Page 38 of To the Moon and Back

Lauren let go of the counter and took the two steps that broughther to Carly. With one hand under her jaw, she slowly kissed the woman who’dwalked into her life out of nowhere and made her feel so much. Call it lust,infatuation, or even a damn showmance. It didn’t matter. Lauren felt alive, andthat meant everything.

“Look at that,” Carly murmured. She smiled as she kissed Laurenback. “We’re at it again.”

Lauren pulled back in Carly’s arms and met her gaze. “It’s likeyou’re this magnet, pulling me in. I can’t stay away. Plus, these lips areaddictive.”

“The best part is you don’t have to stay away.” She caughtLauren’s mouth and melted into the kiss.

That’s how the night ended.

With kissing, more kissing, and a side of wandering hands. Shewalked Carly to the door, still touching her as much as possible. The small ofher back, her hand, her cheek. The kiss at the door was the longest yet, andwhen Carly stepped back onto her porch, she glowed like an angel under theporch light.

“I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“Carly. Thank you for all of this. It was a fantastic night.”

“For me, too. Maybe I can woo you again in the future? Maybe?”

Lauren laughed. “God, yes. The more wooing the better, I alwayssay.”

“Good night, Lauren.”

“That it was. Good night.”

Chapter Nine

Carly was half giddy, half terrified. The key lime yogurt she’d hadfor breakfast was a nice temporary distraction from the very big day she hadahead at work.

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

As Lauren had explained it, the ten out of twelve was for theaddition and tweaking of each and every technical cue in the show. Each of thedesigners 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-hourday, with two hours allotted for meals.

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

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

Lauren arrived with her bag slung over her shoulder, and Carlyturned. If she’d been aware of Lauren’s presence in the past, before theirdate, 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 anavy hooded sweater. Carly blinked back a too noticeable reaction to howfantastic she looked. The idea that she now got to spend the rest of the daywith this woman and would be paid to do so was a surreal concept. Her jobcertainly did not suck.

“Did you catch anything I said?”

She turned absently and looked up at Trip, who must have beenspeaking. “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 differentdanger zones on set for when we go to black between scenes. I’ve marked themwith glow tape, but you’ll want to be aware for safety.”

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

“Hi,” she mouthed.

Carly offered a wave back. The connection from the other night wasstill in full effect.

Bam.She smacked right into somebody. Tinsley. The set woman. “Oh my God, I’m sosorry,” Carly said.

“Yeah. Probably best to keep your eyes forward.” She flicked alook in Lauren’s direction. “Instead of over there. Make sure everybody issafe.”

Carly offered a salute. “On it.”

Tinsley tolerated her at a minimum. Carly was pretty confident itwas because of her own interest in Lauren. Jealousy flared, and she quieted it.She had no ownership of Lauren, even if she secretly hoped she had no interestin Tinsley, or anyone else for that matter. One thing Tinsley had overCarly—Minneapolis. She was a permanent fixture. Carly wasn’t.

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