Page 11

Lauren sipped her drink, which, okay, was off-the-charts sexy towatch, and considered the statement. “There are definitely a lot ofresponsibilities that fall into my lap, and they take time.”

“Then you have Hollywood assholes like me, who show up and ruinyour life.”

That one apparently hit home and pulled a laugh. Carly liked Lauren’sunabashed smile and wanted to do more to inspire it. “God, it’s rough.”

There was a pause as they grinned at each other. The momentfelt…tentative. Carly wasn’t a fan of those and decided to shatter the hell outof it.

“If you think I’m attractive, blink twice.”

“I don’t have to. Everyone thinks you’re attractive. It’s ordainedand universally agreed upon.” Lauren set down her martini like it was a periodat the end of her sentence.

“Everyone is not you. I happen to think you’re beautiful, and thealcohol gave me the courage to say so outright. Look at me go.”

Lauren laughed, and then laughed some more.

Carly watched, mystified. “What? I don’t see why that’s funny.”But because Lauren was laughing, she was now, too. “Tell me. I want to be in onthe joke.”

“It’s bullshit.” The laughter ebbed slowly, as Lauren sat back inher chair. “Since when do you need alcohol to say what’s on your mind? I’venever met anyone as confident as you are. You own every room you walk into andknow it. Sometimes on purpose, other times, I think it just happens.”

Carly paused and took a moment to sip her drink. Lauren watchedher do it, making Carly hyperaware of the things she was feeling. Correction.Craving. “That’s fair.Is it a turnoff? You can be honest.”

“Not entirely.” She suspected the three-quarters of her martiniLauren had consumed made that admission possible. Daytime Lauren wouldn’t havesaid that in a million years. “Another drink?”

“You’re having a second?” Carly raised an eyebrow. “This is adownright scandal. That’s what this is.”

Lauren met her gaze evenly, almost in challenge. It inspired anenjoyable shiver. “Uber is real, and I’d like more. Is that a bad thing? I cango.”

Carly stood. “It’s the best fucking thing I’ve ever heard. Infact, allow me. Don’t move.”

When she returned to the table, she found one of the scenerypeople sitting next to Lauren. One of the ones she’d seen painting in thetheater. She forgot what they were called. The woman, who sported a dark blondponytail, turned when Carly sat down.

Lauren gestured to the woman. “Tinsley Worth, meet Carly Daniel.Tinsley is our assistant set designer.”

“Very cool to meet you,” Carly said, taking her hand.

“Likewise. I’m a fan. Loved you inRace the Night,” Tinsley said, but Carlywas unable to tell if that was true because Tinsley turned her attentionimmediately back to Lauren, and began chattering away as if they were alone inthe world. It took only two minutes for Carly to understand that this Tinsleygirl had a crush, which she totally identified with, but Carly made three andwasn’t the type to nip at heels.

“You’re just always so great with people,” Tinsley gushed toLauren. “I’ve always thought so. And this shirt looks great on you. Really.”

Lauren glanced down. “Just trying to blend.”

“It’s working. Wait. No. I mean, you never blend, but—”

Lauren touched Tinsley’s arm to steady her. “I translate you.”

Yep. There was a definite adoration vibe happening. Bummed to havelost the moment, Carly slid the mango martini across the table to Lauren andheaded off in search of fun because the night was too short to waste. She foundTrip and TJ, who played the gate agent who informed the main characters thatthey missed their flight. She’d already decided TJ was good people. The twowere in the billiards section of the bar, contemplating a game of pool.

“You want in?” TJ asked her.

“I’m not from around these parts, you know,” she told them,batting her eyelashes like a naïve little lady. She wasn’t half bad at pool,though, and was prepared to flaunt the hell out of that. She was competitive toa fault.

“All right,” TJ said. “You and me versus Trip and—”

“Me.”

She turned to see Kirby sidle up next to Trip. The two high-fivedand exploded their hands.

Carly put her hands on her hips. “Well, this should be interesting.”