She turned to the table. “Ladies, and gentleman, Carly Daniel. Thank you for joining—” But Lauren didn’t get to finish her sentence because the cast burst into happy applause, and Carly did a makeshift curtsy, extending the iced coffee outward as she lowered her body.

The applause seemed to encourage her, and she beamed as if greeting her adoring public. “Hi, everyone. I’m Carly, and I’m so thrilled to be here, to meet each one of you and make this the best experience possible.” Most of the room beamed right back at her, honored to be in her sunshiney presence, and nodded in welcoming agreement. All but one, that was. Evelyn Tate sat tight-lipped and sour, as if waiting for the moment to pass.

The little late ball of sunshine that was Carly Daniel was going to be a force to wrangle. Lauren could already tell. People clearly adored and responded to Carly, and she was used to that kind of lavish attention. In a production like this one, where ensemble work was so important, Carly might not blend. Something to take note of. Plus, Lauren had done her research since taking the job. The headlines hadn’t been forgiving. “Carly Daniel Delays Production,” “Studio and Director Argue Over the Costly Decision of Daniel,” and her personal favorite, “Carly Daniel Billed 10K in Hotel Room Party Fiasco.” What in the world had gone on in that hotel room that had cost ten thousand dollars? One could only guess, as the article didn’t say. Lauren had let her imagination run wild, cringing at each possible scenario.

Carly, who was more beautiful than should have been allowed, turned to Ethan and Lauren with a hand over her heart. “I am so sorry I’m a few late. Crazy morning for me.”

“No problem,” Ethan said. “You’re here now and we can roll.”

Lauren forced a smile. If Carly knew she was running late for rehearsal, why had she clearly made a coffee stop? Those ice cubes were fresh. Instead of belaboring that point in her brain, she shook it off. At this early a juncture, she decided not to go there. Lauren would give Carly the same benefit of the doubt she gave everyone, and she at least had the courtesy to apologize with a smile. Maybe it had all been a fluke. A miscommunication of their start time.

“Am I here?” Carly asked, pointing at an empty chair next to Evelyn, the one actor at the table who still looked like she tasted something unpleasant. That said something, and Lauren mentally clocked the disdain.

“Yes, that’s you,” Lauren said. Carly slipped into her chair and waved at Kirby Bonner, the young actress seated across from Carly, who was clearly starstruck. Carly put out a friendly vibe, at least. “We were in the midst of introductions when you arrived.”