Page 68 of If Ever

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On the results show the next night it's confirmed, and to no one's surprise Dominic and I are out. My feelings are conflicted as the show closes and the remaining cast surrounds us with well wishes. I realize that I've finally made some friends here. They were a tough group to crack, but now I can say there are some genuinely nice people.

We skip the normal post show interviews and are whisked to the airport. Between the three-hour time change and the need for us to get to the morning show studio by 7 a.m., there's no time to lose.

"Seriously?" I say to Dominic when we're seated in first class.

"Helps take the sting off losing, doesn't it?" He offers me the spacious window seat and takes the aisle, while the flight attendant stows our coats.

"You won't find me complaining." I snuggle in and call Tom. His show should be over by now.

He picks up. "How'd it go?"

"You'll never guess where I am?" I smooth my hand over the supple leather seat.

"At the airport?"

"Better. In first class!" He laughs, and I can't wait to see him in person. It’s been three weeks since I laid eyes on him.

"What time are you off the clock and officially mine?"

My stomach tingles at his words. I pull the phone away for a sec. "Dominic, what time are we done tomorrow?"

The flight attendant hands each of us a glass of champagne. Dominic clinks his glass to mine and says, "Around nine."

"Hear that?" I say into the phone.

"Yes. I'll see you both at nine."

I whisper into my phone hoping none of the other high fliers overhear my rookie excitement. "They just gave us champagne."

"You're living the high life now."

I take a sip of the bubbly, it goes to my nose, and I sneeze. Dominic leans over. "Chelsea, I can't make it tomorrow. I've got a meeting with my agent."

"Dominic can't join us, you okay with that?"

"And have you all to myself? Bummer. Does he want to come to the show? I’ve got two tickets if you want them."

"Of course I do!” I nudge Dominic and mouth the question. He nods. "Dominic will be there too."

The flight attendant collects our glasses and indicates that it's time to hang up. "I've got to go, I'll see you soon."

Dominic and I eat dinner and talk for a long time, still hyped from the show.

"This was a great season. We started rough, peaked, then ended rough. Who could ask for more?" he jokes.

"Sorry about that."

"It wasn't your fault. Sometimes things work out the best way possible, you just don't know it yet."

"So what is the meeting your agent about?"

"There's a movie I could audition for, a summer dance tour, maybe opening a studio of my own."

"That's incredible. You're agent's been busy."

"She's great. You know, you should consider getting an agent. I'm sure there are opportunities for you now that you're a known entity."

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