had one of the most amazing experiences not just one hour ago, and we’re taking about liking rain.”
Carly wasn’t deterred. Maybe it was because of her high that she wanted to be even closer to Lauren. Hearing about what went on her head was part of that. “What else?”
“I color when I’m stressed in those fancy adult coloring books. I also really like yoga when I have the time for it, which is rare.”
“Me, too,” Carly said. “Not the coloring part. I’ve never tried that, but yoga has been amazing for my body and concentration. We should jump into a class together next week.”
“We’d get kicked out.”
“What? Why?”
“You in yoga pants? Not good for my reputation around town.”
Carly laughed but loved that Lauren had just confessed to lusting after her. “Moving yoga pants to the front of my wardrobe.”
“Don’t you dare,” Lauren said.
The Argyle was alive and humming when they arrived. Music played from a quartet in the corner, waiters walked past with full glasses of wine on trays, and everyone was smiling. The club, inhabited exclusively by The McAllister staff and the company from Starry Nights, broke into applause for Carly and Lauren as they made their way into the drawing room. Carly turned to Lauren and applauded for her, because her journey truly was an amazing one.
Lauren, in her typical fashion, waved them off and turned a bright shade of red. She finally covered her face. Carly’s chest swelled with affection.
“Will you excuse me for one moment?” Lauren said, eyeing something across the room.
“Of course. I’ll grab us drinks.”
Carly watched as Lauren walked straight into the arms of a woman who simply had to be her mother. Same chestnut brown hair and light eyes, with just a few more lines on her face. The man next to her grinned just the way Lauren did when she was genuinely happy. When the women embraced, there were sentimental tears on both sides. Carly turned away to give them a moment and focused on snagging those drinks. She should have invited more people to the opening, she realized. Her mother likely could have gotten off work at the vineyard and made the trip, if only Carly hadn’t downplayed the whole affair due to a lack of experience. If only she’d anticipated how important the show would feel to her.
Once Carly had their glasses of champagne, she turned to see Lauren beckoning her over.
Balancing the drinks, she maneuvered the crowd, accepting their congratulations on a good show until she arrived next to Lauren.
“Thank you,” Lauren said, accepting the flute of bubbly. “Carly Daniel, I’d like you to meet my parents, John and Karen Prescott.”
“Hi,” Carly said brightly. “It’s so nice—” It was too late. She was already pulled into a hug, very similar to the one she’d just seen bestowed upon Lauren.
“We know exactly who you are. Of course we do. And we’re so excited to meet you in person.” Lauren’s mother released her from the hug but kept both hands on Carly’s shoulders. “You stole our hearts tonight. First you were bristling and buttoned-up—then you were vulnerable and hurting.” Karen pantomimed each of the actions. “We rooted for you.”
“Thank you,” Carly said, feeling all aflutter. She’d received tons of compliments on her work in the past, but this one carried a lot of weight. Karen said it with such unbridled, warm sincerity. Plus, she was an extension of Lauren, so her opinion was weighted heavily in Carly’s book. “I was lucky enough to share the stage with an amazing co-star.”
“I can’t imagine who that could be,” Karen said, in an overexaggerated tone that was so hokey, it looped back around to cute. “Oh, wait. That’s you!” She released Carly and slid an arm around her daughter, who grinned, bashful at too much attention, as always. Lauren was the opposite of an attention hog, Carly realized, which was rare in an actress. Perhaps it was that selfless quality that held her back from success in her earlier acting days. Show business was cutthroat, and Lauren was a giver, not a taker. In Carly’s mind, it was a compliment.
“Listen,” Carly explained to Karen and John, “the minute Lauren stepped into the role, everything about my performance changed. Suddenly, I understood Ashley and what her journey had to be. Without Lauren, I’m not sure it ever would have clicked into place.”
She and Lauren exchanged a private glance.
They’d been through a lot together. She almost couldn’t remember what life was like without Lauren in it.