18
When I open the door, Chelsea and Dominic are trying a lift. As she swings down, she can't sustain the hold and smacks her knee and elbow on the floor. She's sprawled out like a limp rag.
I wince. "I don't think that's going to get you any tens."
Chelsea lolls her head toward me and sees the large take away bag I'm holding. "Please tell me that's food," she groans.
"Your wish is my command." I leave my wet boots and coat at the door and set the bag in front of her.
"How's it going?" I ask Dominic as she tears opens the food. He looks exhausted.
"It could be better. It's tough not being in L.A., and this storm just adds more stress. At this rate we might have to take a train to make it in time."
"Trains have sleeper cars. I'm up for that! Oh my God, Tom. You brought stew, mac & cheese, spaghetti. You are the most gorgeous man on the planet."
"Really? All that for a bag of food." Her face is flush from exertion. She looks younger with a light dusting of freckles across her cheeks and also beat from lack of sleep.
She lifts out a salad. "Look Dominic. Rabbit food for you!"
He joins her. "Oh no. After today, I'll arm wrestle you for the pasta."
We sit in a circle and dive in to the take-out containers.
"Seriously, dude. You're a lifesaver." Dominic shovels in a mouthful of spaghetti. "I was afraid if I let her take too much of a break, I'd never get her back."
"I'm not that bad," Chelsea says.
Dominic cocks his head.
"Come on, it's been a long day. I mean, I'm wearing someone else's clothes. Plus, I don't even know where I'm sleeping tonight."
I flash my eyebrows at her, which Dominic catches and laughs. Chelsea blushes then looks away.
"We've got a new hotel just down the street. This way we can rehearse late and not have far to go."
Chelsea groans, and I wish there was more I could do to help. After eating our fill, Dominic is off talking to someone in the main office. Chelsea rolls on the floor next to me. Her body cooled down, she leans into my side, greedy for warmth.
I lace my fingers through hers and smile, lifting her hand for a quick kiss
"Is this a new bruise or an old one?" I examine her shapely arm, lightly tracing my finger over the purple mark.
"That one's old, but the one right here, is brand new."
My eyes and fingers graze over her soft skin, checking her for further damage, raising goose bumps as I go. I frown and make tsk sounds every time I find another. "It's a good thing this competition is almost over, because you look like you've gone ten rounds with Ali."
"Dancing with Dominic is a combat sport."
"I heard that!" Dominic appears. "Time to get back to work. Want to show Tom what we've got?"
Chelsea climbs to her feet, and I scoot out of the way to watch. "Don't be too critical, I'm still learning, and as you saw, we haven't worked out the lifts yet."
I lean against the wall, my forearms resting on my knees. Dominic hits play and they begin. Chelsea’s natural ability shows through. Then she's up over his head in a lift, grabs for his other hand and fumbles, then goes down hard on her back.
I'm next to her in an instant. "Are you okay?" I ask, my hand on her bare shoulder.
She groans. "Maybe we better change that lift."
"Or maybe we need to slow down and work on it again when you aren't so tired," Dominic answers. "I'll get you an ice pack."
Chelsea pushes to a sitting position and I pull her into my arms and lean against the wall. She lies against my chest and rests her head in the crook of my neck, her silky hair tickling my skin. My arms wrap around her slim waist and settle on her stomach. It's as if I've known her all my life. I could hold her this way forever, and if I have my way, I will.
"Do you always fall this much?"
"Unfortunately, yes. I'm really not a dancer. I've just gotten good at faking it for a minute and a half."
I kiss her temple. "I hate to see you get hurt like this." She lays limp in my arms.
She speaks softly, "I'm used to pain. One way or another it always follows me."
I frown. Dominic returns and hands me an ice pack, since Chelsea's curled into my body with her eyes closed. He doesn't bat an eye at her closeness, which I appreciate.
"Where'd you land when you fell?" I ask shaking the ice pack.
"Here." She rubs her hand over her hip.
I gently lay it on her. She shivers. "That's cold."
"Hang on." I shift her, unzip and slip out of my hoodie. "How's this?" I spread it over her from shoulder to thigh like a blanket.
"Thanks." She snuggles back in like a drowsy pup.
Dominic sits on my other side with his phone and laptop in tow. He glances at Chelsea and laughs. "We've got a Skype visit with costume design in a few minutes."
"Can't we just reuse our old costumes? We've got enough of them," Chelsea mumbles.
"It's the finale, it's got to be spectacular."
She grunts. "You know what I like."
"So you're giving me the okay to decide?" He looks at her as if this is a dare.
"Um hmm." She rumbles and I feel her drifting close to sleep. My heart fills with contentment. I hold her a little closer and she sighs.
