“No thanks,” she replied. “I’ve already brushed my teeth.”
She heard murmuring outside. There must be two attendants.
“Ma’am, it’s chocolate pecan pie. I’ll have to throw it away if you don’t eat it.”
Her mouth watered at the thought, but she really didn’t want to have to brush her teeth again.
“You can give my piece to someone else, then.”
More murmuring voices.
“If you don’t accept this room service, I could lose my job.”
“Oh for goodness’ sake! I’ll take it, but I don’t have change for a tip.”
The relief was obvious in his tone. “That’s okay. I don’t need a tip.”
She opened the door and a twentyish man with short brown hair handed her a large plate with a silver lid. She thanked him and set the plate on her bed while she relocked the door. Turning to face the plate, she stared at it as if it were the enemy. Maybe this co
uld be the day she turned over a new leaf. If she could resist this piece of chocolate pecan pie, it would show she had willpower. She could change to a healthy diet and exercise every day. And these new goals would give her something to work toward.
From this day on, I’m a new person. I’ll get a new job and lose weight and get in shape. And some day, when I run into Finn Anderson again, he’ll wish he hadn’t turned me down.
Without looking under the lid, she shoved the entire plate on the floor under her bed. Pulling her covers back, she climbed onto the crisp sheets and pulled the blanket up to her neck.
A knock sounded on her door. The room service man’s voice again. “Ma’am?” Another knock. “Ma’am.”
“What do you need now?” she called, refusing to get out of her bed.
“Have you eaten your pie yet?”
“No. I’m saving it for tomorrow,” she snapped. “Thank you. Good night.”
Another set of knocks. “Ma’am? If you wouldn’t mind eating it now, I need to take the plate back.”
Frustrated, Laurie threw back the covers and crawled out of bed. She snatched the pie from the floor and stepped over to her tiny trashcan. Before she could change her mind, she lifted the silver lid and dumped the pie into the trash.
Only it wasn’t a piece of pie… it was a pile of diamonds.
The plate slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor. She didn’t even realize she was screaming until loud knocking and excited shouts broke through her consciousness.
Knock. Knock. Knock. “Open the door.” Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. “Open the door.”
With trembling fingers she opened the lock, wondering if she would be accused of stealing the diamonds. Strong arms wrapped around her, stroking her hair.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I wanted it to be a fun surprise.”
Somehow, Finn was there, holding her in his arms. Laurie knew she was in a dream. But it was a nice dream, so she didn’t want to wake up. She kept her eyes closed and let herself enjoy the sensation. Never mind that it wasn’t real. Her dream even smelled like Finn—his heady, intoxicating scent. She burrowed against him, humming in her sleep.
“Laurie? Are you okay?”
The arms released her and hands seemed to cup her face, lifting her chin. Her mind was trying to wake up, but she resisted, squeezing her eyes tighter.
“Laurie? Say something.”
Warm lips brushed her eyelids. It felt so real, her eyes popped open.
“Finn? Is that really you?”