Lana

Lana felt like she had a garden full of butterflies in her belly. She didn't belong in this room. She didn't belong at Ryan's side. He deserved a sophisticated beauty to match his handsome appearance. Isobel was everything she wasn't and more - except Lana wasn't a thief. Ryan must have known she was nervous because he didn't let her go. If his hand wasn't around her waist, he was holding her hand. She was hoping the acrobats in her stomach that flipped every time Ryan touched her or looked at her would kill the butterflies.

Anytime she spoke she didn't recognize herself. It was as if she was an actor in a play. She purposely mentioned Ryan's mother, so Isobel would know she wasn't some girl he rented for the night. She needed to feel like she belonged with Ryan if only for the evening. Tomorrow she would go back to her little life and start convincing herself Ryan Harris was just her friend. It didn't matter what her heart felt. She had no future with him because they wanted different things.

She would sing for him because she wanted to prove to Isobel Ryan was better than the bitch and maybe being on stage again would help her move past the hurt she had been holding onto for far too long. She felt a dread, because she had to follow the tenor's incredible voice. Ryan encouraged her and as promised he stood and watched her the entire time. Her eyes were like magnets to his. She couldn't look away if she wanted to, but neither did he. She loved the song, but the words were true. Knowing Ryan had changed her for good.

Relief washed over her the minute she was done. The applause erupted, and she smiled at Ryan as she walked toward him.

"You were amazing!"

He held her hand again, and she felt the heat of his touch radiate up her arm. How was she going to stop loving him? Of all the men in the world, she had to choose the wrong one to fall in love with. She considered asking him for just one night, but knew her heart would never recover. They took their seats at the table and the rest of the performances were a blur as she basked in the glow of Ryan's hand in hers. Just for tonight, she repeated to herself.

After the last performance, the woman she met earlier as Ryan friend, Rita, went to the podium. "The judges didn't feel they could unanimously award one performer. We have awarded a tie to two amazing, talented artists. The first of the two is Mr. Hayden Mueller for his performance of The Music of The Night from the musical The Phantom of the Opera and the second is Ms. Lana Drake for her performance of For Good from the musical Wicked. We had asked the winner to sing an encore, but perhaps our two winners could grace us with a song together.

It shocked Lana the minute she heard her name. Ryan beamed, and it was Heidi who called out. "Lana, go talk to the other winner. They want you to sing again."

Lana stood and walked towards the tenor. He smiled at her. "I would be honored to share a song with you. Do you have a suggestion?"

All Lana could think of was Phantom and her suggestion came out as a squeak. "All I ask of you?"

He smiled. "Perfect."

He went to speak to the piano accompanist and gestured Lana into the spotlight again. She searched her eyes until she found Ryan. He was smiling at her. Thankful Raoul's part came before Christine's as Hayden sang, "No more talk of darkness..."

Lana had sung this song more times than she could count while cleaning. She didn't have to think when her part came as she sang, "Say you'll love me every waking moment turn my head with thoughts of summertime..." She imagined the words were hers and it was Ryan who was asking her to share his life.

When they finished, Hayden hugged her and the crowd erupted in applause. Lana lost Ryan because people were standing. She searched for him until he appeared in front of her beaming.

"You were incredible. I think I've been missing out by never seeing any musicals. What is your favorite?"

"Too many, but the first song I sang was from Wicked which is definitely at the top of my list."

"Do you want to eat something now?"

Her belly was still unsettled, but she knew it was also empty. "Maybe a little."

They picked a few things off the buffet and sat at their table again. Ryan snagged two more glasses of champagne and they ate silently. People congratulated Lana. One woman invited Lana to join her adult choir. "We put on quite the Christmas concert."

Lana took her card. "Thank you it sounds lovely, but I'm from out of state."

She could google the choir later to find out what she was missing.

Ryan whispered to her. "Everyone loves you. I secretly wish it wasn't a tie."

Lana smiled as her heart hammered in her chest.

The band started to play and guests began dancing. Lana watched the elegant couples glide around the dance floor. Once again she felt like she didn't belong.

"Dance with me." She shook her head. "We can turn in circles like at a high school dance."

She laughed. "I can't imagine you at a high school dance."

"No, I was probably under the bleachers with my hand in..."

She laughed because Ryan never denied his reputation as a kid.

"Please, Lan."

His deep brown eyes delved into hers and she nodded. She liked being in his embrace. Once she fell into his arms, she didn't know where to look. She wanted to look into his eyes, but Ryan resolved her dilemma when he pulled her close and she rested her head on his shoulder. Her body was alive with sensations pulsing everywhere. She felt his breath on her neck and she tensed as his lips touched her neck behind her ear. Lifting her head she looked up at him. His eyes looked dark, darker than she had ever seen. She felt a numbness in her chest. His lips went back to her ear as he whispered so quietly she wasn't certain she heard him. "Lan, I need to tell you... I promised no more secrets."

She snapped her head back and looked at him confused. What secret could he have? He looked down at her. "I miss you."

She wasn't sure that she understood him. "What did you say?"

Ryan's eyes looked scared. "I know that you probably don't feel the same, but I wanted you to know that I care about you and miss you and want to be with you."

"With me? What do you mean." She didn't understand him.

He released her and grabbed her hand. "Come with me."

She followed him as her head swum with his words and wondered what he meant by them. He pulled her to the lobby where it was quieter. He sat with her on a couch and took both her hands.

"What's the deal with you and Erik? Are you going back to him?"

"I've told you I'm not. I don't hate him anymore."

"I don't want to be your friend." She was confused. "I want more. It happened slowly, but I have no doubt that I want to be with you. I need you. I have no idea what you feel about me, but you need to know I understand what it means to be with you and I will give you what you want."

Her heart skipped a beat. "What I want?"

He nodded. "If you love me, then I'm prepared to give you everything Erik couldn't. Tell me do I have a chance with you?"

"Love you?"

Ryan Harris was talking about love. Was she dreaming?

"Is it mutual? Because I've fallen in love with you."

She nodded feeling numb with disbelief. "How could you suddenly just changed your mind about everything you hated?"

"Because of you, I will try to make you understand, but it's a long story. Come home with me and I'll tell you. Just to talk."

She wasn't sure if she was disappointed or glad he only wanted to talk. She found her voice. "Yes. I want to hear anything you want to tell me."

"I've been so nervous all night. I was afraid I'd scare you off or you'd tell me you wanted Erik."

How could he think she wanted Erik?

She shook her head. "I sang for you."

The duet with the Broadway Tenor: