Page 42 of If Ever

Two hours later, I’m bummed that Tom left without saying goodbye. Dominic and I arrive at the rehearsal hall to start working on our dance for next week.

"Chelsea, hold up."

I turn and Tom is jogging across the parking lot while a cab idles at the curb.

"I'll meet you inside," Dominic says with a smirk.

I dip my head. "Thanks."

"Hey, I was afraid I'd missed you," Tom says, out of breath.

"Me too. I didn't see you after the show."

"I waited around for a while, but you guys had a long line of interviews. I ducked out to grab my bag and when I came back you were gone."

"When is your flight?"

He pulls out his phone. "In little over an hour."

"You're cutting it close."

"I couldn't leave until I saw you one last time." He kicks at a pebble on the ground.

My heart soars, and I try to tone down my smile. I lean against the brick wall.

He places his hand on the wall beside my head and leans close. He's about to say something, but then pushes away from the wall. "I should go."

"Okay," I say, but he doesn't move. His blue eyes lock with mine, and he slides his hand along my jaw, grazing my neck as he weaves his fingers into my hair.

My breath catches. He leans in and tenderly captures my mouth and kisses me. After a lingering moment he pulls away a fraction and gazes into my eyes.

I sigh.

"Oh, hell," he breathes, and pulls me into his arms, this time kissing me deeply, igniting a fire that has long been squelched. My arms are trapped against his chest. I feel the rapid beat of his heart as I savor the taste of his lips.

A flash goes off, and there's applause and catcalls. We look up to find half the cast watching.

He reveals a boyish grin, the sweetest one I've seen yet. "I really do have to go. I hate to leave you alone to face their ribbing, but get some solace, because after kissing you, I won't be able to think straight for a long time."

My head's swimming in the emotional deep end of the pool. My pulse is racing from the effect of his kisses, and I'm at a loss for words.

He waits for my response, but when I'm quiet, he says, "All right, then." And heads for his waiting cab.

"Tom!" I call. He stops and I run into his arms. He kisses me one last time.

"Girl, you're killing me." He releases me, steps into his cab, and speeds away.

I watch the disappearing taillights happier and more confused than I've been in a very long time. Now what? I still don't have his number. Will I ever see him again?

Dominic and the others are waiting when I drag myself into the rehearsal hall. I feel the blush burning my cheeks.

"Looks like you were having a good time. Thanks for making the rest of us lonely saps feel worse about ourselves," says Tedrick.

I head off to our rehearsal room with Dominic. "What the hell just happened?" I ask.

"Seriously?" He cocks his head. "Do I really need to explain to you why a boy kisses a girl?" Dominic laughs, opening the door.

"But it doesn't make sense." He started something then left it hanging. He lives three thousand miles away. What am I supposed to do with that? I need to talk to Anna.

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