“Everyone is not you. I happen to think you’re beautiful, and the alcohol gave me the courage to say so outright. Look at me go.”
Lauren laughed, and then laughed some more.
Carly watched, mystified. “What? I don’t see why that’s funny.” But because Lauren was laughing, she was now, too. “Tell me. I want to be in on the joke.”
“It’s bullshit.” The laughter ebbed slowly, as Lauren sat back in her chair. “Since when do you need alcohol to say what’s on your mind? I’ve never met anyone as confident as you are. You own every room you walk into and know it. Sometimes on purpose, other times, I think it just happens.”
Carly paused and took a moment to sip her drink. Lauren watched her do it, making Carly hyperaware of the things she was feeling. Correction. Craving. “That’s fair. Is it a turnoff? You can be honest.”
“Not entirely.” She suspected the three-quarters of her martini Lauren had consumed made that admission possible. Daytime Lauren wouldn’t have said that in a million years. “Another drink?”
“You’re having a second?” Carly raised an eyebrow. “This is a downright scandal. That’s what this is.”
Lauren met her gaze evenly, almost in challenge. It inspired an enjoyable shiver. “Uber is real, and I’d like more. Is that a bad thing? I can go.”
Carly stood. “It’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever heard. In fact, allow me. Don’t move.”
When she returned to the table, she found one of the scenery people sitting next to Lauren. One of the ones she’d seen painting in the theater. She forgot what they were called. The woman, who sported a dark blond ponytail, turned when Carly sat down.
Lauren gestured to the woman. “Tinsley Worth, meet Carly Daniel. Tinsley is our assistant set designer.”
“Very cool to meet you,” Carly said, taking her hand.
“Likewise. I’m a fan. Loved you in Race the Night,” Tinsley said, but Carly was unable to tell if that was true because Tinsley turned her attention immediately back to Lauren, and began chattering away as if they were alone in the world. It took only two minutes for Carly to understand that this Tinsley girl had a crush, which she totally identified with, but Carly made three and wasn’t the type to nip at heels.
“You’re just always so great with people,” Tinsley gushed to Lauren. “I’ve always thought so. And this shirt looks great on you. Really.”
Lauren glanced down. “Just trying to blend.”
“It’s working. Wait. No. I mean, you never blend, but—”
Lauren touched Tinsley’s arm to steady her. “I translate you.”
Yep. There was a definite adoration vibe happening. Bummed to have lost the moment, Carly slid the mango martini across the table to Lauren and headed off in search of fun because the night was too short to waste. She found Trip and TJ, who played the gate agent who informed the main characters that they missed their flight. She’d already decided TJ was good people. The two were in the billiards section of the bar, contemplating a game of pool.
“You want in?” TJ asked her.
“I’m not from around these parts, you know,” she told them, batting her eyelashes like a naïve little lady. She wasn’t half bad at pool, though, and was prepared to flaunt the hell out of that. She was competitive to a fault.
“All right,” TJ said. “You and me versus Trip and—”
“Me.”
She turned to see Kirby sidle up next to Trip. The two high-fived and exploded their hands.
Carly put her hands on her hips. “Well, this should be interesting.”
It wasn’t, though. She and TJ cleared the table on the other duo in under six minutes. Losers bought drinks, and to slow her roll so the night would last, Carly opted for a dressed Dos Equis she could sip slowly.
“Who’s taking us on next?” TJ asked. “Where are the brave souls? Step right up. That’s right.”
“I’m out,” Kirby said. “Gotta call Joe. He waits up to say good night. He’s a doll.”
“I’ll partner with Trip,” a voice from behind said. Carly turned, and her beer went still on the way to her lips. Lauren.
Trip walked to her and offered a high five. “All right, Lala. You and me. Let’s do this.”
“Lauren, do you know the rules?” Carly asked with a small smile. “I can explain them.”
“I was hoping to figure them out as I went,” she said with a hopeful wince. “Think that might work?”
Carly laughed. “Let’s give it a try and see.”
But she was a damn liar, because after just sixty seconds she’d made quick