Page 94 of If Ever

“So you’re going to stay with your Broadway boy?"

“I don’t really know yet. I fly to New York after the finale and then I’ll be seeing Tom. Lord only knows what happens next.” But I have a good feeling and I miss him so much.

“Logically speaking, I’d say a jump in the sack?” she says.

“Anna!”

“He’s going to make his move.”

“I don’t know.” I grab a soda and realize I still need to empty the fridge before I leave.

“Shit,” Anna says. “Is he gay? It makes total sense. Most Broadway performers are.”

I straighten up. “He’s not gay. Why do people keep saying that?”

“He sings and dances. He could be. Half the guys on Celebrity Dance Off are,” she argues.

My thoughts turn to his kisses that leave me a breathless mess. “He’s straight. Okay?”

“You already slept with him!” she says accusingly.

“No! We barely know each other.”

“Um, I disagree. Haven’t you seen him a half dozen different times now and you’ve been talking to him every day for the past four weeks, five weeks, I’ve lost count. I hope you’re taking date underwear.”

I sift through the old mismatched panties and bras I stuffed in my suitcase and cringe. He can’t see me in any of this. “Shit.”

“You better make an emergency run to Vicky’s.”

“I don’t have time. As soon as I’m done here I have hair, makeup and dress rehearsal.” I pace my bedroom. This place has grown on me over the past three months.

“I’m just sayin’. You can’t show up in your discount store bra and undies. It’s way too Midwest.”

“Note taken. I’ll figure something out.” I try to picture the perfect panties to buy and realize the whole point is for him to take them off. “Oh, God. Now I’m going to worry about awkward first sex!”

“Relax. He’ll do all the seducing.”

“It doesn’t matter. First times are always weird.” I plop onto the side of the bed. “Anna, I really like him. He’s not like any of the guys at school.”

“I know.” Her voice is soft and reassuring. She knows more about me than anyone on the planet and wants this to work nearly as much as I do.

“And I always mess things up with guys.” Reading men’s signals has never been a skill of mine. My mind goes to Kirk who I dated for a month in high school and Reggie who cheated on me last spring. I cringe.

“That’s ancient history. You’re going to have a blast, and you better give me a full report afterward. I want to know if he’s as good in bed as he is at singing.”

That afternoon after my traditional shot of bourbon with Hank, Dominic and I step onto the soundstage along with finalists Shane and Cassie, and Eva and Tarik. The crew, production staff and all the pro and celebrity dancers from the first week are there applauding our entrance. I glance at Dominic. Is he as blown away by this experience as I am? Maybe not, as he's taken this walk several times before.

I nod and smile at these people, most of whom never connected with me; but today they all seem supportive. Hank is catcalling and even Candace Capri appears happy, probably because she's singing her latest hit tonight.

Places are called for the opener. Every pair gets their few seconds to shine as the production team pulls out all the stops with special effects, new camera angles, and poppy music.

The show flies along with great fanfare until it's time for our final dance, a mash-up of quick step and rumba. As we wait, Dominic says, "This is our last show together."

"Don't make me cry," I answer softly so the mic won't catch it. "Turns out what you said to me on the first night was true."

"What was that?"

"You said I'd fall in love with you."

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