I turn to Dominic, who could easily toss me out at any time. "I hope I'm not messing up your schedule today. I know you have a lot to do."
"You're fine. It's the weather that's the problem. Look how docile she is with you around." He laughs at my sleeping angel. "And you brought dinner. Thanks for that."
Dominic logs into his computer and sets his notes on the floor next to him. While he's getting ready, I pull out my phone and snap a picture of Chelsea and I. She doesn't bat an eye. I send the picture to her phone for her to discover later.
Dominic's phone pings and he reads an email. "Looks like we're booked on a noon flight tomorrow. The snow is supposed to stop at some point tonight, so even if we're delayed, we should be able to get out of here."
"Considering all the setbacks, you're handling this well."
"You know what they say..." Dominic starts.
"The show must go on," I finish.
Dominic's computer lights up and his Skype goes live. "Hi, Mark, Kelly."
"Hey guys, sorry to hear you're snowed in, but congratulations on making the finals."
"Thanks, but I'm afraid Chelsea can't hear you. She's decided to check out of costume design, but do you remember Tom Oliver? He sang for us a couple weeks back and he'll be offering feedback on her behalf." Dominic snickers and turns the laptop so they can see Chelsea sleeping on my chest.
Mark and Kelly laugh. "Nice to see you again Tom."
"Hi."
Dominic turns the laptop back to face him.
"So what have you got in mind?" Mark asks.
"We've got the three numbers, the first is a rumba. I'd like something shorter to show off her intricate footwork and some sort of fringe or something that will catch the light when she spins."
"You're thinking something similar to Sonya's costume from last year's finale?"
"Yeah, classy, but also with a bare back."
Mark holds up a couple sketches of past costumes. Each one is skimpy. One features rhinestones, another sparkling fringe, and the last tulle. "Something like these?"
"The middle one," Dominic says.
"Chelsea isn't going to like it. You remember how upset she was about the salsa costume showing so much skin," Kelly says.
I remember that costume. Damn she looked hot.
Dominic shakes his head. "I know, but this is the finals and she's up for whatever it takes to get votes. What do you think Tom? You've seen an early version of the dance. Will Chelsea approve?"
I picture her in any of the samples they showed. Her hot little bum will look amazing. My hand moves under my sweatshirt from her waist to cup her behind. Her change in breathing is the only indication she even notices I'm here. I grin. "She'll love it."
"Hear that? Chelsea votes yes. I was thinking make it silver and put me in a top hat and tails. She'll need a top hat for the opening sequence before tossing it away."
Dominic and the designers move on to the next two costumes, each with revealing aspects that would show off her long legs, her sexy backside, and more skin than she's flaunted all season. Whenever consulted, I heartily agree that's exactly how I want to see her. With the call concluded, he closes his laptop.
"How do you think she'll react when she sees her costumes?" I ask, glad I won't be there.
"I expect there will be quite a fire storm of hysterics, but she's risen to every challenge I've thrown at her so far. If I'm lucky, she won't find out until a last minute fitting on Monday."
The door opens and two guys enter, one carrying a camera on his shoulder. Dominic puts a finger to his lips for them to be quiet, then gestures with his hand to roll tape. "Think she'll like this surprise?" he whispers. "The producers have been going crazy with no promo footage of rehearsal, so they hired a local crew."
I look at my snoozing bundle and cringe on her behalf. She's warm and toasty against me. Somehow I think her waking up to a film crew won't be a welcome development. I whisper in her ear to give her fair warning. "Chelsea, a camera crew's here." Her breathing shifts, but she isn't awake. I run my fingertips over her back and shift my leg to rouse her. "Camera on you. Right now. She comes to, then bolts upright, pushing a mass of hair out of her eyes. "Where?"
I point across the room where the camera guy is focusing in on her. Dominic is bent over laughing. She pulls my sweatshirt over her head and dives into my chest. I'm definitely included in the frame.
"Dominic, I hate you," she yells.
"Aw come on, you're an easy target."
"On that note, it's time for me to go." I ease her off of me.
Her eyes are round saucers of innocence. "Please don't."
"I wish I could stay, but I've got to get to work." I'm desperate to kiss her, but not with the red light of the camera watching.
We get to our feet and she hands me my sweatshirt, smoothing down her mussed hair. As I put on all my layers to face the snowstorm, Chelsea pleads her case to Dominic.
"Let me go to his show tonight, please. We've been working all day, plus we have four days until the show."
"Sorry. Not tonight. We have an entire other number to block."
"Come on. I never ask you for anything," she pleads.
He cocks his head in disagreement.
"Fine, but we're here in the city. We should have some fun too."
Dominic drops his head, his hands resting on his hips. I can see he's choosing his words carefully. "Chelsea, do you remember when we started this thing all those weeks ago?"
