“Who are you waiting for, Carly?” another paparazzo asked. She’d seen him before, always with a video camera, much like the one he had trained on her now. He was a piece of work. She didn’t answer. It was none of his damn business. “You glad to be back in LA?” he asked. She watched the door instead, realizing sadly that he was only gearing up. She concentrated on the happy occasion and decided to pretend the paps weren’t there.
A flight had clearly just landed as a new group emerged from the glass doors. She shifted her weight and watched the faces for Lauren, having missed her incredibly since they’d said good-bye earlier in the week.
“Sucks that no one wants to hire you anymore, doesn’t it?” the man asked snidely. The others clicked a few photos of her response. Nope. She would hold steady and not let his words affect her. She was here because someone very important to her was arriving. This was a happy occasion. “Guess you’re not pretty enough anymore to cover up the whole can’t-act thing. Your last film sucked, by the way.” More clicks of a lens. The video camera continued to roll. She closed her eyes momentarily until she found the strength she needed to maintain complete composure. She didn’t know this man personally, so why did his words resonate? But she knew. They were the very words she heard in the back of her mind on a daily basis.
When she opened her eyes again, there was Lauren, moving toward her with the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. She wore black pants, a green ribbed turtleneck, and a black and white plaid scarf. Her chestnut hair was down, and she looked absolutely amazing. Happiness hit instantaneously. Carly opened her arms, still clutching the flowers, and Lauren walked straight into her embrace, burying her face in Carly’s hair. All was right with the world again. More clicks.
“Hi,” Carly said quietly. “Hi.” She said that second one with all the feeling bubbling inside of her. It was the most heartfelt hi of her entire existence. She squeezed Lauren again, inhaling her scent.
“Two his for me? I’ll take it,” Lauren said, still not letting go. “Hi back. Twice. God, it’s good to see you. Don’t go anywhere.” Lauren let go and took a step back. They stared at each other happily, making a sight for sore eyes the most relevant phrase on the planet.
Lauren accepted the flowers and took a deep inhale. “I’ve never been given flowers on landing before. These are gorgeous.”
“Times have changed.” Carly wanted to kiss Lauren, greet her properly, but the sounds of cameras clicking not ten feet away stole her courage. Lauren looked over at the motley group. “Wanna grab your bag and get out of here?” Carly asked, trying to divert her focus.
“Yes, please. Show me your city. I would also kill for some food.”
“Coming right up. All of it. I hope you like steak and lobster. I know a place.”
Lauren melted. “You have said all the right words and in a really great order.”
Carly held up a victorious fist in front of her chest. “Nailed it.”
As they walked, Lauren stole glances at the paps who trailed them. “Is this normal for you?” she whispered. “All the cameras. I remember you saying they were around, but so close?”
“Usually not this bad, but they camp out at the airport. Anyone traveling has to come through here, so it’s a good bet they’ll spot someone noteworthy to harass on a daily basis. Today, they found me.” She shrugged.
“I’m sorry.” Lauren squeezed her hand just as video guy jumped in front of them, walking backward as he filmed. “Is she your girlfriend, Carly?” Carly tossed a don’t worry glance to Lauren, who seemed understandably uncomfortable, but said nothing to the paparazzo. “Does she know you’re washed up in this town? Maybe she wants to jump back on that plane.”
Carly held tighter to Lauren’s hand. “Could you give us some space, please? I know you’re just trying to make a living, but we’d like to get my friend’s bag and get out of here.”
“Your friend, huh? Looked like more than that, a minute ago. Hey, I’m making a better living than you are these days, though, right? What do you say to a new line of work? I’ll talk to the boss for you. But you don’t look like you’re smart enough to