Lauren scrolled to the next voicemail and hit play. “Hiya, Lauren. Dave Pell from Playbill Online. Would love to ask you a few questions about your Cinderella story working on Starry Nights. I think our readers would love to hear about it. Give me a ring.”
She jotted down Dave’s number for later, still not believing that Playbill was calling her.
Next message. “Good afternoon, Ms. Prescott. Jim Lawson from United Talent Agency calling to chat. Hoping to hear from you. I think we could do some great things if we worked together.” Well, there was that possible representation Elissa Newman was asking about. UTA was a top agency. She took his number down, too.
Lauren smiled at the warm lips on the back of her neck. “Antonio, we have to stop sneaking around like this,” she whispered. The nibbling didn’t stop. “But I must say your kissing has improved. Your lips, they’re amazing.” She turned, gasped, and covered her mouth in mock surprise. “What? Famous actress Carly Daniel!”
Carly straightened. “Do I need to challenge this Antonio to a duel? I’ll need to ask Trip for a sword.”
“I think they use pistols for those things, but no way. I kicked Antonio to the curb the moment I felt those amazing lips.” She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically.
Carly met Lauren’s gaze in the lighted mirror. “Fantastic. Now talk dirty to me. List some office supplies.”
Lauren laughed and dropped her voice as Carly kissed across her exposed shoulder blade. “Stapler. File folder. Rubber band.”
“God, yes,” Carly murmured. “More.”
“Sharpened pencil.”
Carly sucked in air. “I can’t fucking believe it’s sharpened. What are you trying to do to me?”
Lauren chuckled and pulled Carly into her lap. “How are you feeling today? Better?”
Carly’s smile dimmed. “I’m good.” She shrugged. “Talked to Alika about lining up some meetings for when I get back to LA. Auditions, too. I have no problem proving myself all over again. If anything, this experience has taught me about the value of hard work.” She nodded. “I’m ready to do it.”
“I know you are. Everyone else is going to know soon, too.” Thinking about Carly going back to LA reminded Lauren that they were close to the halfway mark on their four-week run of the show. That put an uncomfortable lump right in the middle of her throat. Lauren didn’t want this journey with the show to end, or her time with Carly. She also couldn’t fathom not working with Carly every day. The concept of her returning to LA was one she hadn’t quite examined fully. Maybe that was naïve of her, but it felt more like a guarding of her own heart, which she’d all but surrendered to Carly lately.
“Where did you go just now?” Carly asked, angling a strand of hair behind Lauren’s ear. “You got that faraway look in your eye, and it’s rare for you to drift away.” She tapped Lauren’s temple. “Always so focused.”
“Thinking about when the show closes.” She felt the wistful look creep onto her face right on cue. The future felt uncertain, and for someone who thrived on planning, that was a daunting prospect.
Carly sighed, mirroring Lauren’s emotions. “You know, when I think about that particular topic, it always involves a side narrative where you come back to LA with me. Make a go of it out there. We fly through the streets with the top down on my convertible. We do some kissing, too. Maybe stop at Starbucks. Then, more kissing.”
“Of course you drive a convertible back home, too. What kind?”
“I drive a 911 most of the time.”
Lauren blinked. “I have no idea what that is. Is it bigger than a Mini Countryman? Does it have a siren?”
“No, and no. A 911 is a Porsche.”
“Well, yeah,” Lauren said, as if it was the most natural thing in all the land. “Everyone knows the names of all the Porsche models. So incredibly common.” Lauren laughed in that hoity-toity way she imagined a rich person would.
“You’re adorable.” Carly shook her head, staring at Lauren with pure affection. “I’m keeping you and taking you to LA. Discussion closed.”
Lauren opened her mouth and closed it. “I don’t know.” The concept was terrifying. She’d taken years to finally establish herself as a top-tier stage manager at The McAllister, a theater she cherished. Yet the attention this role had earned her propped open a door to a long-forgotten dream. She needed to figure out what the next step in her life would be. What did she want out of