Page 80 of If Ever

Tom and I linger over our drinks and when it's time to go, he holds my coat. My feelings are a jumble. Being in the finale is great, but I don't really deserve it, and I haven't begun to have enough time with him. Outside, the sky is filled with huge snowflakes.

"Huh, what do you know about that?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Is it horrible if I pray for a blizzard to keep me here?"

“It would make two of us. Do you mind if we walk back to your hotel instead of cabbing it?"

"Not at all," I say, and I'm glad I did when Tom tucks his arm around me. Times Square is still brightly lit, but the crowds are gone with only a handful of tourists unwilling to call it a night, and stray people heading home after work. Normally in a city like New York I'd be nervous around every dark corner or shady character, but with Tom at my side, I've never felt safer.

By the time we reach my hotel, the snow has filled the crevices in the sidewalk. Inside there's a swanky bar with chrome-edged tables and black leather seating. Tom removes his hat and brushes snow off my shoulders. “I know it’s late, but I’m not ready to say goodbye.”

We sit in low chairs. Jazz music plays softly and the seductive lighting gives the feel that we're alone. The waitress brings him a gin and tonic and me a cosmo.

"I wish I didn't have to fly back to L.A. in the morning."

He squeezes my hand. "You'll be back."

“I can’t believe we’re in the finals.”

"You’ll be brilliant, and you're peaking at the perfect time. And you have the secret weapon of Dominic. As much as I hate to say it, you couldn't be in better hands. At least for the show," he says with a sardonic smile.

"You're too nice. I'm not like you and Dominic. I haven't spent my life performing, but I promise to give it my best shot."

He swirls his drink, the ice clinks against the side. "And that's what I love about you. You never give up."

"Like Dominic would let me." But Tom's right. I've got one last chance to prove I'm worthy of being on the show and I won't waste it. Dominic calls with details of our 8:00 a.m. flight with car service pick up a few hours from now at 5:30. It'll be a long day tomorrow. At least I'll be able to sleep on the plane.

Tom and I talk in quiet tones, our legs brushing together, our eyes lingering on each other. Before we know it, the lounge has emptied, the music turned off, and the bartender is clinking bottles. Reluctantly we return to the lobby. "May I walk you up?"

I'm not about to say no. We take the elevator to the fifty-fourth floor and step inside my room. I toss my handbag and coat on the bed. When I reach to flip on more lights, Tom takes my hand and pulls me close, slipping his arms around my back.

"I hate always having to say goodbye to you," he murmurs.

I lean into his chest, so solid and warm. "We've barely had any time together."

He brushes a strand of hair from my cheek, and lowers his mouth, capturing mine in a tangy gin and tonic kiss. He weaves his fingers through my hair. This close, my senses are filled with his scent.

My hands reach inside his jacket and around to his back. His muscles move as his hands roam lower pressing gently at my hips, then cupping my behind and pulling me against him. I let him mold my body to his, reveling in his touch. His mouth ravishes mine in a hunger neither of us can possibly satisfy in one night.

Eventually he releases me. We’ve lost track of time again. His eyes are dark, intense. "I think I best toss myself out of here."

Inside myhead I scream, no! But outwardly I’m silent.

He steps away.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I say breathlessly.

Tom caresses my cheek and smiles. "Safe travels, love." With one final kiss he turns and leaves me alone. I lean against the door aroused and frustrated. Should I have asked him to stay? Or would that have been too forward? I don't have enough experience to know how to handle these things. Better to follow his lead, which has me bewildered and turned on. And more than ever I want the show to end so I can spend more time with him, but if it weren't for Celebrity Dance Off, we never would have met.

I get ready for bed. Even scrubbed clean of all makeup, I'm glowing with joy. I pack up everything other than what I'll need in the morning, and set my alarm for only a few hours from now. At the window I open the drapes and the sheers to let in the city lights. Thick snow flies outside the window, blocking my view of the street below. I’m no expert, but it looks like it’s coming fast.

With my fingers crossed, I climb into bed and stare out the window at the fuzzy glow of lights behind the swirling snow, and desperately pray it’s a blizzard.

Dominic calls at 5 a.m. to say he and the hired car will be in front of the hotel in a few minutes. The snowfall has been heavy all night. So far our flight is still on time. We just have to get to the airport.

"Um, okay." It seems only a blink of time since I went to bed.

I wish I could stay to enjoy the snow, but instead I pull on jeans, a long sweater with a scarf, and my boots. I glance in the bathroom mirror at my groggy face and splash cold water on it, quick brush my teeth, and toss the rest of my toiletries into my suitcase.

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