“Hi, guys,” Carly said to Lauren and an exuberant Rocky, who promptly licked her face six times and then curled into a ball at the foot of her bed. With Lauren’s arms around her waist from behind, she felt everything in her relax. For tonight, she felt safe and solid. The what-if game still played in the back of her mind, but she refused to give it her attention. Lauren had her for now, and that was everything.

“Shall we sleep?” Lauren asked.

“Yes, please,” Carly said. She switched off the light and let everything float far, far away.

* * *

“Ms. Prescott, this is Elissa Newman from Telsey Casting calling again about setting up a meeting regarding a project you might be right for. Call me at your earliest convenience. Do you have representation I could get in touch with?”

As she sat at her dressing table before Saturday’s matinee, Lauren shook her head in response to the voicemail. No. She didn’t have representation. In fact, she’d never had an agent.

“You good, Lala?” Trip asked, popping his head into her dressing room. “All set for a wild two-show day?”

“I’m all good, Trippy. You’re doing a bang-up job.”

“You say that to all the first-time PSMs,” he said and tossed his hair dramatically in departure.

Lauren scrolled to the next voicemail and hit play. “Hiya, Lauren. Dave Pell from Playbill Online. Would love to ask you a few questions about your Cinderella story working on Starry Nights. I think our readers would love to hear about it. Give me a ring.”

She jotted down Dave’s number for later, still not believing that Playbill was calling her.

Next message. “Good afternoon, Ms. Prescott. Jim Lawson from United Talent Agency calling to chat. Hoping to hear from you. I think we could do some great things if we worked together.” Well, there was that possible representation Elissa Newman was asking about. UTA was a top agency. She took his number down, too.

Lauren smiled at the warm lips on the back of her neck. “Antonio, we have to stop sneaking around like this,” she whispered. The nibbling didn’t stop. “But I must say your kissing has improved. Your lips, they’re amazing.” She turned, gasped, and covered her mouth in mock surprise. “What? Famous actress Carly Daniel!”

Carly straightened. “Do I need to challenge this Antonio to a duel? I’ll need to ask Trip for a sword.”

“I think they use pistols for those things, but no way. I kicked Antonio to the curb the moment I felt those amazing lips.” She fluttered her eyelashes dramatically.

Carly met Lauren’s gaze in the lighted mirror. “Fantastic. Now talk dirty to me. List some office supplies.”

Lauren laughed and dropped her voice as Carly kissed across her exposed shoulder blade. “Stapler. File folder. Rubber band.”

“God, yes,” Carly murmured. “More.”

“Sharpened pencil.”