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Lauren smiled at the warm lips on the back of her neck. “Antonio,we have to stop sneaking around like this,” she whispered. The nibbling didn’tstop. “But I must say your kissing has improved. Your lips, they’re amazing.”She turned, gasped, and covered her mouth in mock surprise. “What? Famousactress Carly Daniel!”

Carly straightened. “Do I need to challenge this Antonio to aduel? I’ll need to ask Trip for a sword.”

“I think they use pistols for those things, but no way. I kickedAntonio to the curb the moment I felt those amazing lips.” She fluttered her eyelashesdramatically.

Carly met Lauren’s gaze in the lighted mirror. “Fantastic. Nowtalk dirty to me. List some office supplies.”

Lauren laughed and dropped her voice as Carly kissed across herexposed shoulder blade. “Stapler. File folder. Rubber band.”

“God, yes,” Carly murmured. “More.”

“Sharpened pencil.”

Carly sucked in air. “I can’t fucking believe it’s sharpened. Whatare you trying to do to me?”

Lauren chuckled and pulled Carly into her lap. “How are youfeeling today? Better?”

Carly’s smile dimmed. “I’m good.” She shrugged. “Talked to Alikaabout lining up some meetings for when I get back to LA. Auditions, too. I haveno problem proving myself all over again. If anything, this experience hastaught me about the value of hard work.” She nodded. “I’m ready to do it.”

“I know you are. Everyone else is going to know soon, too.”Thinking about Carly going back to LA reminded Lauren that they were close tothe halfway mark on their four-week run of the show. That put an uncomfortablelump right in the middle of her throat. Lauren didn’t want this journey withthe show to end, or her time with Carly. She also couldn’t fathom not workingwith Carly every day. The concept of her returning to LA was one she hadn’tquite examined fully. Maybe that was naïve of her, but it felt more like aguarding of her own heart, which she’d all but surrendered to Carly lately.

“Where did you go just now?” Carly asked, angling a strand of hairbehind Lauren’s ear. “You got that faraway look in your eye, and it’s rare foryou to drift away.” She tapped Lauren’s temple. “Always so focused.”

“Thinking about when the show closes.” She felt the wistful lookcreep onto her face right on cue. The future felt uncertain, and for someonewho thrived on planning, that was a daunting prospect.

Carly sighed, mirroring Lauren’s emotions. “You know, when I thinkabout that particular topic, it always involves a side narrative where you comeback to LA with me. Make a go of it out there. We fly through the streets withthe top down on my convertible. We do some kissing, too. Maybe stop atStarbucks. Then, more kissing.”

“Of course you drive a convertible back home, too. What kind?”

“I drive a 911 most of the time.”

Lauren blinked. “I have no idea what that is. Is it bigger than aMini Countryman? Does it have a siren?”

“No, and no. A 911 is a Porsche.”

“Well, yeah,” Lauren said, as if it was the most natural thing inall the land. “Everyone knows the names of all the Porsche models. Soincredibly common.” Lauren laughed in that hoity-toity way she imagined a richperson would.

“You’re adorable.” Carly shook her head, staring at Lauren withpure affection. “I’m keeping you and taking you to LA. Discussion closed.”

Lauren opened her mouth and closed it. “I don’t know.” The conceptwas terrifying. She’d taken years to finally establish herself as a top-tierstage manager at The McAllister, a theater she cherished. Yet the attention thisrole had earned her propped open a door to a long-forgotten dream. She neededto figure out what the next step in her life would be. What did she want out ofher career? At the same time, there was also Carly and their unexpectedconnection. “I think it’s all terrifying.” She held up her hand. “I’m evenchewing my nails. I never do that. Just look at them.”

“Tsk.Those are sad. Shall I schedule us a couples’ manicure?”

“Would you believe I’ve never had one of those?”

Carly laughed. “Yes, because you’re Lauren, and it’s not all thatpractical. Manicures are a luxury. It’s one of the things I love about you.You’re not pretentious.”

They’d both heard it. The L-word. No, it wasn’t a proclamation oflove, but it was the first time the concept had ever been entered into therecord of their relationship. She watched Carly quickly gather herself, stand,and change the subject.

“I should get ready. Close to our half hour.”

Aha, the word made her feel uncomfortable, daunted. Lauren feltthe pang of disappointment, and a small part of herself screamed that Carlywould never go there with her. Self-doubt truly sucked. Yet she lived with itdaily.

“See you out there?” Lauren asked.

Carly leaned down, kissed her lips, and straightened. “Yes. Let’stake these women on another twirl around fate. See you on the other side?”

“I’ll be there. Break a leg.”