dollars richer. Carly threw her arms around her victorious partner, and they did a little dance that pulled a laugh from the audience and host.
When the game show wrapped filming, Carly found herself on an adrenaline high. She’d shot two back-to-back episodes that day, and it was honestly the most fun she’d had in a long time. She’d made a point of going into the situation with a light heart and a plan to have fun. Both had definitely helped her release some of the expectations she had for herself.
“Ms. Daniel?” She turned and smiled at the man in a suit moving toward her. “You were fantastic today. Any chance you’d be interested in taking a turn as one of our celebrity competitors on To Tell the Truth? You have such sparkle that I think you’d be wonderful. More opportunity to show off your personality.”
“I’d love to. Give my agent a call, but I’m in.”
“Will do. Thanks again for appearing.”
“I had the best time.” She didn’t even have to bolster her enthusiasm. It was real. When she gathered her belongings and returned to her car, she had a message waiting from her Realtor.
“We have a full-ask offer on the house. Call me.” She blinked at the horizon as fear crept in. Yes, she needed to let go of the home that was way too big for one person, and also a burden to her bank account. Without that huge mortgage and upkeep costs looming over her each month, she’d breathe so much easier, decreasing the pressure on her to make the kind of money she used to. Still, the unknown was a little scary. She and Fallon had a date to go house hunting in a less expensive part of Hollywood. She’d always been a fan of the shops and restaurants in Franklin Village and planned to check out what they had on the market.
She called her real estate agent and listened to the details of the all-cash offer. “They want a fast close. Two weeks. What do you think?”
She closed her eyes, saying good-bye to her infinity pool, knowing there were many things, and more specifically people, that made her happier. “Take the deal.”
“You’re a smart woman,” her agent said.
“Trying to be.”
She clicked off the call. As she drove home, she felt…lighter. She flipped on the radio and sang along, with a smile. When she got home, she fired off a text to Lauren, who she’d left alone for the past two weeks while she did as Lauren had asked: worked on herself. Today felt like a step toward being happy again, and she wanted to share that.
Today was a good day, she typed. Thinking about you. You don’t have to answer me, just wanted to share.
She didn’t receive an answer and that was okay. It hadn’t been the reason for the text. She went to sleep that night knowing this wouldn’t be her bedroom for long.
The next morning, Alika called. “You’re not going to believe this, but the game show people think you’re the damn bee’s knees and want you for another one.”
She laughed. “I had a blast. Tell them yes. My calendar seems to be open.”
“They’re shooting in a week and will send over some background information about what they’re looking for.”
“Good thing I love games.”
“Is this the wildest idea we’ve ever had?” Alika asked. She was smiling, though. Carly could hear it.
She sighed. “I’ve stopped trying to run the Hollywood race. I think, Alika, it’s time to be a good person and enjoy what life brings my way. That seems to be game shows, and I’m thrilled.”
“Then who are we to argue?”
Carly shook her head. Who, indeed?
* * *
Lauren’s neck ached from rehearsal. Blocking days always did a number on her upper body because she concentrated and recorded the details of the direction for hours on end. She’d say one thing for certain, however. She saw the whole process through a different lens after having starred in a professional production herself. She rubbed the back of her neck as she flipped over the breast of chicken she was frying up for her dinner. Rocky IV whined quietly.
“You need to learn to be more patient, Rocky. I plan to give you some of this chicken on top of your kibble, but it’s not ready yet.” He snuffled and turned in a circle, his curlicue tail set on vibrate. It wasn’t the only thing vibrating. Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Trip.