“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ethan said, breezing into the room with a noticeable extra spring in his step. “Lots to do today, but first a brief announcement.” All eyes were on him. Heads quirked. Glances were exchanged. “There’s been a change to our cast. Effective today, the role of Mandy in Starry Nights will be played by Lauren Prescott. Trip will be our new production stage manager, and Janie will join him tomorrow as assistant. You’ll meet her then.” The room was silent for a moment. Carly’s gaze flew immediately to Lauren, who smiled demurely at the table, continuing to work and avoiding all eye contact. Finally, when she did look up, it was straight back at Carly, who sent her the biggest smile of encouragement. This was better than anything she’d hoped for. Carly couldn’t believe it. Her toes were numb and she wanted to jump up and down. They’d given Lauren the role? Unable to take it, she raced across the room to Lauren, as the rest of the company chatted quietly in shock.

“I don’t believe it. This is fucking awesome,” Carly whispered, her arms around Lauren.

“Is it?” Lauren asked.

“Yes! You’re in the show now. You’re starring in the show, Lauren. Do you get that? Why didn’t you call me?”

“I just found out.” Lauren smiled. Her usual confidence didn’t shine through, however. “And I didn’t really see this coming. Yet here I am.” She lifted her arms and let them drop to the side in demonstration. “I think I have you to either thank or kill.” A pause. “So…thank you.”

Lauren was afraid, Carly realized. She was a quieter individual, who had dealt with a lot of rejection as an actress. Carly needed to remember that. “Well, all I did was put you in front of Ethan—you did the rest. Besides, when do people around here pay any attention to me, anyway?”

“More than you realize.”

Carly shook her head, still on a high from the news. “This was all you and your talent.”

Lauren exhaled slowly, as if she was about to board a really intimidating roller coaster.

“Places for act two,” Trip announced to the room with gusto. Carly passed him the thumbs-up and slapped his shoulder.

“You’re gonna kill it as the production stage manager-y thing.”

“Thanks, Carly D. Working on it.” He winked and ran a hand through his bouncy curls, which, strangely, seemed even bouncier than usual. It was almost like they knew he’d been promoted.

Kirby raced over. “Oh my God. This is the best thing ever. Lauren, you’re perfect for this. Do you need anything? How about I help you with lines? Oh, wow. This is huge. I gotta call my boyfriend later. Oh, do you want to get drinks after rehearsal tonight? Maybe we can all get drinks,” she said, indicating herself, Lauren, and Carly with a circular gesture.