than reliable, Carly didn’t have too many people she would consider close to her. A million acquaintances? Sure. But she tended to keep people in that category on purpose. Fallon was different, and she treasured their friendship.
Fallon set the magazine aside and blinked at Carly. She had her jet black hair pulled back in a ponytail which accentuated the earnestness in her eyes.
“It looks like you have something on your mind,” Carly said. “I may be crazy, but I’ve known you a while.”
“I’m worried about you,” Fallon said simply.
Carly tossed the plaid shirt into her open suitcase, deciding if nothing else, she could always tie it around her waist. “That I’ll be in Minnesota when autumn hits? Oh, me, too. I’m not built for extreme cold. I’m a cabana in the summer kind of girl. Maybe you can send me igloo building instructions.”
Fallon inclined her head to the side as if waiting for a loud noise to cease. “I know that it’s your instinct to joke your way through most anything serious, but that’s part of the problem. I love you, so let me say this.”
Carly paused midfold, with an ache in the pit of her stomach. If anyone could make her shut up for a moment and listen, it was her best friend. Fallon was grounded, kind, and intelligent. Because her thoughts were important, Carly took a seat on the plush beige bench in her closet. “Okay. Sure, Fal. I’m listening.”
“Don’t screw this up. I know you think that Hollywood sidelining you is temporary, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re on The Tonight Show again, but it’s not.” Fallon now read scripts for a major studio and was in a good spot to have her ear to the ground. She would know, which Carly found sobering. “You need to get your act together and show the world that you are a wise investment again.”
Carly smiled. “I get that. But, Fallon, this is some little stage production that no one is going to see or talk about. How hard could it be?”
Fallon pointed at her. “I love you, and you have a kinder heart than most people realize, but it’s that kind of thinking that’s going to bite you in the ass and have you doing informercials to pay the mortgage on a house that could fit in a tiny corner of this one.” Fallon pushed herself up and placed her hands on Carly’s knees. “Take this very seriously, and do the best work of your life.”
Carly offered a mock salute and a smile. Her goal was to reassure Fallon, but honestly, she wasn’t concerned. This play should be a cakewalk, and then she’d get back to the business of her real life. She gave Fallon’s hair an affectionate ruffle. “You got it. My best behavior.”
Fallon sighed. “You’re doing very little to convince me.”
* * *
“Wow, so you’re doing the show,” Trip said, sliding in next to Lauren on the first day of rehearsal. “I was shocked when I heard. Twizzler?”
“No, thanks.” She sighed, then reconsidered and snatched a rope. “I put my entire vacation on hold. Can you believe I did that? I still can’t. I’m in mourning and still tanless.” She made a circle in the air with her Twizzler. “It’s a whole thing.”
“Noted.” Trip, who’d make a great PSM someday, grinned. His mop of brown curls seemed to contribute to his enjoyment. In fact, his hair had a way of communicating emotion in the most rare sense. Lauren had never seen anything like it. When he was happy, his hair bounced. When he felt depressed, it fell softly against his forehead. When he partied, it stood straight up. She wasn’t sure how in the world he managed to personify emotion so perfectly.
He gestured back with his Twizzler. “Must have made you quite the deal because you were dead set on getting out of here for a while. Still can’t believe anything was able to keep you from the beach. You’ve been talking about it for a year. Not that I’m cataloging you.”
“You have no idea how badly this hurts.” She shrugged. “But I’m human, and I saw the dollar signs and leaped. I could use that cash, and now I’m an official whore in stage manager’s clothing, and you should feel free to call me such.” She pointed with her Twizzler. “Daily.” Lauren shook her head as she reflected on the large bonus Wilks had tacked on to her normal paycheck. He must have