If Ever(64)

I grin. "Oh, yeah."

We're dancing to the Black-Eyed Peas party anthem, "I’ve Got a Feeling." It's the perfect number to top off our journey together. We start off with just the two of us, and after a few bars toss our top hats and are joined by Pavel and Carlos.

The pace builds and we're joined by two more troupe guys. Then we move into the trick section where I'm guided as I walk over the backs of the troupe, I'm flipped backwards and then forward and onto my feet, Dominic spins me and dips me, my head nearly skims the floor.

I'm exhilarated as they toss me into Dominic's arms. He catches me, we do a few cha cha moves before I spin out. Dominic has snuck in a little jive, a little rumba, and a whole lot of fun. I think of Tom as we amp to the next level and can't stop smiling.

The music builds and the momentum takes off as two more guys join us. In a V formation with me in the front, we move forward in some of my favorite moves of the season including a little hip-hop. I can't help grinning as we whip from one sequence to the next. The lyrics mirror my emotions. Tonight's gonna be a good night!

As we hit the final steps, a spray of pyrotechnics shoot off behind us. I'm launched onto Dominic's shoulder, and the backup guys surround us in a spectacular fan.

The audience leaps to their feet with applause. Dominic sets me down and hugs me as the other guys pound us on the back because we nailed it. The ballroom is loud and chaotic with lights and cheering. I search for the camera with the red light, the one that's shooting us live. When I spot it, I grin and blow a kiss. I know it's cheesy, but I can't help myself. Somewhere, three thousand miles away, Tom is watching.





*





"Oh my God, did she just blow you a kiss on national television?" Paige exclaims.

I can't hide my shit-eating grin. "Yeah." Leave it to Chelsea to include me during her big moment. My eyes are glued on her as she and Dominic walk to the judges. I was wringing my hands and sweating during the entire number, but it was wild perfection. The awkward chaos I saw of them rehearsing last Thursday was replaced with a fine-tuned, high-energy masterpiece. She danced her ass off, shaking her booty and flipping her hair with the best of them.

The judges' comments include things like, "everything a freestyle finale should be," "best dance of the night," and "the dark horse takes the lead!" The show goes to commercial break and Paige and the rest of the room cheer.

"Chelsea was phenomenal. How'd they pull that off when they didn't even know they were in the finals until late?" Paige's husband Greg says.

"Dominic is a genius," I say, but deep down I think it's Chelsea's unshakable work ethic. While she liked to mutter her complaints, she never backed down or quit when the going got tough.

"Shit, man. I had no idea she looked like that! What the hell does she see in you?" Max says.

"Hell if I know." I grin, bursting with pride.

Paige brings me another gin and tonic, as if knowing this night has probably been more nerve wracking for me than for Chelsea.

The show comes back from commercial break. The judges' scores come in. Perfect tens across the board. As Dominic and Chelsea jump up and down in L.A., all of us at Paige's do our own hoots of approval, knocking over the bowl of chips and spilling drinks.

I fish my phone off the cluttered coffee table and text her. Thanks for the kiss. Ten seconds later my phone rings. The amused eyes of my friends are on me as I glance at the screen. I smirk like an idiot and take the call in the kitchen. "You were smashing!"

"I can't believe it! I never expected it to be so much fun."

"You looked beautiful. I wish I were there with you."

"Only thirty-six more hours," she says.

I laugh. "You're keeping track?"

"Of course. I've gotta go."

I barely say goodbye and she's gone, but not for long.





*





“I’ll be shipping home a couple of boxes. I won’t be needing sandals and shorts in New York,” I say to Anna Tuesday morning as I toss items into a shipping box.

“So you’re going to stay with your Broadway boy?"

“I don’t really know yet. I fly to New York after the finale and then I’ll be seeing Tom. Lord only knows what happens next.” But I have a good feeling and I miss him so much.

“Logically speaking, I’d say a jump in the sack?” she says.

“Anna!”

“He’s going to make his move.”

“I don’t know.” I grab a soda and realize I still need to empty the fridge before I leave.

“Shit,” Anna says. “Is he gay? It makes total sense. Most Broadway performers are.”

I straighten up. “He’s not gay. Why do people keep saying that?”

“He sings and dances. He could be. Half the guys on Celebrity Dance Off are,” she argues.

My thoughts turn to his kisses that leave me a breathless mess. “He’s straight. Okay?”

“You already slept with him!” she says accusingly.

“No! We barely know each other.”

“Um, I disagree. Haven’t you seen him a half dozen different times now and you’ve been talking to him every day for the past four weeks, five weeks, I’ve lost count. I hope you’re taking date underwear.”