Page 69 of To the Moon and Back

Lauren kissed her temple. “I think I like you.”

“More. I think you have a crush on me,” Carly said, turning aroundin her arms and touching Lauren intimately. “Oh.” Lauren’s eyes flutteredclosed. “I think…” Heat rushed downward. Her senses overloaded, and out ofnowhere, the most powerful orgasm ripped through her just like that. Her bodyshook, the intense pleasure washing over, fast and hard. She arched her backwhile Carly’s hand continued to intensify her experience. The sounds she heardwere from her, and she didn’t hold back. She could let go with Carly. She wassafe. Finally, her muscles relaxed, and she lay satisfied against the bed.“That’s some kind of crush,” she murmured.

Chapter Sixteen

“I don’t know what you want from me. I answered your questions asbest I could.” Carly blinked, then looked around the room, terrified.

“Did you consult with the defendant before testifying here today?”

Carly widened her eyes. “What? No. God, no. I haven’t spoken toVictor since that day in July. The day we lost Amy.”

“You didn’t like the defendant’s wife, Amy, much, did you?”

“Idid.”Her lip quivered.

“Do you always pull guns on your friends?”

“Not always.”

“Perfect.” Rick Hennessy stood from his chair across the room and approachedher. The casting director hit pause on the video camera as Carly gathered hercomposure from the scene. This was the third reading she’d done for them thatday She’d worked on the sides for hours to be sure she’d nail the audition, andwhile she wouldn’t say it was her best ever, she was still quite satisfied withher work. “You brought so much more to the character than even I saw,” he saidand placed a hand on her shoulder. “Amazing work today. I know you’re notsomeone who auditions anymore, and I want to thank you for doing this for me.This has been just fantastic. My brain is firing.”

“I’m glad. It felt good,” she said. “I love everything about thescript.”

“It’s a smaller role than you’re used to, but meaty as fuck, and Iwant to really highlight the character’s contribution to the main’s arc. Plus,there’s the whole shock factor of this scene that is going to have peopletalking once the reveal happens. You don’t see her admission coming.”

“I didn’t, when I read the script.”

He ran a hand over his stubble. “I can see you really killingthis. It’s exciting. This has been good.” He looked to his casting director,still seated at the table, and nodded.

Carly felt relief rise up in her chest, and she couldn’t stopsmiling. She placed a hand on her chest. “I feel the same way. Honestly, forme, it’s not about the size of the role, it’s about the character.”

“Totally.” He held out his arms for a hug, which she reciprocated.“Thanks for this, Carly. You were amazing, as you always are. Big fan. We’ll bein touch.”

“I look forward to it. Thanks, Rick.” She waved to the group atthe table and grabbed her bag. When she emerged onto the studio lot, she raisedher shoulders to her ears and took a deep breath. For the first time in weeks,Carly felt like things just might be okay. She popped her sunglasses onto herface and headed home. Maybe she’d pick up a couple of iced coffees to surpriseLauren. After that, maybe they’d get dressed up and go some place fancy,romantic, and picturesque. She had something to celebrate.

* * *

The restaurant Carly had picked out for them was breathtaking. TheOrchard Inn Restaurant was just what it sounded like, a little restaurantnestled inside an inn located on an actual apple orchard. Lauren had no ideasuch a combination existed and had never seen anything like it. It felt likethey were having dinner in the most romantic of storybooks. She’d even worn thepretty red dress and her favorite silver bracelet to make her feel fancy.

“I love you in red,” Carly said. “Not that I don’t like you inevery color.”

“I accept the compliment.” Lauren lifted her glass of Bordeaux inthe soft candlelight. It had to be the most expensive wine she’d ever tasted,and it showed. She touched her glass lightly to Carly’s. “I missed you today.I’m glad we’re doing this.”

Carly’s blue eyes sparkled, and matched the dress she’d selectedfor dinner perfectly. “I feel the same way. We were on opposite schedules allday, so I wanted to spend some time together.” She looked around. “I haven’t beenhere in years. It’s a little known LA secret.”

Their set menu for the evening, which Lauren was told by theserver changed nightly, was New York strip with pepper cognac sauce, creamedspinach, and poblano macaroni and cheese. For dessert, they’d have bananasFoster butter cake with a petite chocolate milkshake. It really was a fairytale.

It felt wonderful to be somewhere so quaint, so charming. Lauren’sday had gotten away from her. When she’d stepped into her callback for a bitpart on an action movie, the casting director had taken a good hard look ather. After her reading, which she honestly felt she’d bombed, the woman met herin the hallway. “Do you have time for one more? I can’t help but wonder if youmight be right for a hard-to-cast project. Something very different from thisone.”

“Um, sure. Of course.” She checked her watch and realized it wasnow late in the afternoon. How had that happened?

The woman scribbled some directions on the back of her businesscard. “You’re looking for an office building three down from this one. I’vemessaged ahead and they’re expecting you. But hurry, because they’re wrappingup for the day and have agreed to squeeze you in.”

“Okay. Great. I appreciate it.”

Lauren quickly read a text from Carly about iced coffees as shescurried across the lot, halfway wanting to ditch the additional audition andjoin Carly at home instead for that iced latte poolside. Yet she remindedherself that she’d come to LA for an exploratory mission, and she needed to useher time to do just that. Carly would be waiting after.

“And how was your day today?” Carly asked, swirling her wine fromacross the table. Lauren noticed a nearby table smile in their direction. Theyraised a glass to Carly, and Carly raised hers back. She’d been recognized butdidn’t miss a beat in their conversation.

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