If Ever(35)

He holds up a hand. "But be careful if you ever discover one."

"Why's that?" I ask, intrigued.

"Because they're skittish and startle easily. They bolt in the blink of an eye."

Paige brushes off his story. "Tom, I know what you need to do."

"And what's that?" I ask, because I'm at wits end and need my life back.

"You have to go see her."

"In L.A.?" I shake my head. "I could never."

She arches an eyebrow and smiles. "Couldn't you?"





Los Angeles





By the time I arrive at the sound stage, my palms are sweaty. I get out of the cab with my backpack and stare at the stage door. What the hell am I going to say?

After a minute, I pull out my phone and text her. "Have time for a break?" I hit send. How long before she looks at her phone? What if it's hours? And what if Dominic says they're too busy for Chelsea to see me on a show day? He's a strong bloke, but I think I could take him.

I start obsessing about a whole new set of obstacles when a familiar gruff voice says, "Well, look who's back."

"Hank! How are you?" We shake hands.

"Sneaking out for a smoke. What brings you to this neck of the woods?" I hesitate and then Hank says, "Not that I need to ask."

I sigh. "Am I that obvious?"

"Afraid so. But hell, life's short." His eyes twinkle. "So why are you standing out here like a kid with his face pressed to the candy store window?"

"I haven't figured out how to get in to see her."

"Hold tight and I'll handle it." He snubs out his cigarette.

I glance at the closed sound stage door. "I hate to interrupt her rehearsal."

Hank smacks me on the back and chuckles. "No you don't."

I grin. He's right. "Thanks, Hank."

With hands deep in my pockets, I hope my twenty-four-hour impulse trip isn't a colossal mistake. Time passes and I wonder what Hank's doing. Has it been thirty minutes or thirty seconds? And then the door swings opens and a gorgeous girl dressed in a filmy harem costume appears. I do a double take. "Chelsea?"

"Oh my God, Tom!"

Chelsea's smile melts away all doubts about spending an ungodly amount of money to visit. Her golden hair is twisted through a little round hat on top of her head with a long ponytail flowing down her back. A sheer scarf dangles from one ear to the other.

She rushes over and my arms automatically wrap around her slim waist with my hands skimming the bare skin of her lower back. She smells like a daydream.

"What are you doing here?" She says stepping back.

Shit, I never thought to come up with an excuse, but then I'm distracted by her adorable belly button, revealed by the hip hugging harem pants. "Oh, I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd swing by."

"I can't believe this," she bubbles.

Her infectious smile is everything I remember and more. And yet, even after all our phone calls and despite the fact she just launched herself into my arms, she peeks up at me with a sweet shyness.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"And miss seeing that smile? Never. You look amazing in that costume." I admire the gold fringe caressing her bare midriff.

"Are you sure? I feel like a fool."

I take her hands and hold them out so I can get a better look at her low-cut bodice and sexy pants with a slit in the transparent fabric from hip to ankle. "You are going to steal the show in that. Own it."

"I'm trying, but it's kind of revealing." She covers her bare stomach with her arms, which creates more cleavage.

I grin and nod my appreciation. Chelsea blushes, which makes her even more endearing. "You look phenomenal." I don't want to make her uncomfortable so I change the subject. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"It's our trickiest number yet, but I think I'm getting it. How long are you here for?"

"I take the red eye back tonight."

A spark of disappointment flashes across her face. "The red eye? Wow. This must be an important visit."

If she only knew. "I had some business I had to take care of. I couldn't resist dropping by." I keep a straight face, acting like it's totally normal for me to fly to L.A. and back in a single day.

"I wish I didn't have to finish dress rehearsal. But after that I think I'm free until show time, if you can hang around."

She looks so damn spectacular and all I want is to steal her away. "I'd love to." Her eyes dance with excitement, which only bolsters my confidence that I was right to make this insane trip.

"Let me double check with Dominic, because I never know if he has something last minute, but now that you're here, there's no way he can say no."

"I'll take whatever time you've got." I want to kiss her, but she's got that enticing veil across her face.

"We're almost done with dress rehearsal. You can wait in my trailer if you want. Shoot! It's totally trashed, I never have visitors."

"I don't mind."

"And if you want to come to the show tonight, I can get you in." She pauses and then says more softly. "I've only had friends here one other time."