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

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

Fallon chuckled. “You’re always charming. You don’t even have totry 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. Soundsof Taylor Swift drifted on to the call. “I’m not sure this is the best time togo into—”

“Yes, really. Put me on speaker and let me drive home with youwhile 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 tothink about the effect your actions will have on other people only after thefact.”

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

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

Carly sobered. Lately, she’d been trying hard to listen in themidst of harder conversations and truly internalize what she heard coming herway. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard the sentiment Fallon described. Itwasn’t even the first time from Fallon. Yet she was at a point in her life whenshe truly wanted to do better, behave better, and think of others first. Notbecause 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.”

The line went quiet for a moment. “I appreciate you saying so.You’re a good egg, Carly. I’ve always known that part.”

Carly smiled at the wall. “Not as good as you, but I’m going towork harder. Thanks for the chat.”

“Anytime. Call me tomorrow with all the noteworthy details, anddon’t you dare leave out the sexy parts.”

“Try and stop me.”

Carly clicked off the call and felt her heart rate slow. Fallonhad pointed her in the right direction, helped her come up with the perfectoutfit, and had been a friend to her when she needed it. She smiled and took adeep breath. Tonight felt important, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t also befun. She’d been looking forward to their date since the very moment Lauren hadasked her out.

Now all she had to do was put on her chosen outfit and go and pickup her date.

Chapter Eight

Rocky looked up at Lauren and snuffled as she took a final glimpseat herself in the mirror, happy with her look. She’d left her hair down, likingthe way it fell across her forehead today. Rocky snuffled some more and liftedhis feet. She grinned. He was a big time snuffler, always using the sound toexpress his emotions, which were varied and complex. “You got something tosay?” she asked. “I put your dinner down already.” She returned her focus tothe mirror and ran a finger along her bottom lip to apply a little more gloss.Snuffling. “You don’t want your dinner?” She glanced down at him.

He picked up his feet, set them down, and snuffled some more inresponse. Aha. The shuffle-snuffle combo. He likely knew she was goingsomewhere and demanded to know who with. Rocky IV had always been herprotector, defender, and right-hand man. She scooped up the pudgy little guy,carried him with her to the kitchen, and plopped him in front of his full dishto see if he’d get back to regularly scheduled programming. He glanced up ather, snuffled, but obliged, shaking his little curlicue of a tail as he ate.

When the doorbell rang, he trotted dutifully behind her to scopeout the new guest. Lauren opened the door, prepared to apologize for Rocky’slikely bark, only to have the words stolen from her lips. Carly stood there ina yellow top that had her glowing and a sexy pair of heels. Her hair was halfup and half down, and came with lazy waves, the kind they had on TV but Laurencould never seem to master when she tried. “Sorry.”

Carly grinned. “Why are you sorry? And hi.”

“Hi.” She swallowed and found herself again. “You look sobeautiful. Sorry, again.” She shook her head to emphasize how silly she felt.“I wasn’t expecting to lose my ability to communicate.”

“That’s okay,” Carly said and chewed on the inside of her lip.“Thank you. I was about to say the same to you. Oh, and I got you these.” Frombehind her back, Carly produced a bouquet of flowers in a variety of oranges,yellows, and purples. They were gorgeous, and the perfect fall arrangement.

“Wow.” She accepted the flowers and marveled at their beauty. Shedidn’t receive flowers too often. They made Lauren feel special, knowing thatCarly had gone out of her way for her. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome.” Lauren took Carly’s hand and tugged her inside.“And I’m on time,” Carly said triumphantly as she passed.

Lauren smiled to herself. “I noticed that.” She followed behindCarly, taking in how she wore those jeans as if they were tailored to herperfect body. “Among other things,” she murmured quietly.

“What other things?” Carly asked, turning around.