air, but nothing near as harsh as Minnesota this time of year.
Lauren had traveled briefly to California when deciding where to pursue her career after college, ultimately deciding on New York City for a while. But this trip felt different. Low stress. Breezy. It was her second day in LA, and she planned to take it all in.
She woke just past eight, placed a kiss on a sleeping Carly’s cheek, and snuck out of bed. She looked back because she loved the way Carly slept, with a fist tucked just below her chin. Lauren shook her head at the serenity of the image and marveled at how it made her chest squeeze happily. She wanted to bottle and store this moment. Instead, she took a mental snapshot and resisted the urge to climb back into bed with the beautiful naked woman before her. There would be plenty of time for that ahead.
Carly’s house in the Hollywood Hills was modern, open, and expansive. It swam in natural light, which made the morning feel like a cheerful one. She made herself at home and started a pot of coffee, even though it took her fifteen minutes to figure out how to use the very foreign looking silver coffee machine. Much like she had in Minneapolis, Carly, and the hurricane she could sometimes be, kept a surprisingly neat house. Mail in a stack on the counter. Spices in a line on the rack. Only her refrigerator looked like the Carly she knew, as, for the most part, it sat empty.
“Are you stalking my groceries?”
Lauren turned at the sound of Carly’s morning voice. She stood across the white marble countertop wearing a navy T-shirt with the image of a pink lip print across the top. She couldn’t see the bottom half of her, but Lauren would wager that T-shirt was all she was wearing.
“You might need a few more. It’s true. Good morning.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Grape jelly and pickles make for a great meal.” She came around the counter and wrapped her hands around Lauren’s waist. “Good morning. You’re in my house.”
Lauren glanced around. “Surreal.”
“Isn’t it? I suppose it’s only fair. I’ve been to yours, land of full fridges and mighty pugs.” She kissed Lauren sweetly and released her, heading over to grab a coffee cup from the cute little rack they hung on. “How’s he doing?”
Lauren smiled. She missed Rocky IV, but he was bunking happily with his buddy, Trip, and she would see him soon enough. “Trip said he snored all night but woke up ready to play.”
“I can identify,” Carly said with a raised eyebrow as she doctored her coffee. “But you were out of bed before I could capitalize.”
Lauren was now regretting that decision, especially as she caught sight of Carly’s ass peeking out from the hem of that T-shirt. She squeezed her shoulders together at what it did to her.
“You have your meeting today?” Carly asked. She turned around, leaned against the counter, and took a sip of her coffee. Carly had amazing legs. And thighs, and—
“I’m sorry, what?”
Carly grinned. “Your meeting.”
“Yes. I have a meeting with my agent at one, and an audition just after that.”
“An audition on your second day? That’s amazing. What’s it for?”
“A rental car commercial. Apparently, I look like someone who might be capable of selling a temporary vehicle.” She did her best The Price Is Right impersonation. “Who knew?”
“Me. You could sell me anything.”
“Filing away. What do you have going today?” She watched as Carly’s features shifted to blank.
“Just going to catch my breath, I think. Play hostess to my out-of-town guest. Fluff her pillow.”
Lauren smiled, but understood she’d struck a sore spot. Carly was still struggling to be seen for the caliber of roles she was used to. “It’s going to take time, you know, to get them to think of you as a viable choice again. But they will.”
Carly offered a less than convincing smile. “Yeah. I’m sure you’re right.” A pause. “I hope you are.” She set her coffee cup on the counter. “While the executives figure that out, I’m going to hop in the shower.” To illustrate the claim, she freed herself of the T-shirt as she walked. Lauren blinked at her perfect, stark-naked body as she walked through the sunbathed kitchen. Carly turned back casually. “Wanna watch?”
Lauren decided then and there that she really, really liked Los Angeles.
Chapter Fifteen
The Fig and Olive on Melrose was hopping when Carly met Alika for lunch later that