A long pause on the other end of the phone. “I’m sorry. You’re showing up places on time? I thought you said this was Carly earlier, but clearly I misheard.”

Carly sat up and spoke animatedly to her wall, pointing at it. “Very funny. But yes, she’s had that kind of effect on me. It’s wild, and I like it.”

“Whoa.”

“Whoa is exactly it. Double whoa. Hold the pickle whoa. Thank you for getting that. So I need advice.” She scanned the room, wondering if she should maybe jot a Lauren to-do list. This was all so beyond her experience level.

“Hit me,” Fallon said. “I’m ready.”

“First of all, what do I wear?”

“Well, do you still have a tan?”

She checked out her arms. “It’s fading, but yes.”

“Anything to accentuate it. Light colors. Whites, beiges, pastels.”

A burst of energy hit. She had an idea. “A yellow chiffon blouse with a slight ruffle in the cuff, light wash jeans, and my beige block heels?”

“Now we’re talking. Where are you two going?”

“To dinner. I plan to pay, and open doors, and be genuine and charming.”

Fallon chuckled. “You’re always charming. You don’t even have to try at that part. People love you, Car. That’s never been your problem.”

“What is my problem? I should probably know.”

“Really? Right now?” Carly heard a car door open and close. Sounds of Taylor Swift drifted on to the call. “I’m not sure this is the best time to go into—”

“Yes, really. Put me on speaker and let me drive home with you while you tell me all the things I need to work on. What’s my biggest problem? I can take it.”

She heard Fallon sigh. “Fine. It’s consideration. You tend to think about the effect your actions will have on other people only after the fact.”

“Go on.” Carly tapped one nail against her top lip nervously as she listened.

“You take what you want first and let the chips fall where they may. Oftentimes, it’s other people picking up those chips after you.”

Carly sobered. Lately, she’d been trying hard to listen in the midst of harder conversations and truly internalize what she heard coming her way. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard the sentiment Fallon described. It wasn’t even the first time from Fallon. Yet she was at a point in her life when she truly wanted to do better, behave better, and think of others first. Not because her career was in trouble, but because something in her was changing. She wanted to be a better person.

She nodded. “You’re right. I’m going to work on that. And Fallon?”

“Yep.”

“If I’ve ever taken advantage of our friendship, your kindness, and I have a feeling I have…Well, I’m really sorry.”