Page 147 of If Ever

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“It's a pass on the movie," my agent, Sean says two days later.

I sigh and press my lower back to the living room floor in an effort to stretch the tight muscles. "Any word on the TV pilot?"

"No, but you've got a call back for the Broadway project tomorrow at eleven, and I set two auditions for you next week. One is an HBO pilot, the other is another new musical in development. Both would be great for you."

"When are they?"

"Next week Tuesday and Wednesday. I'll send over the details and audition materials this afternoon."

Any chance you can switch Tuesday audition to Thursday? This schedule has been kicking my ass."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Sean, tell me I'm doing the right thing by leaving the show."

"Don't doubt yourself. A full year in that show is accomplishing the impossible. I guarantee that future replacements will be in three-month increments. It's time you move to the next stage of your career and broaden your experience."

"Says the guy paid to be optimistic." Flat on my back, I notice a cobweb floating from the ceiling.

"True that." He laughs. "Catch you later."

The bathroom door opens as I click off. Chelsea comes out wrapped in nothing more than a cloud of steam and a fluffy white towel.

"What are you doing?" She grins down at my prone position. It's great to see her smile after the horrible run-in with her father, but I worry she’s just burying the pain. She’s been overly cheery all day.

"It's called the Alexander." My knees are bent with my back and neck stretched out straight and flat. Water from her damp hair rolls down her arm.

She cocks an eyebrow. "All right. I assume this is another goofy theatre thing."

"More or less. It's a relaxation technique that's supposed to elongate and relax the back."

She sits on the coffee table and crosses her bare legs. "Is the pain worse?"

"Not when I'm distracted by you, half naked and two feet away."

She flashes her eyebrows and lifts a long slender leg. "Like the view, do you?"

"You know I do, you cheeky wench."

"How bad does it hurt?"

"It's nothing some stretching, muscle rub, and a bottle of painkillers can't mask." She rises and steps over my knees, one foot on each side of my hips, just out of reach for me to peek up her towel. My hands reach out and caress her ankles, warm and soft. She has a sexy twinkle in her eye that I love. “You seem in a good mood today.”

“I am. I have an interview at the Hamilton Literary Agency tomorrow?”

“You don’t say? Well, that is good news.” I never asked Paige to help Chelsea in her job search, but the timing couldn’t be better.

"So if I were to, say…" Chelsea nibbles her lip. "…make myself comfortable, I wouldn't be hurting your back?"

"If you plan to do what I think you are, pain is the last thing I'll feel." My traitorous body gives away my interest.

Her delicious mouth curves into a knowing smile. "Consider it sexual favors for putting up with my friends this weekend. It's not too late for us to get a couple of hotel rooms if you're not up for it."

My phone pings. I reach over and check the caller ID. Shit. Will that woman never take no for an answer? I set the phone down.

"What was that?"

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