They had seven rehearsals remaining. Seven. Luckily, they had moved to The McAllister’s main stage for the remainder of them, and that meant they’d have an entire set to get to know and work with. It also meant there’d be new spatial relationships and technical elements, like lights and sound, that would make their way into the show beginning today, during their ten out of twelve rehearsal.

As Lauren had explained it, the ten out of twelve was for the addition and tweaking of each and every technical cue in the show. Each of the designers would sit in the house with stage management as they adjusted levels, intensities, and timing of each cue. They’d work ten hours out of a twelve-hour day, with two hours allotted for meals.

“I can’t believe we’re finally here,” Kirby said, looking up at the theater’s architecture. It reminded Carly of a beautiful outdoor theater, complete with the illusion of a night sky overhead, stars and all. Cherubs lined the proscenium, and newly upholstered red seats filled the house. Nearly fifteen hundred, she’d been told. Kirby turned in a reverent circle. “I’ve wanted to work at The McAllister since I was twelve, and I’m finally here, in the room.”

“Kinda makes you want to pinch yourself,” Carly said. Though she’d once underplayed the entire experience, Carly now understood how special this all was. She just didn’t want to do anything to screw it up, and there was lots to learn about working in the space.

Lauren arrived with her bag slung over her shoulder, and Carly turned. If she’d been aware of Lauren’s presence in the past, before their date, she was hyperaware of it now.

Lauren waved at the room with two hands. “Happy ten out of twelve, everyone.” She wore fall boots, taupe and up to her midcalf, gray jeans, and a navy hooded sweater. Carly blinked back a too noticeable reaction to how fantastic she looked. The idea that she now got to spend the rest of the day with this woman and would be paid to do so was a surreal concept. Her job certainly did not suck.

“Did you catch anything I said?”

She turned absently and looked up at Trip, who must have been speaking. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t.”

He looked across the room to Lauren and smothered a knowing smile. “Right. Got it. Well, I was just offering to walk you through the different danger zones on set for when we go to black between scenes. I’ve marked them with glow tape, but you’ll want to be aware for safety.”

“Good idea. Lead the way.” She glanced over her shoulder one more time to Lauren, who was busy signing in with Janie. For whatever reason, in that moment, Lauren intuitively raised her gaze to Carly’s.

“Hi,” she mouthed.