In fact, everything before seemed unimportant, superficial, and so very far away. Her feet felt more firmly planted on the ground now, her self-awareness, though not always easy to swallow, was fully in effect, and she wanted things for herself that she’d never wanted before. Who was she exactly?
Karen latched on to Carly’s wrist. “Seeing little Lauren, our Boop, up there reminded me of when she’d stand on top of her toy box and sing songs from Annie to her stuffed animals. She would even act out the group orphan scenes, playing all the parts.”
Carly raised an eyebrow and faced Lauren. “Well, who knew?”
Lauren covered her face. “No more little Lauren stories, okay? Can I get you guys a drink?”
“No, no,” John said, taking Karen’s hand. “We’re getting out of your hair. Let the show people celebrate without the parents. So proud of you, Laur.”
Karen beamed. “Just wanted to stop by and tell you what a star you were tonight, my tiny baby Boop.”
Lauren laughed. “Mother, you cannot call me that right now.” She softened. “But thank you. Means the world that you were here tonight.”
Carly’s heart squeezed, and she felt like she’d wandered onto the set of a Hallmark movie where the parents were amazing and later, they’d light a Christmas tree in the town square. “Fantastic meeting you.”
Karen squealed and cupped Carly’s cheeks. “Come visit us someday, you famous person. We’re just a couple hours by car. I’ll make you chicken and waffles and a mimosa.”
Carly laughed at the specificity. “How can one pass that up?”
“They can’t,” Karen said, triumphantly.
“Come on now,” John said, with a gotta-get-her-outta-here look. “Past our power-down time.”
Lauren walked her parents to the car, and Carly worked the room, feeling happy, warm, and connected to each person.
“You were amazing tonight,” Kirby gushed.
“You were, too,” Carly said, feeling the love.
“And I love your hair.” Kirby touched a strand. “What did you do to it?”
“Thanks, Kirby. Just a few curls.”
“I’m going to try that.” Kirby stepped in closer. “So, are you nervous?”
“About tomorrow? No, I feel good.”
“I mean about the reviews. They’ll be out in just a few hours. I imagine people will be watching to see how you did, right? All eyes on you.”
Carly went still. She didn’t realize the feedback would be so imminent. A few hours? But Kirby was right. She’d come to Minneapolis to prove herself as a reliable, serious actress, but if the reviews hated her, what then? “Trying not to dwell on that part,” she confessed.
Kirby looked extra serious. “Oh. I bet it will be fine.”
“Of course,” Carly said, blowing off her concern. “Plus, tonight is a celebration.”
“Everything okay?” Lauren asked, touching the small of her back.
“Of course,” Carly said. But she wanted to be out of there before those reviews hit. She didn’t want anything to ruin her celebration. “Your parents are not real. You know that, right?”
“I’m a lucky person to have them. But the fact that she just impersonated my rendition of ‘Tomorrow’ from the running board of my dad’s truck just as Ethan, of all people, walked past on his way into the club, tells me that they are very much real and embarrassing as hell.”
“Stop complaining about your amazing life and drink this expensive private club wine.” She handed Lauren back her drink that she’d taken custody of. They locked eyes and touched their glasses. Carly saw Kirby’s eyes grow wide in her peripheral vision. Apparently, the intimate look they’d just shared had spoken to Kirby, who dashed off like she’d left the oven on. Everyone would know the nature of their relationship in just under six minutes. Carly was fairly confident.
They stayed through the toasts, standing next to each other. Lauren touched her pinkie to Carly’s. They stayed through a second drink. Carly loved the little lip prints Lauren’s lipstick left on her glass. She imagined herself kissing those lips later, tasting the remnants of that drink. They stayed through the quartet packing up and the party shifting into full gear when the loud recorded music began. She danced subtly with Lauren, who pressed her hips in close, behind Carly’s.
“Wanna get out of here?” Carly whispered as she turned in Lauren’s arms. Lots of eyes were on them, and she craved alone time in the worst way.
“Lead the way.”
They didn’t make a big deal of their departure. After all, they’d see everyone the very next day. Lauren quietly said good-bye to Trip, and with the formality of the gathering out of the way, all