Page 17 (1/2)

Perhaps she was living in a fool’s garden, not thinking about the future Frankly, she didn’t care what chances anyone gave their relationship Finn felt as ed clothes but kept her cell phone handy, hoping to hear the ding that would tell her she had a text e The earlier one she’d sent him remained unanswered Perhaps he’d returned to the lake cabin, but it seemed he would have mentioned it, if that was the case

Once she refreshed her lanced out theand saw that the snohich had been threatening most of the afternoon, had started to fall in thick flakes With the holidays so close, everyone seeotten three invitations to parties and other social events from friends Sophie had invited Carrie to join her fa she would be alone, even Harry had extended an invite Carrie had declined both invitations, feeling she would be an add-on She would have her own Thanksgiving, she decided, and make the best of it by herself

The last time she’d seen snow she’d been with Finn and Hennessey The reminder made her miss theer, she reached for her cell and typed out with practiced ease Miss you

Alot a response Good

Where have you been all day? Finn had to know she’d been anxiously waiting to hear froht?

In the air? That didn’t ht to Fairbanks from his cabin was less than thirty rinned, and a war here;in Chicago

You know it’s snowing?????

Big, fat flakes

Carrie gasped, and her fingers ency across the tiny alphabet on her cell phone Finn, where are you?

Chicago

She hardly had time to take in the fact that Finn was in town before her phone rang She hit the answer button so hard the cell nearly dropped out of her hands

"Surprise," he whispered

Carrie wanted to laugh and cry at the sah because she was so happy and excited and then weep because she had this stupid date and wouldn’t be able to see hi

"Where are you?"

He named a local hotel about two blocks fro here I didn’t want you to be alone over Thanksgiving"

"I don’t care if it’s crazy or not; I’m too happy to care" Carrie just hoped she didn’t e into his arain He hadn’t said a word that he was planning this Not a single solitary word

"Do you still have to go to the theater?" he asked, and then instantly withdrew the question "Forget I asked Of course you do I’ll be here at the hotel waiting, and when you get back to your apart Dave’s arrival "I hope you realize this is torture," she told Finn on her way to answer the front door

"For you or forto get through this evening, knowing Finn was in town

"Go It’ll be fine," Finn encouraged her

"Okay, but you’re going to suffer for doing this to me"

He chuckled and ended the call

Carrie took a moment to compose herself before she opened the door Dave was i He really was an attractive s for hi for her in his hotel rooine

The Christotten rave reviews, didn’t hold Carrie’s attention, but to be fair, she doubted she would have appreciated anything outside of a five-alarh she felt it was only fair to tell Dave that she’d one beyond friendship, and he took her neell

Straight from the theater, Dave drove her to her home and briefly parked outside the condo complex The snow had stopped, but traffic was athat he didn’t need to see her up She thanked hi, and then before she clied hirateful for his friendship

"I hope it works with you and the other guy," he said, and didn’t sees

"I do, too" Carrie wished that uy"

"I’ll let hi out of the car, she gathered her coat ’s entrance Dave waited until she was inside the foyer, and Carrie waved before he drove off The instant he was out of sight, she opened her clutch to retrieve her cell phone Right away, she sent Finn a text

I’ on the other side of the building’s glass door For a moment, all she could do was stare at him She shivered with the cold, but he wore no jacket All he had on was a yellow-and-black plaid shirt, jeans, and boots In her entire life she’d never seen ato the locked security door, she opened it for him Even before he was inside, she rapped in his e hiht away, Finn swept her off her feet With his arled several inches off the ground With her hands fraet enough, as if they ht in the center of the lobby

Aand joy "Ms Slayton? Ms Slayton?"

Reluctantly, Carrie ended the kiss and looked over her shoulder to find Lester, the security guard, closely studying her

"You know this man?" Lester asked

She smiled and nodded "Lester, this is--"

Finn released her and stretched out his hand to the guard "Paul Paul Dalton"

"Glad to ize if I was rude earlier"