backed away from the bar, hands out. “No, no, no. I don’t drink during the workday. Ever. Strict rule.”
“I applaud your resolve, and you’re right. Not advisable. But you’re nervous, and you’re in your head, and just for today, let’s help you out of it. Your rule can go firmly back in place tomorrow. What do you say?”
Lauren let her head fall back as if she was a teenager who had just been asked to clean her room. “Fine. I surrender to your wisdom.” She popped back up. “Not on everything. You struggle with decorum, responsibility, and arriving on time.”
“I also suck at singing, doing my taxes myself, and figuring out how to get the thermostat in my apartment to do what I want it to.” Lauren stared at her. “Well, it seemed like you’re keeping a list, so I thought I’d contribute.” Lauren seemed to relax a little bit. A little self-deprecation went a long way, apparently. Carly met her gaze. “I also get nervous, you know.”
“Pshh,” Lauren said. “You absolutely do not. I’ve been watching you for a couple of weeks now.”
“Do so. Why do you think I get caught up with parties and staying out late and—”
“Outrageous riders? I heard you had it written into your last film contract that there had to be a fluffy white bearskin rug on the floor of your trailer in addition to a fresh tray of European cheeses, but that Brie would not be tolerated.”
Carly grinned. “You googled me. Does that mean you like me? Can’t stop thinking about me?”
“Common problem,” the bartender said, interjecting with a wink. She smiled at him as he deposited their Diet Cokes, but didn’t encourage him further.
Lauren seemed focused on her drink. She looked so beautiful today. Dark blue jeans and green crocheted blouse that looked perfect for September. “I googled you to know what kind of human I was about to have on my hands.”
“You mean, in addition to liking me.” Carly bounced her eyebrows playfully.
“Yes, I happen to like you. There.”
“Also? That rider is completely exaggerated. That’s not at all what my rider looks like.”
“Huh. Well, who would have guessed the gossip magazines weren’t truthful?” Carly nearly spat her Diet Coke across the bar. Lauren laughed.
This was progress. She had fun bantering with Lauren. They were so different in their takes on the world. She never got bored with her. “By way of correction, I asked for cheese cubes, chocolate covered pretzels, and a fluffy blanket because I get cold. No bears were harmed in the making. What do you take me for? I love all adorable creatures. Don’t believe everything you read about me, Lauren.”
“I no longer will.”
Their fries arrived hot out of the fryer, and Carly popped one, closing her eyes as it practically melted in her mouth. She moaned quietly and felt Lauren’s gaze on her. When Carly turned, purposefully catching Lauren in the act of checking her out, Lauren quickly feigned interest in the fry basket. “So, the partying you were talking about?”
“The recreation. Ah, yes.” Carly chewed her food and tried to figure out how to explain. “It was a way to take my focus off the work. If I thought about the film all day, whatever part I was trying to tackle, it consumed me and wound up undoing any and all progress. When I started goofing off, I thought about work less and just did my job when I got there. It seemed to work until…”
“Until?”
Carly shrugged. “I got spoiled and greedy. You were right when you pointed that out. I didn’t take other people, or their goals, into consideration and just did what worked for me.” She shook her head. “And now, I’m trying to climb my way back out, and do better.”
“I’ve seen a difference.”
“Yeah?” Carly bumped Lauren’s shoulder with hers and took a pull from her soda.
“Yes,” Lauren said, meeting Carly’s gaze. “Your head is definitely in the game a lot more than when you first showed up for that table read.”
Carly winced. “That was a pretty awful entrance. I get that now that I have a feel for the culture here. God.”
“You’ve rebounded.” Lauren shook her head and stared at the array of bottles that lined the shelf behind the bar. “I hope I do.”
“What has you out of sorts? You were fine yesterday.”
Lauren shook her head. “I’m Wendy and I’m going to bring the set tumbling down all over again.”
Nope. Carly wasn’t letting that kind of defeatist talk fly. “That mentality