“You in yoga pants? Not good for my reputation around town.”

Carly laughed but loved that Lauren had just confessed to lusting after her. “Moving yoga pants to the front of my wardrobe.”

“Don’t you dare,” Lauren said.

The Argyle was alive and humming when they arrived. Music played from a quartet in the corner, waiters walked past with full glasses of wine on trays, and everyone was smiling. The club, inhabited exclusively by The McAllister staff and the company from Starry Nights, broke into applause for Carly and Lauren as they made their way into the drawing room. Carly turned to Lauren and applauded for her, because her journey truly was an amazing one.

Lauren, in her typical fashion, waved them off and turned a bright shade of red. She finally covered her face. Carly’s chest swelled with affection.

“Will you excuse me for one moment?” Lauren said, eyeing something across the room.

“Of course. I’ll grab us drinks.”

Carly watched as Lauren walked straight into the arms of a woman who simply had to be her mother. Same chestnut brown hair and light eyes, with just a few more lines on her face. The man next to her grinned just the way Lauren did when she was genuinely happy. When the women embraced, there were sentimental tears on both sides. Carly turned away to give them a moment and focused on snagging those drinks. She should have invited more people to the opening, she realized. Her mother likely could have gotten off work at the vineyard and made the trip, if only Carly hadn’t downplayed the whole affair due to a lack of experience. If only she’d anticipated how important the show would feel to her.

Once Carly had their glasses of champagne, she turned to see Lauren beckoning her over.

Balancing the drinks, she maneuvered the crowd, accepting their congratulations on a good show until she arrived next to Lauren.

“Thank you,” Lauren said, accepting the flute of bubbly. “Carly Daniel, I’d like you to meet my parents, John and Karen Prescott.”

“Hi,” Carly said brightly. “It’s so nice—” It was too late. She was already pulled into a hug, very similar to the one she’d just seen bestowed upon Lauren.

“We know exactly who you are. Of course we do. And we’re so excited to meet you in person.” Lauren’s mother released her from the hug but kept both hands on Carly’s shoulders. “You stole our hearts tonight. First you were bristling and buttoned-up—then you were vulnerable and hurting.” Karen pantomimed each of the actions. “We rooted for you.”