He scratched above his lip as he considered the answer. “We definitely did, and it was a tough call. I’ll be honest. Lots of back-and-forth with the studio. In the end, I think there were two things that factored in.”

“Okay.” Lauren listened patiently.

“Your audition made it clear that you typed perfectly for the role. Physically, you’re exactly what I pictured, and you brought the right energy. Next, the fact that you’re a little green only helped. The character is a fish out of water on that witness stand. It all read so authentic. Now, we just have to bottle that.”

She nodded. “Makes sense. Thank you for explaining.” She shrugged, feeling every bit the fish out of water even right now. “And thank you for having me. All the things a person should say when leaving a meeting like this.” She laughed.

He did, too. “See? You’re perfect.”

So that had been it. She ruminated on the whole thing as she headed back to her car. The temperatures were dropping as a cold front moved through LA. Carly had been too comfortable at the audition, too at home in her own skin. Lauren knew Carly had a dozen offers out there waiting for her. She just had to find them. In fact, maybe it was time she stepped up and played cheerleader for Carly, because nothing hurt more than seeing a vivacious, fun-loving, and kind woman behaving like a shell of herself.

* * *

Carly blinked at the chip commercial on her TV screen, featuring two rival surfers. What in hell? Even surfers could land acting jobs, it seemed. That meant literally everyone but her. She’d spent her afternoon deep into daytime television, alternating with a few viewings of her TMZ video with the pap at the airport. She enjoyed the diversity of her viewing habits. Outside, the wind whipped, and the full-on cold had finally arrived in California a few days earlier, reminding her a little bit more of Minneapolis, a time in her life she desperately missed. She thought back on it now, and the sense of pride she’d had in her work. It felt like she might never have that again.

Two hours later, she picked up her phone on a whim. What about a guest spot on that $10k Pyramid show? she texted Alika. Think they’ll have me?

The reply came in fairly quickly. Are you serious? Because it’s not an awful idea.

Carly stared blankly at the screen.

That one hurt. It would be an admission of defeat to pander for any available screen time, but if Alika thought it was a viable plan, then things were now past the point that Carly ever imagined they’d be. She’d gone from headlining blockbuster films to striking out on even small roles. She wasn’t ready for celebrity-on-a-game-show status just yet. If ever.

No, thanks. Was actually a joke.