She nodded. “Only a couple of miles north. Easy commute to the theater, which is nice, given I have to be there at odd hours.”

“I feel like your job is never ending. You’re there before all of us, and you leave after we do.”

Lauren sipped her drink, which, okay, was off-the-charts sexy to watch, and considered the statement. “There are definitely a lot of responsibilities that fall into my lap, and they take time.”

“Then you have Hollywood assholes like me, who show up and ruin your life.”

That one apparently hit home and pulled a laugh. Carly liked Lauren’s unabashed smile and wanted to do more to inspire it. “God, it’s rough.”

There was a pause as they grinned at each other. The moment felt…tentative. Carly wasn’t a fan of those and decided to shatter the hell out of it.

“If you think I’m attractive, blink twice.”

“I don’t have to. Everyone thinks you’re attractive. It’s ordained and universally agreed upon.” Lauren set down her martini like it was a period at the end of her sentence.

“Everyone is not you. I happen to think you’re beautiful, and the alcohol gave me the courage to say so outright. Look at me go.”

Lauren laughed, and then laughed some more.

Carly watched, mystified. “What? I don’t see why that’s funny.” But because Lauren was laughing, she was now, too. “Tell me. I want to be in on the joke.”

“It’s bullshit.” The laughter ebbed slowly, as Lauren sat back in her chair. “Since when do you need alcohol to say what’s on your mind? I’ve never met anyone as confident as you are. You own every room you walk into and know it. Sometimes on purpose, other times, I think it just happens.”

Carly paused and took a moment to sip her drink. Lauren watched her do it, making Carly hyperaware of the things she was feeling. Correction. Craving. “That’s fair. Is it a turnoff? You can be honest.”

“Not entirely.” She suspected the three-quarters of her martini Lauren had consumed made that admission possible. Daytime Lauren wouldn’t have said that in a million years. “Another drink?”

“You’re having a second?” Carly raised an eyebrow. “This is a downright scandal. That’s what this is.”

Lauren met her gaze evenly, almost in challenge. It inspired an enjoyable shiver. “Uber is real, and I’d like more. Is that a bad thing? I can go.”

Carly stood. “It’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever heard. In fact, allow me. Don’t move.”

When she returned to the table, she found one of the scenery people sitting next to Lauren. One of the ones she’d seen painting in the theater. She forgot what they were called. The woman, who sported a dark blond ponytail, turned when Carly sat down.