“Good. Because if he’s going to try and persuade you, I can certainly redouble my efforts.” She tossed her hair playfully, but even Carly’s silly side translated to alluring. If only she knew how little she had to work to be persuasive.

Lauren ran her hand down the back of Carly’s hair affectionately. “Trust me. You’re way ahead.” She gestured down the hall toward her own dressing room, her stomach flip-flopping with uncertainty all over again. “I better kick it into gear. I’ve never been this late, and it’s stressing me out.”

Carly glanced behind her at the clock. “Yet you’re not close to late at all. You still have time. What’s it like to be you?”

“You don’t want to know.” She placed a quick kiss on Carly’s lips and headed down the hall, never feeling more unsure of her future, and terrified of what that all meant.

Chapter Fourteen

“Los Angeles has terrible traffic. You need to be prepared for that. Always allow extra time no matter where you’re going.” Lauren’s mother looked at her quite seriously the way she always did when she was nervous. “Oh, and wear a seat belt, which I know you know, but I have to say it. I’m a mom.”

Lauren returned to her bedroom from the bathroom, carrying her toiletries bag. “I will. As for traffic, I’m not taking my car, so Uber will be my friend. Plus, Carly apparently has a second one she doesn’t drive too often that she says I can use.” She tossed another shirt into her suitcase.

“Well, that’s helpful of her.” Her mother paused. “I like her, Lauren. She’s…kind. Warm.”

“I feel the same way.”

Her mother sat on the edge of her bed and continued to help her pack. Lauren had a flight out West the next morning, and her mom had insisted on driving in to see her off and help get everything in order. No, she wasn’t going forever. At least, not yet. But a few weeks away was a pretty big deal. Carly had already flown home, and though they’d only been apart a day and a half, Lauren already missed her like crazy. The distance made all the difference.

“The photos from curtain call looked so emotional,” her mother said. “Was it as memorable as it looked? I just wish we could have been there for the last one. We almost bought tickets from a scalper.”

Lauren laughed. “You were there for opening. That was enough. As for your question, the closing show was like saying good-bye to the most unexpected best friend.” She met her mother’s eyes. “You know, I still can’t believe the whole thing was real. That any of this is.”