Page 24 of If Ever

We practice it several more times. Dominic must be exhausted from all the abuse of my body landing in his outstretched arms, but he never complains. I'm getting bruises from ribs to thighs from the impact.

By Sunday's camera marking, we're doing well other than the fact Dominic keeps pushing me to show more emotion. I'm trying, but exposing my heart is difficult for me. When it's time for our run though, I head out of my trailer and run into Dominic.

"You ready?" He falls into step beside me.

"I think so, but why are we scheduled so early?"

Dominic holds the sound stage door open. "I have a surprise for you, and it means we're going to need some extra time before camera blocking."

"Uh, oh." I study his face for answers, but he gives up nothing.

"Relax, you're going to love it." He grins.

My shoulders stiffen as I brace for whatever new torture Dominic has come up with. We cross backstage and onto the actual ballroom area where tech guys and cameramen are in various areas working on the new lighting and sets for tomorrow's show. Up on the raised section of the stage where I'm to make my leap into Dominic's arms, there's a grand piano and the head producer, Larry, talking to a guy with his back to us.

"Ah, here they are," Larry says when he spots us.

The stranger turns and I'm stunned to find it's the guy who performed the song on YouTube. He's tall and lean with medium blonde hair, feathery eyebrows, and friendly blue eyes.

Larry says, "Dominic, Chelsea, I'd like you to meet Thomas Evan Oliver."

Thomas reaches his hand out to Dominic. "Call me Tom," he says and they shake, and then he extends his hand to me.

I blurt, "I'm a huge fan!"

His hand is warm and firm. I'm meeting the actual guy who sang “Stay” on that old TV show, and now he's here.

"I'm a big fan of your show too," he says with a British accent and an endearing smile.

Glancing at Dominic, I mouth, oh my God! He grins.

"Tom's starring in the show Crossing Lines on Broadway and we didn't know we'd be able to get him until the last minute," Larry says. "Lucky for us, he's agreed to sing the track for your dance tonight. Tom, if there's anything you need, just let me or one of the assistants know."

"Thanks, Larry." Tom turns to us as the producer leaves. "Thanks for inviting me to your show. I was surprised when I got the call."

I'm fixated by the sound of his accent. The way he pronounces his words is like a gorgeous melody. He's so friendly and at ease, while my heart is ricocheting out of my chest.

"We're honored to have you," Dominic says, leaning against the piano.

"I recorded "Stay" for a TV show quite a while back. I had to dig deep in my memory banks and dust it off," Tom laughs.

I'm officially in love with his voice and he hasn't even sung yet.

"When I asked Chelsea to select a song that had significance to her, she knew right away that it was "Stay,"" Dominic explains.

Tom directs his attention to me. "Then I guess all my thanks go to you."

He smiles and something about the curve of his mouth and the light in his eyes makes my insides all jittery. I'm tongue tied and not sure what to say, but Dominic saves me.

"We're on a tight schedule, so we should probably get started."

"Right, then." Tom takes a seat behind the piano, flexes and wiggles his fingers. "Do you have a tempo in mind?"

Dominic gives him the tempo and turns to me. "Chelsea, we'll just mark it the first time to see where we have tempo issues."

We move to our spots on the main floor. Tom takes his cue from Dominic and plays the intro. I can't believe the actual, live and in person, Thomas Evan Oliver is only a few feet away and performing the anthem of my life. He begins to sing, and rich, full tones fill the room. I look at Dominic and my mouth drops open. Dominic is equally impressed and has to nudge me to remember what I'm supposed to be doing.

We mark through the number, including the lifts, and stop right before the final leap from the raised stage, mostly because it takes a lot of energy and it's easier to skip it. Dominic confers with Tom on tempo. "Let's try it again. Chelsea, this time let's go full out."

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