Page 63 of To the Moon and Back

“Craved,” Lauren repeated. She could identify entirely with theconcept.

Her mother held up a finger. “I’m not done.”

Lauren bowed her head in apology. “What else?”

“The second part that told me was when I couldn’t imagine my daywithout him. I didn’t want to.” She lifted her shoulders. “I love being herewith you, my sweet girl, but I also miss him and can’t help but wonder if hewas able to heat up the chicken I left him for tonight without burning hisfingers. Now, that’s love.”

Lauren closed her eyes, because that’s exactly how she felt. SinceCarly left, her days felt strange and empty. She spent more time counting thehours until she would be reunited with Carly than she did actually living. Theimbalance was a lot to behold.

“I think I’m going to call him,” her mother said, glancing aroundfor her phone. She paused. “This is about Carly, isn’t it? I don’t think I’drealized it had gotten so serious. She’s a celebrity, Lauren. That comes with awhole other set of obstacles.”

Lauren smiled. “I know that. Sometimes I forget, admittedly.”

“Does that…worry you at all?”

“Yes. It does.” But leaving Lauren’s world, and entering Carly’s?It felt like a much larger issue now than ever before. Lauren wasn’t sure whatto expect. “I don’t really know what her life is like.”

“Well, kiddo, I think you’re about to find out.” She coveredLauren’s hand with hers. “Do me a favor. You take care of yourself out there.No matter what kind of wheeling or dealing you run into with the new agent oryour auditions, you remember who you are: Lauren May Prescott, the best human Ihappen to know.”

She sent her mother a watery smile, as a mixture of excitement andtrepidation took over. “That’s my plan.”

“And you’re going to call me once a day for every state that nowwill separate us.”

Lauren frowned. “I’ll try.” Lauren immediately winced at her errorand prepared herself for the inevitable. “Don’t do the Yoda voice.”

“Me to excuse Lauren Prescott?” her mother said in an alwaysstartlingly accurate Yoda voice, which was prompted anytime Lauren used thewordtryinstead of something more affirmative.

“You have to stop doing Yoda,” Lauren said, with a laugh.

“Hmmmm?”her Yoda Mom said.

Lauren closed her eyes and grinned. “I promise to call.”

That seemed to appease Yoda. At least for today.

* * *

Carly clutched the autumn-themed bouquet of flowers too tightly,making the stems all mingle too closely. She couldn’t seem to relax. This wasit. Lauren would walk through those doors in a matter of moments, and she’d getto show her around her home city. She rolled her shoulders and swallowed the smilethat kept bursting onto her face without warning. She’d never been the mostpatient of individuals, admittedly, but waiting on Lauren’s flight to arrivehad her stomach muscles fully employed and her skin all atingle.

To her right, a photographer snapped a couple photos of her, noteven attempting to be discreet. There were three other paparazzi not far away.Having been out of LA for a few months, she’d not had to deal with those guysand had forgotten how awful it could be to feel like a fish in a bowl, alwayson display. She ignored the clicks of his camera. Yes, she could have allowedLauren to take a car to her place, but she wanted to personally welcome her toCalifornia, whether it meant the whole thing would be documented or not.

“Who are you waiting for, Carly?” another paparazzo asked. She’dseen him before, always with a video camera, much like the one he had trainedon her now. He was a piece of work. She didn’t answer. It was none of his damnbusiness. “You glad to be back in LA?” he asked. She watched the door instead,realizing sadly that he was only gearing up. She concentrated on the happyoccasion and decided to pretend the paps weren’t there.

A flight had clearly just landed as a new group emerged from theglass doors. She shifted her weight and watched the faces for Lauren, havingmissed her incredibly since they’d said good-bye earlier in the week.

“Sucks that no one wants to hire you anymore, doesn’t it?” the manasked snidely. The others clicked a few photos of her response. Nope. She wouldhold steady and not let his words affect her. She was here because someone veryimportant to her was arriving. This was a happy occasion. “Guess you’re notpretty enough anymore to cover up the whole can’t-act thing. Your last film sucked,by the way.” More clicks of a lens. The video camera continued to roll. Sheclosed her eyes momentarily until she found the strength she needed to maintaincomplete composure. She didn’t know this man personally, so why did his wordsresonate? But she knew. They were the very words she heard in the back of hermind on a daily basis.

When she opened her eyes again, there was Lauren, moving towardher with the most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. She wore black pants, agreen ribbed turtleneck, and a black and white plaid scarf. Her chestnut hairwas down, and she looked absolutely amazing. Happiness hit instantaneously.Carly opened her arms, still clutching the flowers, and Lauren walked straightinto her embrace, burying her face in Carly’s hair. All was right with theworld again. More clicks.

“Hi,” Carly said quietly. “Hi.” She said that second one with allthe feeling bubbling inside of her. It was the most heartfelthiof her entireexistence. She squeezed Lauren again, inhaling her scent.

“Twohisfor me? I’ll take it,” Lauren said, still not letting go. “Hi back. Twice. God,it’s good to see you. Don’t go anywhere.” Lauren let go and took a step back.They stared at each other happily, makingasight for sore eyesthe most relevant phrase on the planet.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” Carly practically bounced withexcitement. “For you.”

Lauren accepted the flowers and took a deep inhale. “I’ve neverbeen given flowers on landing before. These are gorgeous.”

“Times have changed.” Carly wanted to kiss Lauren, greet herproperly, but the sounds of cameras clicking not ten feet away stole hercourage. Lauren looked over at the motley group. “Wanna grab your bag and getout of here?” Carly asked, trying to divert her focus.

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