If Ever(56)

The snow is blowing sideways, the ground crews are bundled up in Parkas, and snowplows are working on distant runways. "Why do I have a feeling I'll be spending my day in the airport?"

"Don't jinx us."

"I'm not. I think it's inevitable." Not to mention that I'd love to be stranded in New York so that I can be with Tom. Just not at the airport.

"We have to get on a plane today because we have do the world's quickest costume consultation and production meetings. Not to mention we need two new numbers, one being the freestyle. If we don't win the freestyle, we don't win the show."

"You think we can win?" I ask skeptically as steaming plates of food are delivered.

"I always thought we could win," he says.

"No you didn't. Most of the time you thought we'd be sent home," I say, aiming my piece of bacon at him.

"Yeah, but not because you weren't good enough."

"Because I was a nobody."

"Well, you're not a nobody anymore." He hitches his head to the side where a group of girls with their phones take our picture.

After breakfast while Dominic updates Larry about our continued delays, I take a picture of the departure board listing more delayed flights than on time ones. I send the picture to Tom. He's probably still sleeping, which is what I wish I was doing, but last night was so worth it.

My phone rings, I startle, then smile and answer. "I hope I didn't wake you?"

"I left my phone on, hoping you’d call." His voice is low and groggy. I imagine him stretching in bed. "Doesn't look like you're getting out of the city anytime soon."

The crowd of travelers glaring at the departure board is growing in number. "Too bad I'm stuck at the airport."

"Don't I know it. If you were here, I'd take you to Central Park to play in the snow."

"That sounds nice, but I don't really have the clothes for it. In fact, other than my small carry-on, all my stuff is checked and probably buried in a snow drift on the tarmac."

"The weather channel doesn't seem to think it's going to let up anytime soon. Maybe you'll be back after all."

"I'd love that. Uh oh, here comes Dominic with one of his determined looks. I better go."

"Call me later with an update."

"Promise." I slide my phone into my purse.

"Well, the weather isn't letting up, but I heard they're trying to keep two runways open."

"So..."

"So, we keep waiting. I'm set up to get flight updates and until it's canceled, we keep our fingers crossed."

"Great. That means I get to find a corner and take a nap?"

"Ha ha!" He laughs, then snaps, "No. We'll find a corner and start working on our freestyle."

"Here?" I glance around at the crowds of people.

"Never underestimate me. I found a dead end corridor away from the gates."

I frown. A nap sounds much more appealing.

"Cheer up. It'll be fun!" he says with false bravado.

Within ten minutes our coats and carry-ons are piled in a corner next to my boots. Dominic is walking me through the first sequence with the turns and hand holds. Apparently he stayed up most of the night working out choreography.

It doesn't take long before sweat rolls down my back and my hair sticks to my neck and forehead. A small crowd has gathered to watch my torture, snapping pictures and video.

We smile at them as if this is all great fun. "Can't you ask them to stop?" I beg Dominic.

"We need all the publicity we can get. Think of these people as voters. Now smile and play nice." He spins me into a dip and grins at the cameras.

"Have I mentioned lately how much I don't like you?" I mutter through clenched teeth while faking a smile.

He's sweating profusely too, which improves my mood a little. "Come on. You're living the dream."

"It might be someone's dream, but it sure isn't mine," I complain, longing for a pillow and a bed.

"Sure it is. You just refuse to admit it." He grins and we run the opening sequence along with the next one until he's satisfied I've committed it to memory.

After an hour, I collapse against the wall for a water break. Dominic slides down next to me checking his phone. "Well, there's good news and bad news."

"Lay it on me." I consider stretching out on the cool tile floor but then rethink it when I see how dirty it is.

"The good news is you might get to see a certain sweet talking Brit again soon."

"Really?" I perk up, my exhaustion forgotten for the moment.

"The bad news is that not only is our flight officially canceled, so is every other flight today. We're going to have a hell of a time getting out of here even tomorrow."

But all I heard him say was that I'd get to see Tom.





The line for a cab winds around like a mile-long serpent. After shivering in the blizzard conditions until I no longer feel my fingers, L.A. is sounding pretty good. We finally climb into a warm cab and limp back to the city in snowy traffic.

Dominic is still in business mode on another phone call, but I'm hoping for a nap. I'm grossly disappointed when we pull up in front of a building in an area I've never seen before.