This was progress. She had fun bantering with Lauren. They were so different in their takes on the world. She never got bored with her. “By way of correction, I asked for cheese cubes, chocolate covered pretzels, and a fluffy blanket because I get cold. No bears were harmed in the making. What do you take me for? I love all adorable creatures. Don’t believe everything you read about me, Lauren.”

“I no longer will.”

Their fries arrived hot out of the fryer, and Carly popped one, closing her eyes as it practically melted in her mouth. She moaned quietly and felt Lauren’s gaze on her. When Carly turned, purposefully catching Lauren in the act of checking her out, Lauren quickly feigned interest in the fry basket. “So, the partying you were talking about?”

“The recreation. Ah, yes.” Carly chewed her food and tried to figure out how to explain. “It was a way to take my focus off the work. If I thought about the film all day, whatever part I was trying to tackle, it consumed me and wound up undoing any and all progress. When I started goofing off, I thought about work less and just did my job when I got there. It seemed to work until…”

“Until?”

Carly shrugged. “I got spoiled and greedy. You were right when you pointed that out. I didn’t take other people, or their goals, into consideration and just did what worked for me.” She shook her head. “And now, I’m trying to climb my way back out, and do better.”

“I’ve seen a difference.”

“Yeah?” Carly bumped Lauren’s shoulder with hers and took a pull from her soda.

“Yes,” Lauren said, meeting Carly’s gaze. “Your head is definitely in the game a lot more than when you first showed up for that table read.”

Carly winced. “That was a pretty awful entrance. I get that now that I have a feel for the culture here. God.”

“You’ve rebounded.” Lauren shook her head and stared at the array of bottles that lined the shelf behind the bar. “I hope I do.”

“What has you out of sorts? You were fine yesterday.”

Lauren shook her head. “I’m Wendy and I’m going to bring the set tumbling down all over again.”

Nope. Carly wasn’t letting that kind of defeatist talk fly. “That mentality will leave you on your ass.”

Lauren sat back in a huff. “It’s not like I can help it. You saw me this morning. I was a mess.”

“First day nerves. You just gotta get past ’em, and tell yourself how awesome you are. Say it. Right now.”

“I’m awesome,” Lauren said, in the most underwhelming voice possible.

“No, you’re not. You’re lame. Say it again.”

“I’m incredibly awesome.”