaped down my cheek.

'I hate it too.' He replied, his voice quiet. 'I hate that one of us is always in pain. This soulfinder business sucks.'

I flinched. 'What?'

'Well mom and dad always said it was easy. You found them, you fell in love and then you could be happy together.'

'You're not happy with me?' My vision blurred and my heart ached; I was going to have to send back the wedding dress. The bridesmaid dress. Cancel the venue. Call all of our friends and relatives. It was over.

'I am happy with you. But like you said, it's just one thing after another and we just keep fighting.'

'Are you...b-breaking up with me?' My voice was hoarse.

His eyes widened. 'Of course I'm not. Sky, you're my soulfinder, we can't break up. We're supposed to be together.'

'But do you wish I wasn't your soulfinder?'

'I wish that things were easier. That fate would just let us be together without all the drama.'

'I'm sorry.'

'I'm sorry too.' He held out his hand and intertwined it with mine. 'If you say that nothing happened, then I believe you. I just wish it was me up there with you, you know? We don't have any fancy photos together.'

'No, we don't.' I agreed.

'Maybe I'll add that to the list of things to do when we get back. Hire a photographer and get some engagement photos together.' He smiled and kissed my hand softly. 'I hate seeing you cry.'

'Has my make-up smudged?'

'Nope. You still look beautiful as ever.' He smiled a lop-sided grin at me. 'And I like the outfit too. You never would have dressed like this when we first got together.'

'I know.' I raised an eyebrow. 'But when your soulfinder thinks he's badass you have to humour him by joining in.'

'I am badass.'

'You wish.' I stood up. 'Now come on, we've got a bar to get to.'

He downed his beer and took his hand in mine, and we headed off into the city.

The next day I woke up to find myself lying in my bed in my not-matching underwear from the night before. I rolled over, but Zed wasn't there. Then the throbbing in my head started. How much had I had to drink? I didn't even remember getting home. I remembered being at the fancy rooftop bar and then going somewhere else afterwards with karaoke... oh no... karaoke. That explained the dry feeling in my throat. I groaned, grabbed some skinny jeans and a vest top, and climbed into the shower in the ensuite bathroom. I felt a bit more refreshed after, but my head was still killing. I heard the familiar baby cry and I held my hand to my head. That wasn't going to help matters. Throwing my hair back into a loose bun and quickly putting on some make-up to hide the redness of my eyes, I headed into the kitchen.

Phee was feeding Luna and Yves was stood by the oven, cooking pancakes. Yum.

'Good morning.' He smiled as I sat on a stool next to the kitchen island.

'Good morning.' I replied. 'Where's Zed?'

'He popped out to run some errands.' Yves replied.

'Errands?'

I recieved no response. Instead, Yves and Phee simply smiled at each other.

'How are you feeling?' Phee asked. 'You were pretty wild last night.'

'Well I remember up to the karaoke bar...'

'You don't remember dancing on the bar then?'

'WHAT?!'

'Ouch my head. Yeah you went pretty crazy.' Yves laughed. 'Pancakes?'

'Please.' I hid my face in my hands. 'How embarrassing.'

'You've got a good voice.' Phee smiled as she gently burped Luna over her shoulder. 'You should use it when you're sober.'

'Yeah, right.' I scoffed. 'Now where is my fiance?'

'If we told you we'd have to kill you.' Yves replied, dishing up some pancakes for me and passing me the syrup.

'Seriously... pleaseee.'

'Nope, we're not cracking.' Phee shook her head. 'Now get a move on will you, or you'll be late.'

My phone buzzed, making me jump.

Meet me at The Boathouse in Central Park in an hour. Love you, Z xxx

'Central Park in an hour? Seriously, what is he up to?'

Phee smiled. 'Just make sure you take a coat with you, it's quite cool outside today.'

Phee wasn't kidding. It was a cool spring day in New York and there wasn't a single cloud in the blue sky. I caught the subway up to Central Park and, like a tourist, followed the signs towards The Boathouse. The size of Central Park was always a surprise; it was much bigger than you expected and there were signposts in every direction. Birds flew through the air, singing happily, and you could hear the sound of children's laughter as they played ballgames on the grass. I reached the restaurant I had eaten in the previous day and Zed was stood there in black jeans and a blue checked shirt with a tie, holding a straw picnic basket. I was suddenly glad I had changed into my blue fifties-style dress with red cherries on it, a red cardigan and my cream fake-fur coat.

'Hey beautiful.' He kissed me softly on the lips. 'You're very dressed up.'

'So are you.' I smiled. 'What's with the basket?'

'You'll see. Ah, there's our ride.'

My eyes widened. 'Are you talking about that bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage?'

'Which one do you think?' He grinned. He grabbed my hand with his free hand and led me to the carriage. He carefully helped me up the step and I slid over the seat so that he had room to sit down. Zed put his arm around me. 'Thanks Bernie, we're ready to go now.'

I had never been in a horse-drawn carriage. I felt like a princess. Bernie told us about the history of different areas of Central Park and I admired the bridges, the reservoir and everything else around me. We stopped at Belvedere Castle, which looked as if it should have been in Italy, and admired the views of the park and the city from it. Our final stop was Bethesda Terrace, the 'heart' of Central Park. It overlooked the lake and the ceiling of the mall was full of wonderful detail. Zed tipped Bernie and after thanking him, we sat ourselves by the fountain with our picnic basket.

'That was incredible, thank you.'

'The day isn't over yet.' Zed smiled. 'I feel like we don't go on dates anymore and I felt awful for upsetting you yesterday. I've heard New York is a pretty romantic spot when it comes to dates.'

'It is.' I smiled in agreement. Now it had passed midday, it was slighty warmer, although I was still glad I had brought a coat with me. Zed poured orange juice into our plastic champagne glasses and handed me a sandwich. He had thought through every small detail; sandwiches, cupcakes, potato salad, cheese. It was a small feast and I felt guilty that I had filled up on Yves' pancakes. I gobbled up as much as I could without being sick, and then Zed and I walked through the park.

'So where are we off to next?' I asked as Zed squeezed my hand and smiled at me, lovingly.

'If I told you that, I'd have to kill you.' He winked, pulling our hands up to his mouth and kissing mine.

At sunset, we found ourselves on Top of the Rock. Stood on the 70th floor of the Rockerfellar Centre was a beautiful sight. The horizon stretched far into the distance and it looked like the sky was on fire with the ombre orange, red and yellow sky. In the distance we could see the Empire State Building, stretching high into the sky, and the Hudson River, which seemed to glow like the sky. Central Park fell below us, the skyscrapers sinking into the greenery and lakes in-between it. As the sun fell further and further into the horizons, millions of lights filled the horizon as buildings prepared themselves for nighttime.

Zed wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. 'I love you Sky, my soulfinder. I have never loved anyone as much as I have loved you and I never will. I can't wait to have you as my wife.'

I smiled and felt my cheeks blushing. 'I love you too.'

He closed the gap between our faces, kissing me passionately. As we kissed, with the sun setting behind us, he lifted me off the ground to pull me closer. It was perfect.