She crosses her arms and snorts.
"You were afraid no one would take you seriously—that you'd never get a chance to get past week one or two because the audience didn't know you. Well guess what? The viewers have been paying attention. You've made it all the way to the finals. It doesn't matter how you got here, but you did."
The camera is focused on them, I've moved out of sight because this goes way deeper than Chelsea taking a night off.
She sticks her jaw out in stubborn defiance, but Dominic continues.
"The last thing viewers saw was us tripping over each other and screwing up like a couple of amateurs. Is that how you want to go out?"
She says nothing.
Dominic shrugs and throws up his arms. "Okay. We'll blow this off and party in the city. You made it to the finals. Who cares how we finish? Who cares that you have a one in three chance to win this whole thing? Who cares that I think we can do it?"
Her face is pink with embarrassment. I feel like a world-class jerk witnessing their battle of wills, but it's likely the whole country will see this footage Monday night.
"We only have tomorrow and Saturday to learn and polish all three numbers and half of tomorrow will be spent in the air. The ball's in your court. I'd love to call it quits and go grab a beer. It's up to you."
Chelsea doesn't say anything for the longest time. They're at a standoff, and yet he's allowing her to call the shots. Her eyes get watery. "I'm sorry."
Dominic's stance softens. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You've given this competition everything you have. I couldn't ask for more."
She swallows down her emotion and raises her chin. "I don't want to quit. I want to win."
A tiny smile lifts the edge of his mouth.
"You better have something phenomenal planned, because we're coming for 'em."
He nods. "Hug it out?" He opens his arms and she walks into them, leaving me more jealous than I'd like to admit.
An understanding passes between the two, and I know everything will be all right. I move to the door and catch her eye.
"Wait!" She runs across the room, takes my hand, and leads me into the corridor, shutting the studio door behind her.
She grabs my coat and drags me forward, pressing her lips to mine, demanding and hungry, as if she needs this connection to get her through the night. Finally, we part, her eyes delicious pools of desire.
"You better get in there before they come looking for you," I say, wishing I could steal her away.
"And you better get to work."
"I'm late. Look at what you've done to me. I'm never late. Ever."
"You saying I'm a bad influence?"
"Very bad."
One last quick kiss and I head out, not looking back because I can't trust myself.
I wake up Friday morning, after a desperately needed full night's sleep, and find Chelsea's sent me a link to CNN. I follow it to breaking news that a plane slid off a JFK runway shutting down two main runways. The barely reopened airport has been forced to cancel half its flights, including hers. She ends her text with emojis of fireworks, smiley faces, and hearts.
Propping an extra pillow under my head, I call her. She answers on the first ring. "You just can't get rid of me." Her voice is light with excitement.
"Kind of like mold in the basement." I tease, but I'm pumped she's still here. "I don't suppose Dominic's decided to give you the day off."
"Hardly, but he gave me time to buy some clothes that don't smell like a men's locker room."
I can't imagine Chelsea smelling anything but perfect. "Does that mean no more Hot Stuff across your bum."
"That's my first goal, to find something plain and boring."
"Darn, I liked how those letters hugged your, uh, assets. Any chance I can steal you for lunch or dinner? Maybe a quick coffee or a quick snogging in the back hall when Dominic isn't looking?"
She giggles, the sound is music to my ears. "I'll try to sneak away at some point. What's your day like?"
"It's Friday, so other than an early meeting and a run, my day is flexible."
"I'd think your show was workout enough."
"It's the start of a four-show weekend. That's four shows in forty-eight hours. If I don't stay strong and in shape, I'll never get through it."
"Sounds exhausting, now that you put it that way."
It can be. But I refuse to let it hold me back. "Give me a call when you get a break. I'll be standing by."
Three hours later, still no word from Chelsea. Central Park is postcard perfection. Now that the storm has passed, snow glistens under clear sunny skies. I breathe in the fresh air. The early snow is a novelty bringing out a surprising amount of people for a weekday.
I spend my five-mile run thinking of Chelsea’s sweet smile, her infectious laugh, and especially those moments when her vulnerable side shows through. While she opened up about her past when I asked, it's obvious she keeps a carefully protected wall around her. And that's okay. If I have my way, we'll have plenty of time to take that down.
My phone rings interrupting my ruminations. I slow to a walk. It's my agent. "Hey, Sean. What's up?"
"I thought we had a meeting."
I stop short. "Aw, shit! Was that today?" Other runners speed past. I step off the jogging path.
"It's not like you to miss a meeting. I've got the script for the new musical you've been waiting on."
"Sorry. With the, uh, blizzard I've been distracted." I check the time. "I can head over to you now."
