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Lauren smiled, but understood she’d struck a sore spot. Carly wasstill struggling to be seen for the caliber of roles she was used to. “It’sgoing to take time, you know, to get them to think of you as a viable choiceagain. But they will.”

Carly offered a less than convincing smile. “Yeah. I’m sure you’reright.” A pause. “I hope you are.” She set her coffee cup on the counter.“While the executives figure that out, I’m going to hop in the shower.” Toillustrate the claim, she freed herself of the T-shirt as she walked. Laurenblinked at her perfect, stark-naked body as she walked through the sunbathedkitchen. Carly turned back casually. “Wanna watch?”

Lauren decided then and there that she really, really liked LosAngeles.

Chapter Fifteen

The Fig and Olive on Melrose was hopping when Carly met Alika forlunch later that week. Luckily, her name was still good for a last-minutereservation. She’d worn her black suit, the sleek one with the pinstripes,paired with a starched white blouse and heels. She’d been told she lookedkiller in the outfit, and that’s how she wanted to be seen, as a seriouscommodity. At The Fig and Olive, you never knew what studio movers and shakersyou might run into. In fact, she recognized a couple of executives just a fewtables down. They’d nodded to her politely as she’d passed.

“Well, it’s certainly great to see you,” Alika said. Her hair wasshorter than the last time they’d met. It suited her and brought out her beautifulbrown eyes.

“It’s great to see you as well. I hope David and the kids are allright.”

“No one’s killed anyone this week, so we have that working in ourfavor, and that says a lot with Dynamite Davey in the mix. He’s four and readyto throw down.” It was truly nice to see Alika, and she enjoyed catching up.She also remembered the reason for their meeting, and it was business, butthey’d get there. She’d waited while they ordered. She’d participated in smalltalk. She’d even taken time to admire the newly made-over restaurant decor. Thelive trees in the middle of the space were certainly breathtaking.

“So, here’s the state of things.” Alika moved them into thebusiness lane and put Carly out of her misery.

“I’m ready.” She folded her hands on the table. “In more ways thanone.”

“I know that. Trust me, and I’ve been working hard for you,Carly,” Alika said, just as she was presented with her quail salad. “I have alittle something you might be right for, and though the role isn’t as meaty asyou’re used to, it’s not a bad opportunity.”

“Great,” Carly said. Everything in her relaxed. “That sounds promising,right? Tell me. What are we talking about?”

“Seven days’ work on a Richard Hennessy film. A legal drama. It’sa midbudget outing, but studio backed, so it should have all the bells andwhistles marketing-wise. You obviously wouldn’t have top billing, but it’s therole of a key witness in the case, so memorable.”

“Memorable sounds amazing.” She looked around and lowered hervoice. “My star has fallen. I get it. I have to pay my dues before I’m on theposter again. This thing sounds perfect for me. When does it shoot?”

“In a couple of weeks. This character is the final role they needto cast, and then they move into production mode. How’s that risotto?”

Carly stared at her plate absently. She’d taken a few bites buthad no idea what it tasted like. She was that hyperfocused on the conversation.“Oh, um, fantastic. Here.” She handed Alika a spoonful and watched her melt.“What else?”

“There is nothing else, unless you want a dog food commercial.That I could probably arrange.”

“God, I hope we’re not there yet.” Carly set down her fork.“What’s the latest on theStarryNightstransfer? We still have that to work for, right? I reallythink I’d be a good choice for them.”

“I didn’t want to have to tell you this, but it’s a no go.”

“No? How is that possible?” She wouldn’t at least try to setsomething up? That didn’t make sense. Aha. Maybe the show wouldn’t betransferring to Broadway after all. “The project fell through, didn’t it?”

Alika shook her head and winced. “It opens in the spring onBroadway. They cast Jenna McGovern as Ashley.”

Carly closed her eyes. Of course they had. Jenna was fantastic andeveryone knew it. Well, wasn’t that just par for the course. “Who else?”

“Someone unknown. A ballet background, I think?”

“Dammit.” Her heart sank. She ran her thumb across her napkinseveral times as the disappointment settled. She was glad she’d downplayed thewhole thing to Lauren now that the door had been slammed in their faces.“That’s more than a little heartbreaking.”

Alika shook her head. “Nah, that’s just show business, and youknow it well.”

“I guess I’ve just never been on the awful end of it for so long.”She raised her eyebrows and dropped them in defeat.

“Don’t even wallow. What I need you to do,” Alika said, gesturingwith her fork like a woman in charge, “is to concentrate on booking thisHennessy film. Think terrified witness. Breathe it. You have an audition onThursday.”

That was two days away. “Now that I can do.”

“Good. Now pass me some of that risotto if you’re just gonna moveit around on your plate like a nine-year-old at an adult dinner party. Foodhere is too good to be wasted on you.”

Carly laughed and handed Alika the entire portion. Hell, she’dsign over her soul to Alika if it meant she’d book this job. She needed it thatbadly. Her stomach churned, and her heart raced with thoughts of the uncertainhorizon. She stared out the window, nervous, sad, and restless.