He looked her up and down. “All right, mortal. You want chocolate? Give me your hands.”
She backed up, holding her hands out of reach.
“I’m not going to bite you, Erin. Trust me.”
Erin relented and placed her hands in his. Even in the dream, his hands felt unusually warm.
“Now. Think about a box of chocolate. Think about the best chocolate you’ve ever tasted. Imagine the pieces arrayed in a beautiful box just for you. Aren’t they pretty? Like shiny, edible jewels with colorful fillings. Can you see it?”
Erin nodded.
“This is your dream. You’re in control. Imagine the box.”
A splendid box appeared between them, hovering in mid-air.
“Take it.”
Erin released Andy’s hands and took the box. “How did you do that?”
Andy shook his head. “I didn’t. You did. I just helped you get the hang of it.”
She eagerly lifted the lid of the box. Sure enough, it brimmed with chocolate bonbons of every kind. “Can I eat them?”
“This is your dream. You can do anything you want.”
Erin bit into one and felt the chocolate melt on her tongue. “It’s delicious!”
He smiled. “Of course it is. You made it, after all.”
“Do you want to try one?”
Her suggestion brought an adorable look of surprise to his face. “Sure, if I may.”
She selected a round piece, the shape reminiscent of a chocolate-covered cherry, and held it out to him.
He took it and popped it into his mouth whole.
Without warning, light illuminated the house as if it were a stage. Lightning flickered outside, followed by the crackle of thunder.
“Oh, God—not now,” said Erin, with pure dread in her voice. She closed the box and tucked it under her arm.
“What is it?”
Erin shook her head. “You’ll see.”
Another dream-Erin stormed into the room. “How could you do this to me? You said you loved me!”
Dream-Mark followed her. “I’m sorry, Erin. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“How can you even say that?”
“It just happened, okay?”
“Do I look stupid? Nothing ‘just happens,’ Mark. And with Genevieve? My best friend? For God’s sake!”
“Neither of us meant to hurt you.”
“That’s rich!”