"I've got to head out in five minutes, so we'll have to reschedule. I did want to check in about some auditions I'm working on, but I wasn't sure how many you can handle right now."
"I'm wide open." Except all the time I plan to be talking and skyping with Chelsea.
"You're ready for this next step?"
My heart glitches. It's a huge change, but the timing is right. "I think I have to be." I relax on a bench to catch my breath.
"I agree. And your appearance on Celebrity Dance Off was media gold. Primetime on a hit network show—what a sweet piece of luck that was."
I grin. "You have no idea."
"I've got to run, but I'll messenger over the script. Rest up because I'll start lining up auditions. You're going to be a busy man, but if luck holds, I think you can land something great that'll take you to the next level."
"Thanks, Sean. I'm ready."
Nearby a woman is helping her kids build a snowman, something I haven't done in years. I slip on my gloves and make a snowball. It takes a couple tries, but I'm able to catch a shot of it mid air with my phone and send the picture to Chelsea.
Next I find a wide-open expanse of snow and start rolling my snowball until I get a nice-size base. By the time I'm done ten minutes later, I have a decent snowman, complete with my scarf and hat. There's two protein bars in my inside coat pocket that I use for eyes and a frown. My creation complete I take a selfie with Frosty, matching his mood with a woeful frown and text it to Chelsea. "Can you come out and play?"
After retrieving my hat and scarf and shaking off the snow, my phone pings.
"Have you had lunch?" she asks.
I grin and respond, "I'm famished."
"Dominic says you'll know where Tavern on the Green is. Meet us there?"
Twenty minutes later Chelsea and Dominic step out of a cab in front of the landmark restaurant perched on the edge of the park. A bundle of grins and excitement, she kisses me hello.
"This is gorgeous," she gushes, as we're seated in the Central Park Room, which is like an atrium with floor to ceiling glass. Even part of the ceiling is glass, giving us the feel of dining in the center of a snow-covered paradise.
“You’ve earned a little tourist stop while we’re here,” Dominic says.
We stuff ourselves with clam chowder, Caesar salads, and warm apple crisp. I'm going to need to take another run just to burn off lunch. I ask how rehearsals are going.
"We're making progress. This morning I borrowed a couple of guys from the studio and we worked on lifts and tricks," Dominic says.
"You should see how much they flip me around. It's so fun," Chelsea adds.
When lunch ends, Chelsea leans back and rubs her stomach. "I'm so full, all I want to do is curl up in a booth and snooze like a fat little pig." Fatigue shows in dark circles under her eyes.
Dominic lays down his napkin and stands. "No time for naps. You can sleep when you're dead. The crew has been scouting spots outside. Larry needs more promo footage to air this weekend, so pull out your second wind. It's show time."
Chelsea sighs and glances at me with a tired smile. I squeeze her hand.
Outside, I get a front row seat as they set up in front of a frozen fountain. They ditch their coats, but wear their hats and scarves and run a short sequence of their dance. Chelsea is focused and professional. Yesterday she was still awkward and learning the complicated moves, but today, she's graceful and precise. She works as hard as any of the professionals I know.
Next they move to a field of deeper snow for a couple of lifts. Dominic hoists Chelsea up over his head. She arches her back with her legs in perfect form. Her arms extend over her head gracefully as she hangs poised in the air. It’s a sight to behold in the winter wonderland surrounding them. The camera crew catches every move. On the dismount, Dominic slips and Chelsea tumbles to the snow. I spring forward to help, but before I get there, Dominic takes the brunt of her fall, so she lands somewhat safely on top of him, and I wish it could have been me beneath her tangle of limbs, hair, and laughter.
Chelsea rolls off and shakes away the snow. Dominic climbs to his feet, giving up on trying more lifts. Instead they perform some spins and a couple of dips. Her cheeks and nose are an adorable rosy red. When the crew declares they have enough footage, Chelsea bounds over and plants her cold lips on mine.
"You are amazing." I hold her close. "And you're freezing, let's get your coat back on."
Dominic joins us. "We've got to run, and with any luck, you won't see us again until after the finals."
Chelsea's head swings around in surprise. Her fingers grip my coat and I feel her being pulled away again.
"You have a flight?" I ask.
"Out of Newark later tonight." He gives Chelsea a pointed look.
They have to go. I can't keep praying for another disaster to keep her here with me. I extend my hand to Dominic. "Thanks for letting me crash in on your rehearsal time. From what I've seen, you guys have a great shot."
Dominic steps away to give us a chance to say goodbye. I take her in my arms. "Looks like this is it."
"I'd rather stay here," she says softly with disappointment reflecting in her eyes.
I tuck a strand of her hair under her hat. Her words touch me more than she knows. "I know, but once you're back there, you'll be excited for finals. It's only five days."