Carly was mystified. It was so rare to get to hear Lauren’s actual take on things. Carly wanted to know more, needed to. She longed to know what music she liked best, who her early influences were, what she did at night when she left The McAllister. There was so much ground to cover, but first she needed to internalize the words Lauren had just gifted her. “Thank you for saying that. I feel like I keep trying to connect with her, but it goes nowhere, and it’s hard to develop an onstage relationship if you’re getting nothing back.”

“Let me know if you ever need someone to run lines with you. That’s actually part of my job, believe it or not.”

“Really? You do that? I thought when you said so that first day of rehearsal you were just being polite.”

“I wasn’t. I do it all the time. Most stage managers do.”

That pulled Carly up short. Running lines would actually be incredibly helpful. She’d worked on her own in her apartment, but she hadn’t had that extra person to read with her. The only time she’d been afforded the chance to work on a give-and-take was opposite Evelyn, and that had been only stressful.

“It’s not uncommon, actually. Especially with wordier shows, like this one. The playwright had a lot to say.”

Carly sighed. “You have no idea. When are you free?”

Lauren glanced around. “As soon as I’m done putting the room in order.”

Carly couldn’t believe her luck. “Well, then I will help you in repayment.” She spent the next few minutes following orders and enjoying seeing Lauren in her element, in charge, and with a plan. Just when she thought Lauren couldn’t get any more attractive, she had to go and own a very simple task.

Once they slid the rehearsal couch up against the wall, Lauren grabbed her script, grabbed a spot on that couch, and tucked her feet beneath her. The overhead fluorescents in the room were off and a floor lamp provided soft illumination. “What scene would you like to run?” Lauren asked.

“The last scene we ran today, with the teakettle, and the talking a lot line?”

“Act one, scene four.”