Page 12 of If Ever

We glide through the intricate steps, all while I avoid Dominic's eyes. When the performance ends we're heaving to catch our breath. I sneak a guarded look. Dominic gives me a curt nod and we take our place before the judges, hands at our sides. The few inches between us might as well be miles.

"Well," Nikki LaFlash says. "That was one of the most unemotional dances I've ever seen. It's as if you were both on robotic auto control. Where was the partner interaction? You two might as well been on different planets."

But I got all the steps right. I'm sure of it.

Judge Stephen Harris says, "After seeing your package, it's no surprise you delivered such a lackluster performance. The tango is supposed to be about passion and chemistry. Instead you were side by side performing rote."

We take the beating like guilty children.

Brice Zimmer says, "It's clear Chelsea has natural talent, but her heart isn't in it. You two are so busy butting heads that you're missing out. If you make it through, which is unlikely after that performance, the only way you'll continue on is if you start working together."

Dismissed, we trudge our way across the dance floor to receive our scores. When I pass Hank, he says under his breath. "Screw 'em, hon." Which coaxes a smile out of me.

Julie Mason, the other announcer, on towering heels with overdrawn lips, pokes her microphone in my face. "Why aren't you and Dominic getting along?"

I stare at the microphone and then at the camera with its nasty little red light. "That's an excellent question, Julie," I say in my best faux media voice. When I refuse to say more, she moves on.

"Dominic, do you think bringing in a non celebrity is a mistake?"

My mouth drops open at her gall. Of course it was a mistake, but does she have to point it out to the world? I came into this with such high hopes that it would be a blast.

Dominic smiles and says in his silky television tone, "Not at all, Julie. It's a lot of pressure to be on this show, and sometimes fatigue gets in the way."

She cocks her head. "You're saying that being tired has kept you from developing chemistry with your partner?"

It's all I can do not to cross my arms and hitch my hip. I'd love to tell her where she can shove that microphone.

"Chelsea's a terrific dancer and we hope to be here next week," he lies. I fight back my snort.

"Let's take a look at your scores and see."

The scores come in as all sixes and every last shred of self-confidence I had goes up in smoke. These scores are way worse than last week's sevens.

Her mic appears in my face again. "How do you feel about the scores?"

I raise my eyebrows. "Honestly, it's humiliating."

"There you have it," she trills into the camera. "If you want to see Chelsea and Dominic next week, they really need your help."

"That's an understatement," I mutter as we make our way back to the dance floor and line up with the rest of the cast for the final wave off as the summary reel of each team's dance plays.

"Did you really have to say that?" Dominic says through his teeth behind me.

"What did you want me to do, lie?"

"It's television, not a police interrogation."

"Sorry, but lying doesn't roll off my lips like it does for you." The finale ends and the house lights come up. People begin to mill out of their seats.

"What the hell does that mean?" Dominic asks, reigning in his anger. The producers direct the dancers to their spots for the media rounds.

"Don't insult me by playing dumb," I say as Hank walks up.

Dominic shakes his head. "I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."

"How about how you hate being saddled with a nobody like me. That you deserved an A lister and I should go back to the farm where I belong?"

He has the decency to cringe. "You weren't supposed to hear that."

---