Page 56 of If Ever

The low restaurant lights cast a warm glow off the burnt orange walls. A candle flickers on the table. "I wish you could stay longer."

His hand covers mine. "So do I."

"Maybe I'll be voted off tomorrow night and I'll meet you in New York," I say. I don't want to get sent home, but I can't bear being away from Tom either. He caresses the back of my hand. If only we had more privacy, more time, and just... more.

"You and Dominic knocked it out of the park. You aren't going anywhere yet."

"Go figure. Just when I'm ready to get voted off, the judges finally decide they like me."

He grins, showing off his dimples. The warmth in his eyes makes me hope this is real. I think it is, but I've been wrong before.

Dominic appears with a beer. I snatch my hand away from Tom. "Aren't you the antisocial one," he teases, sliding in beside me.

My mouth drops open to comment, but then I realize he's just goading me, so I wrinkle my nose at him. "Just trying to escape and enjoy my margarita before you force me back into rehearsal."

"Good point." He helps himself to the chips and salsa.

"That dance tonight was genius," Tom says of Dominic's innovative choreography.

"Thanks. I think the judges are finally cutting us a break. They've been brutal all season."

"That's because they were never in favor of the America's chance to dance idea," I explain.

"I don't know about that," Tom says. Under the table his foot finds mine.

"So you were in town for a meeting. A new project?" Dominic asks.

I focus on the salsa dish.

"Yeah, and it looks promising." Tom smirks.

Dominic's phone rings. "Sorry, I gotta take this." He dips out of the booth.

Tom and I smile at each other. I could do this all night. Just look at him with his blond hair pushed to the side, the quirky way he smiles when he wants to say something, but holds back, and the twinkle in his eyes when I say something that makes him laugh.

"Are you ready to order?" the waitress appears out of nowhere.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I haven't even looked at the menu." I pick it up and quickly scan the choices.

"I can come back," she offers.

"No, that's okay. I'll take the chicken fajitas with extra veggies, and skip the tortillas and sour cream," Tom says.

"Um, I'll have the chicken enchiladas," I say as it's the first item that catches my eye.

"Got it." She collects our menus and disappears.

"No sour cream? That's the best part." I dip another chip into the guacamole.

"Agreed."

"Are you on a diet?" Which must be impossible, because he's as lean and fit as the pro dancers on the show.

He drinks his gin and tonic. "I'd rather call it a life choice, but it's really more a necessity. I don't want to embarrass myself when I appear on stage with no shirt."

I lean in. "I'm intrigued. Tell me more."

He smiles. "First time during a fight scene, the other is a love scene."

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