Lauren grinned and leaned against the car. “The moon, I get. What’s so special about the cold?”

“It’s on my list.” She caught Lauren around the waist and pulled her close. The streetlights in Lauren’s neighborhood illuminated her driveway, but only slightly, allowing her to bask in the battle between shadow and light.

“What else is on your list?” Lauren studied Carly’s expressive baby blues.

Carly looked skyward, still on the high of tonight. “I want to kiss you in the warmth of the West Coast, autumn in Maine, and on the beaches of Hawaii, Mexico, and Jamaica. We can negotiate European destinations next.”

“Oh, we can?”

“I’m a big fan of Germany and the Black Forest. Once shot a film there and couldn’t get enough of the food or the scenery. You’d love it. They sell schnitzel on a stick, Lauren. I’m not messing around.”

“You take schnitzel very seriously. I can tell.” Lauren laughed but quietly filed away that this was the first time Carly had spoken plainly of a future. She shocked herself at how happy it made her. Was it possible this wasn’t just a showmance? It seemed ridiculous to think that someone with a life as exciting as Carly’s might be happy with regular Lauren who liked a good Sunday morning crossword puzzle and a satisfying game of pool. Yet their connection seemed so authentic and effortless, she couldn’t help but fantasize.

“Are we going inside?” Lauren asked. God, she hoped Carly said yes. Yes, their celebration was tons of fun, but in the back of her mind she just wanted to race through it all, hoping to have alone time with Carly, dreaming about taking off her clothes.

“If we’re not, I might weep silently on the curb.” Carly smiled, and waited. She rocked on her heels.

“We’re definitely not weeping tonight. Follow me.”

Carly’s hands touched her waist as they walked, sending an anticipatory shiver across her skin. She was ready for Carly, and growing more so with each second that ticked past. She let them into her home, to the sounds of Rocky’s tiny feet on the hardwood floors. “There’s my baby,” she said, scooping him up. He licked her face appropriately and shifted his attention to Carly. Seeing her there produced full on dog body-wagging, which required Lauren to place him back on the floor so he could wiggle around properly.

“I like that dance you’re doing, Rocky.” Carly knelt down and allowed him to take turns leaping up at her face and wiggling his body more, in festivity. She flipped him onto his back and gave his belly a ferocious rubbing, which yielded his customary snorts of appreciation. Lauren joined them on the floor and scratched Rocky’s head, not wanting to be left out of the late-night lovefest.

“We opened a show tonight, Rock,” Lauren said. He snuffled and wiggled.