Page 15

“And now I’m walking back into the hotel,” I finish.

“Oh, it sounds so lovely.” She sounds wistful. “Send me all the pictures you take.”

“I will. I promise,” I say as I walk through the hotel door, nodding at the doorman. “And we’ll come again, when your leg is better. I’ll know all the good places to go.”

“Yes please.”

“Miss Ingram,” a voice calls from behind the desk. I turn to see the lady from this morning beckoning me over.

“Oh, I’ve got to go,” I tell Jennifer. “I think I’m probably about to get yelled at and thrown out.”

She laughs. “Well, it was good while it lasted. And you still have the details for the other hotel, right?”

“Yep.” Because I’m not stupid. “Talk later. And rest up.”

Once I hang up, I head toward the desk, fully expecting to be told the mistake has been solved. But instead, she holds out an envelope.

“You have a message,” she tells me as I take it from her. “Have a nice evening, madam.”

“Is it about my room? Did you sort that out?” I ask. It’s going to be so annoying checking out this late in the day. And having to get across London to my new hotel in the dark.

“Oh no,” she says, still smiling. “Your room is fine. Your cases are waiting for you up there.”

I blink. So they still haven’t figured out I’m staying for free. I guess I’ll just ride the wave until it happens. I’ve already canceled the budget hotel. I can always rebook if needed.

“Thank you.” I give her a nod and head to the elevator, slipping my finger through the gap in the envelope, pulling the flap open.

I pull out the plush paper, unfolding it to see a handwritten note. I scan it quickly, blinking as I read the looping scrawl.

Georgia,

I’d love to take you out to apologize for almost running you over. If you’d like to join me for dinner, a car will be waiting outside for you at 7:45.

Theo

A smile pulls at my lips as I re-read the words. I’m starting to think this whole trip is a hallucination. But no, there really is a letter in my hand, words written in black. He wants to have dinner with me, apparently. And I’m not averse to that at all.

But then another thought rushes into my mind. One that makes my brow crease into furrows.

How the heck does he know I’m still staying here?

5

GEORGIA

“You’re going,” Jennifer says, sounding suspiciously like she’s stuffing her face with food. “And that’s the end of it. I’m living my life vicariously through you, remember?”

“Hey!” I frown, looking at my reflection in the hotel room mirror. “You’re supposed to be my friend. Worried about my safety. Are you really telling me to get into a strange man’s car in a strange city because your ankle is broken and you’re bored?”

Jennifer clucks her tongue. “He’s not a strange man. He’s the piano player at the hotel. If he cuts you up into pieces, I’ll be able to send the police straight to his door.”

“But I’ll still be in pieces,” I point out.

She sighs. “Are you even dressed yet?”

It’s almost seven-thirty. And yes I’m dressed – in a belted black dress that’s a little too tight. I guess that’s what happens when you spend the months after being dumped eating your feelings. “I wasn’t planning on going just in my lingerie,” I say.

“Ooh, you’re wearing lingerie. That means you’re planning for an after party.”