Page 95 of If Ever

He laughs and shakes his head.

"You're like the brother I never had, and I can't imagine taking this journey without you."

Dominic whispers back. "But I was wrong. I also said it would be one sided. And I love you to pieces." He squeezes my shoulder.

The intro plays and we switch to dance mode. Muscle memory takes over and Dominic guides me through the intricate steps I've been doing in my sleep. My dress swishes around me as we turn, glide, and kick. We smile, enjoying this last insane moment of dancing under the spotlights, an experience I never sought out, but am thankful I've had. With a final spin into a low dip, we're done.

Dominic lifts me to my feet and we hug. The judges' comments are all glowing as if they suspected I'd be here from the beginning.

Our scores are all tens, but so were the other teams. It'll come down to a popularity contest, but I don't mind. I'm almost done and the feeling is sweet. During the commercial break we're herded up to the stage along with the other two pairs.

"You guys were awesome and both deserve to win," Eva says. There are hugs all around. I have actually made friends.

Dominic and I are on the left side standing beneath the spotlights. Marcus MacIntyre gives his spiel about sadly having to announce who came in third. Dominic's arm is comfortably at my side in support. This is where we exit. If it hadn't been for Brady's injury we'd never be here at all.

"And the pair in third place is..."

The suspense music plays for an eternity.

I try to keep a straight face, as Dominic whispers, "Are you going to fake cry when we're voted out?"

I elbow him.

The host finally speaks. "Shane and Cassie."

What! I turn to Dominic and burst out laughing. We've made it into the final two.

We're hurried down to the main floor and stand with Eva and Tarik with the trophy and the hosts between us. Could we actually win? Suddenly I want it. I want it bad, and the way Dominic's arm is clenched around me I know he does too.

"And now, after twelve weeks, hundreds of dances and millions of sequins will the winner of Celebrity Dance Off be Chelsea Barnes, America's first chance to dance?" The cameras zoom in on Dominic and I.

"Or will it be Eva Alverez, the Emmy winning soap icon?"

The results music pulses, but not louder than my pounding heart. What if I actually won? It's impossible. Or is it?

"And the winner of Celebrity Dance Off is..."

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