Page 51 of If Ever

I roll my eyes and shove my hand through my hair. "I don't know. This whole thing is idiotic. I said goodbye, and went on my way. But then the next morning I'm at the airport, day dreaming about the best night I've had in a long time and get this call to return for their encore."

A smile curls at the corner of my mouth. "You should have seen the look on her face." Chelsea was so surprised and lit up like I was the most important person in the world.

"You're in love," Paige declares as if it's a foregone conclusion.

"God no! I barely know her." And yet my pulse is racing.

"But you want to be." Max grins.

My eyes dart around the room and I throw my hands up. "I'm obsessed with a girl I barely know and I can't shake it. What the hell is wrong with me?"

"Huh, the great Thomas Evan Oliver has lost his heart to a girl." Max grins.

"No you wanker, that's not it." I don't fall for women this way. I'm too busy and my schedule is about to get even crazier. I plop down in a chair.

Max laughs. "Are you sure she's all that? Maybe she's hiding her bat-shit crazy side, or psycho stalker tendencies. Have you forgotten Barbie?"

"Bite your tongue. I don’t ever want to hear her name again. Chelsea's nothing like her." I think of how she had me in stitches last night over a story about a spider in her shower.

"You realize finding the perfect girl is like finding a Unicorn," he says.

I look up. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"Finding a beautiful, smart, funny woman is the impossible trifecta. It's extremely rare. So rare, it's like finding a Unicorn."

"Max, you're ridiculous," Paige laughs.

He holds up a hand. "But be careful if you ever discover one."

"Why's that?" I ask, intrigued.

"Because they're skittish and startle easily. They bolt in the blink of an eye."

Paige brushes off his story. "Tom, I know what you need to do."

"And what's that?" I ask, because I'm at wits end and need my life back.

"You have to go see her."

"In L.A.?" I shake my head. "I could never."

She arches an eyebrow and smiles. "Couldn't you?"

Los Angeles

By the time I arrive at the sound stage, my palms are sweaty. I get out of the cab with my backpack and stare at the stage door. What the hell am I going to say?

After a minute, I pull out my phone and text her. "Have time for a break?" I hit send. How long before she looks at her phone? What if it's hours? And what if Dominic says they're too busy for Chelsea to see me on a show day? He's a strong bloke, but I think I could take him.

I start obsessing about a whole new set of obstacles when a familiar gruff voice says, "Well, look who's back."

"Hank! How are you?" We shake hands.

"Sneaking out for a smoke. What brings you to this neck of the woods?" I hesitate and then Hank says, "Not that I need to ask."

I sigh. "Am I that obvious?"

"Afraid so. But hell, life's short." His eyes twinkle. "So why are you standing out here like a kid with his face pressed to the candy store window?"

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