‘Perfect,’ Jake assured me as the limo driver opened the car door for us. Jake gestured for me to go ahead so I slid across the leather seat and Jake climbed in next to me. When the limo door shut, Jake reached for my hand and rubbed his thumb across it. It helped a little bit. I looked out of the window at the city lights twinkling around us. I had asked for a New York moment but suddenly, it felt like a whole lot of pressure. As if we had to have a magical night together or we would fail. I shifted on the leather seat.

Jake looked across at me and frowned. Then he leaned in close to my ear to speak. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I don’t know,’ I admitted.

‘Hmm. Would you prefer to do something else?’

I turned in surprise. ‘But you said you’ve booked a table?’

‘Yeah, but I’ll cancel it. I just thought when you said you wanted tonight to be special, you meant this…’ He tapped the leather seat with the hand that wasn’t touching mine. ‘A limo, a fancy dinner but…’ Jake leaned forward and spoke to the driver. The car took a quick turn. ‘I have a better idea.’

‘You do?’ I asked, intrigued. Jake threw me a wink and I chuckled, wondering what he was planning now. The limo soon pulled up and I looked out. We were just parked on the street; I couldn’t see anything special around us. ‘Where are we?’

‘Come on, you’ll see,’ Jake said, jumping out as the driver came around to my side to open the door for me. I climbed out and Jake took my hand again. He led me to a tiny pizza place. ‘This is the best pizza I’ve found in New York. Want to try it?’

I stared at the neon sign, thinking this was a long way from the fancy restaurant I had been picturing he was taking me to. I felt suddenly relieved, though. This was much less pressure. And much more me. ‘Yes, please.’

Jake smiled. ‘Great.’

We went inside and a delicious smell hit me along with the warmth. It was busy; people were waiting and the staff behind the counter were rushing around.

‘What would you like?’ Jake asked as I studied the menu.

‘Surprise me.’

‘Okay.’ He joined the queue and I leaned against the wall. As I waited for him, I touched the up-do hairstyle I had done. It didn’t feel right now. Maybe it hadn’t ever felt right really. I pulled at the bobby pins and they fell out. I put them in my handbag and ran my fingers through my hair, letting it fall down over my shoulders. I breathed out, feeling more like myself instantly.

After Jake had given our order, he joined me and reached out to touch my hair. ‘It’s such a pretty colour.’