“We’re fine, Tins. Thanks,” Lauren said. “I’ll bring you a breakdown of the move-in schedule in just a little bit.”

Carly raised a hand. “Why would it not be fine?”

Tinsley took a confident step farther into the room. “Oh, I don’t know, because she gave up her life to follow you out to LA, and you treated her like crap once she got there? Ruined her legitimate chance at her dream by getting in her head?”

“Tinsley. No.” Lauren shook her head and closed her eyes.

Carly turned back to Lauren. “I know. She’s right. All of it.”

“Damn right I am.”

“Do you mind giving us a minute?” Lauren asked Tinsley, who didn’t move. “Please?”

Tinsley nodded and with a glance to Carly that said I’ve got my eye on you, she left the office.

“I’m a big girl. It was my decision to head to LA. We had plans, and things were feeling really good between us. I thought they’d stay that way.”

“I know.”

“Yes, I was paranoid as hell that you were out of my league and that you’d cast me off.” She shook her head ruefully. “I guess I just didn’t see the method in which you’d do it.”

“I’m an idiot.”

“Yes.”

A pause as the truth rained down. Carly accepted the responsibility and prayed she could find a way to undo the damage. Carly took an imploring step forward. “But it was. It was working out for you.”

“Parts were. But people change—their priorities do.” Lauren rolled her lips in and leaned sideways against the desk with one arm. “I always longed to be an actress, but maybe that’s not me anymore. I wasn’t happy. It’s easier here. Simpler.”

“Lauren. Just listen, I—”

“I don’t blame you, Carly, okay? Does that help? You can leave here feeling better and go back to your world with a clear conscience that little Lauren is just fine.” Her eyes were watery when she said it. There was also a resolve present, and that hurt more. “You were just living your life. I was in the way.”

“You were never that. I was dealing with issues of my own.”

Carly wasn’t able to process all of this at once. It was too much. What had she done? Turned into a petty, self-involved starlet who wasn’t getting the kind of jobs she thought worthy of herself. Never before had such a startling mirror been held up to her face. It nearly brought her to her knees. She hated herself and every action she’d taken since leaving Minneapolis. “You deserve so much better than all of this.”

Lauren offered a sincere smile. “I think everything happens for a reason, you know? We were a team on that show. Maybe that’s what we were meant for. Now we go our separate ways.”

“We’re still a team.”