“I wish I had been! Would have pulled attention away from the disaster.” She exhaled and relaxed against the couch with a tired smile. “The boy playing little Michael was traumatized, though. We’d brought him in from the elementary school. Broke into tears and cried in the arms of Tiger Lily. I’m hopeful the therapy he required helped, some.”

Carly was dying. Wheezing. Gasping for air. Yes, she was punchy already after such a roller coaster of a day, but the images Lauren painted certainly contributed. “Please tell me there are photos.”

“Oh, there are videos,” Lauren deadpanned.

“My kingdom for this video. What is it you want? A car? A house? I can make your dreams come true. Except that’s a lie. My movie money is dwindling.”

“I wonder why,” Lauren mused with a grin. She extended her arm across the back of the couch between them, which made things feel extra cozy. “If we survive this production without you single-handedly causing me to pull my hair out, I will make that video happen for you.”

Carly tapped the top of Lauren’s hand with her finger. “Promises, promises.”

A pause. “But I remember what it was like to take on a role, rehearse, and lose yourself for a little while. There’s nothing like it.”

Carly touched Lauren’s knee. “You should give it another go sometime.”

“I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t miss it a little, but I think I’ll stick with my steady paycheck, and organizing all of you people. How’s that?” She stood. “It’s getting late. We should clock out before we have to be back in the morning.”

Carly nodded, feeling so much lighter than earlier in the day. This was the first time she and Lauren had just…relaxed together. Chatted about life. She found it refreshing and couldn’t help but crave more.

“And this is okay? To run lines with you again in the future? Because I’d really like to.”

“Completely. Just let me know.”

“Before rehearsal tomorrow? I can come in early and we can—”

Lauren held up a finger. “You’re a liar and you know it. You’re incapable of the word early.” She’d said it in a bossy but playful tone, and hand to her hip. Carly wanted to kiss her right then and there, then lose herself with Lauren on that couch, slowly. Very slowly.

“I’ll be here at nine tomorrow,” Carly informed her, as she headed to the door. “I can help you and Trip set up as we run lines.”

“Sure you will.”

“You’re gonna be shocked. Wanna walk out with me?”

Lauren gestured to her laptop. “I better get that rehearsal report out before heading home.”

Carly shook her head. “You work too hard.”

“Do you think that’s it, or do you think maybe you don’t—”