Carly frowned. She’d behaved badly, partied too hard, and taken advantage of her status in Hollywood, imagining she’d be solid no matter what she did, including holding up production when she’d failed to make her call times. She’d fallen into the Valley of the Stupid and was paying for it mightily. It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if that hotheaded director hadn’t run to every media outlet who would listen and exaggerated all that had happened. It didn’t matter how sorry she was, or how vehemently she planned to be different moving forward. No more late partying. No more late arrivals, no more pushy opinions, and definitely no more hookups who would tell all to the tabloids. She truly regretted that one night with the Norwegian woman who sold compromising photos of them to The Inquirer. Her kingdom for a time machine. Yet she’d been on the straight and narrow for months now, and no one cared. Well, maybe until now. She backtracked to the important part, leaving the Barrow news in the past. “But there’s an offer?”

“Not one you’re going to be thrilled with, but if you ask me, we’re lucky to get it.” There was a weariness in Alika’s tone, and the words themselves didn’t bode well, either.

“Okay, I guess. Tell me about it?”

“The McAllister Theater in Minneapolis is mounting a production of a new play, Starry Nights.”

Carly squinted and noticed absently her tan was in great shape. That was a bonus, at least. “Like the Van Gogh painting?”

“The script is inspired by the painting, yes, and I’ve gotta be honest with you, it’s good. The director, Ethan Moore—no relation, by the way—has offered you one of the two lead roles.”

Carly shook her head, picked up her smoothie, and walked. “But stage work? Think about it, Alika, no. That’s not who I am. It’s not what I do.” She sighed dramatically. “If this offer was Broadway, then maybe. I could at least think of it as a bonus on the old résumé, but some dusty old regional house?”

“It’s not just some regional house.” Alika seemed frustrated again. “It’s the fucking McAllister. Well respected. Coveted in artistic circles. It attracts top echelon directors, actors, and designers, all because everyone wants to work at The McAllister at least once in their career. Don’t just blow this off, Carly. I can’t guarantee there’ll be another offer.”

“You honestly think I should do this?”