Page 55 of To the Moon and Back

“No. You don’t have to tell me that. I was there.”

Carly kept clicking. Lauren’s stomach turned over as she imaginedwhat she’d find as she surfed from one link to another. Likely, much whatLauren had: other media outlets had picked up the same nugget of gossip, makingit look widely reported that Carly had been a problem child yet again. WhenCarly set her phone on the kitchen counter and looked up with a crestfallenface, Lauren’s heart broke for her. “I can’t win.”

“Don’t look at it that way. Come here, please.” Lauren held openher arms, but Carly hesitated and ultimately backed away from the gesture.

“I’m good. Not to worry.” Instead of the embrace Lauren offered,Carly wrapped her arms around herself, resembling a vulnerable child protectingherself from other kids on the playground. She gestured behind her. “I shouldfinish getting ready. Get out of your hair.”

“I don’t want you out of my hair,” Lauren said to Carly’s back asshe retreated down the hall. No answer. She closed her eyes and let heremotions settle into a neat pile. Carly needed space to work through this atrociousrumor, which was the opposite of what she’d been hoping for. Though it wasLauren’s natural inclination to try to fix everything, there was very littleshe could do about the media and what they wrote. She gave it some time, tidiedup the kitchen, and eventually picked up Rocky IV and carried him, infantstyle, into her bathroom where she found Carly putting the finishing touches onher makeup.

“Someone wanted to say good morning.”

Carly eyed her in the mirror. Her shoulders relaxed and the endsof her mouth tugged when she saw Rocky. It was hard to resist the face of a pugcarried like a precious newborn. Rocky dropped his face over the back ofLauren’s arm and regarded Carly from his upside-down position, content to beadored and fussed over like the little prince he was.

“Well, that’s certainly an unusual greeting.” Carly leaned downand let him swipe his upside-down tongue across her face. She scratched hishead with both hands, and his curlicue tail set to wiggling, which was so muchcuter than wagging. “I can’t say I’d ever turn away a kiss from this fur ballof love.”

“Well, who would?” A pause. “You okay?” Lauren asked quietly. “Youfled the scene earlier. I was worried.”

Carly leaned against the bathroom counter and considered thequestion. Her hair was shiny and her lips were perfectly adorned, but her soullikely hurt. “Yeah. I’m sorry about that. I’m doing okay. I can admit that thosewere not the words I wanted to read this morning, but do you know what I can’tstop thinking about, the part that has stuck with me the most?”

Lauren set Rocky on the floor and watched as he darted back to theliving room for more sun spot snoozing. “Tell me.” She braced herself forCarly’s disappointment, knowing she’d feel it as strongly as she would her own.

“What they said about you. I’m trying to be angry and feel sorryfor myself, but all I can seem to do instead is smile about all the wonderful thingsthey’ve said about you, because they’re all true. And then I have to look inthe mirror, because who am I? I’m supposed to be self-involved and throw aHollywood tantrum, but I feel more like a woman who can’t stop thinking aboutyou.”

“Carly.” Lauren played those words back. They’d reached inside herchest and took hold. She hadn’t expected them but now felt their warmth fromthe tips of her fingers to the ends of her toes and back again. She smiled,stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around Carly’s neck. “Do you mean that?Of course you mean it, but do you?” That wreck of a sentence mirrored herscattered emotions.

Carly nodded and placed a kiss on the underside of Lauren’s jaw.“I’m trying my hardest to be selfish, but I think you broke me. I’m Team Laurennow. Do we have T-shirts?”

“We definitely do not. Team Lauren is quiet and unassuming andtries not to steal attention from the real stars.”

“I’m revamping Team Lauren,” Carly said with a laugh. “It’s okayto celebrate your reviews, you know. You’ve earned every compliment.”

Lauren’s heart and soul clenched, relaxed, and soared. “Thank youfor saying that. I’ve never had a professional review before. This is newterritory, so I’m not sure how to behave. I’m excited, though.”

“And I’m excited for you.” Carly lips brushed Lauren’s. “I thinkwe need to celebrate properly.”

“And how would we do that?” Lauren asked.

“How about I take you to brunch and then bring you home and havemy way with a celebrated actress? And I meanthoroughlyhave my way.”

Lauren’s entire body reacted in great favor of that statement.Today was turning around nicely, and she had Carly to thank. “I can get behindthis idea.”

She and Carly finished getting ready, sharing the space andtouching each other here and there as they passed. When Carly returned to theliving room shortly after Lauren, she was wearing a sky-blue hoodie on top of awhite tank top with the wordLaurenscrawled across the front in what looked to be a permanent marker.

“Did you steal that shirt from my closet?” Lauren asked, laughing.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Carly said and slidher purse onto her shoulder. “But it’s mine now. Shall we?”

“You’re wearing that to brunch?Nooo.”

Carly turned to face her in proud challenge. “Try and take it offme.”

Lauren blinked, and her stomach fluttered. She had a vision ofdoing just that. “Incredibly temping, given what I know is underneath.”

Carly gasped and turned on her heel, as if hyperbolically shocked.“If you’re going to objectify me all through brunch, then we’re going to have ahell of a great afternoon.”

Lauren laughed and watched Carly make her exit, hips swaying,blond hair flowing, sass on display. Just the way Lauren liked her.

Chapter Twelve

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