deal. Carly had already flown home, and though they’d only been apart a day and a half, Lauren already missed her like crazy. The distance made all the difference.
“The photos from curtain call looked so emotional,” her mother said. “Was it as memorable as it looked? I just wish we could have been there for the last one. We almost bought tickets from a scalper.”
Lauren laughed. “You were there for opening. That was enough. As for your question, the closing show was like saying good-bye to the most unexpected best friend.” She met her mother’s eyes. “You know, I still can’t believe the whole thing was real. That any of this is.”
She thought back on just a few nights prior, standing downstage, her hand firmly in Carly’s as they took their final bows and said farewell to characters who they not only loved, but who had been instrumental in their own relationship. Starry Nights was what brought Carly to her and made Lauren step out of her comfort zone in a million different other capacities as well. The whole experience had been a dream come true, and Lauren was a different human for it.
“We’ll see you back in a few weeks?” Wilks asked, as she performed the bittersweet task of cleaning out her dressing room the next day. Luckily, the stage management office was just down the hall, and she wouldn’t have to travel far.
She smiled at him. “I have no reason to say no at this point.”
“Until you do.” His face held affection and understanding.
She shrugged. “This business, Wilks…I’m not sure I’ll ever have a true handle on how it works, and I’ve been at it for years.”
“That’s because it’s always changing, presenting one surprise after another. One of the reasons we love it.” He opened his arms for a hug, and she moved easily into them. Since she’d started work at The McAllister, Wilks had been not only a solid boss, but a kind mentor. He’d shared his wisdom with her, and she trusted him.
“Thank you for everything,” she said. “I mean that.” This wasn’t necessarily good-bye, but it felt like it.
He released her. “I feel I should be saying those words to you. You’re a class act, Lauren Prescott.” He shook his finger at her as he walked away. “And for selfish reasons, I’m going to pray you walk through those doors in a few weeks. I have a theater to run, you know.”
“Good-bye, Wilks. I’ll miss you.” He kept walking. He was a sweet man, but sentimentality made him a little itchy.
Saying good-bye to Carly had been a different story. They’d be apart for under a week, but after the intensity of the last month and a half, she’d feel empty without Carly by her side. They’d become an inseparable team, both at work and after.
“Do you have something to put on in case you get cold?” Lauren had asked, as they stood outside of her place, waiting for the private car that would take Carly to the airport.
Carly gestured to her Chanel bag. “I have a cardigan tucked away, just in case.”
“Good. What about snacks for the plane?”
“I’m flying first class, but if you want me to carry a sack lunch, I can. We can write my name in my clothes, too.” She grinned.
“Cheeky,” Lauren said. She was nervous, and when she was nervous, she overprepared. That apparently now extended to Carly, too. “I’m taking care of you. It’s what I do.”
Carly had held on to the sides of Lauren’s unzipped hoodie. “You took very good care of me this morning,” Carly said, alluding to their leisurely morning in bed. With Carly’s housing running out when the show closed, she’d spent the last couple of days at Lauren’s place, which had been the perfect way to decompress from the run of the show. Not that they’d done a lot of resting. “When does your flight arrive on Friday?”
“A little after four.”
“Perfect.” Carly got her idea face on. “We can go somewhere fantastic for dinner.”
“I’ll leave that planning up to you.”
Carly took a dramatic step back. “Who are you? The Lauren I know plans everything. Get off her lawn.”
Lauren laughed. “I’ll miss you until then. Even your overly dramatic proclamations.”
“I don’t know. After a few drama-free days, you may decide life is easier without this girl. Who’s going to lament loudly when you’re out of milk?”
“No one as loud about it as you are. That’s for sure.” They heard the sound of a car pulling into