Page 59 of To the Moon and Back

“Gotta run,” Carly said, glancing up at the speaker. “But let’stalk soon. This is amazing, Leek. I’m sending a basket of bourbon. All thebourbon. It’s yours.”

“You might want to wait until the deal is done, but I will sipaway in your name.”

“You’re making me misty. Showtime. Bye.”

Carly clicked off the call and dashed out of her dressing room enroute to the wings, where she planned to deliver the performance of her lifeand get herself and Lauren exactly where they needed to be. There was simplytoo much at stake.

Chapter Thirteen

Lauren stirred the big pot of homemade chili she’d made for herselfand Carly to accompany the cold day, while the cornbread baked in the oven. Itwas after six and the sun was nearly down, a reminder that winter was not faroff. Because it was Monday, they had the night off and were using it to unwindtogether.

“My mom didn’t cook,” Carly said. “She heated up at most. Chickenstrips and those meals with the sectioned-off side dishes.”

“TV dinners. Well, who would have imagined that Ms. Porsche 911grew up on frozen foods?”

“What about you, Ms. Mini Cooper?”

“Homemade all the way.” She tasted the chili. Perfectly spiced.“We would sit around the table and tell the high and low point of our day.”

“So you essentially grew up onTheBrady Bunch.”

“Without the divorce part, but yes. Wholesome is a good word forit. Oatmeal cookies in a jar and all.”

“Well, that explains it.” Lauren offered a wooden spoonful ofchili to Carly, who took a taste. She blinked. “That’s the most amazing chilianyone’s ever made.”

“I have chili skills,” Lauren said and shimmied her shoulders.

Carly grinned at her. “Please always dance while you cook. I wouldhave to tell your family, if they asked, that your dancing was the high pointof my day today. It’s also kind of sexy.”

Lauren bounced her eyebrows playfully, knowing full well she couldcapitalize on that shimmy later. “Wait. Explains what?” Lauren asked, returningto her stirring. “You never finished the thought earlier, and you’re not offthe hook.”

Carly leaned her back against the counter. “Your upbringingexplains why you’re so put together.”

“Does that get on your nerves?” Lauren scrunched one eye closed.“The organizing can be a bit much. I’m aware.” She pointed at the cookbooks onher counter, arranged in height order.

“No.” Carly shook her head. “There’s something about it, all thelittle meticulous details you manage and move around and need to have a certainway, that gets me…hot. Even your calendar on the fridge with all the tinywriting.” She braced against what appeared to be a shiver of pleasure.

Lauren chuckled. “Only you would feel that way.”

Carly slid her arms around Lauren’s waist from behind. “It’s whywe’re drawn to each other like sexy moths to a romantic flame.”

“I’ve always thought of us as sexy moths.”

“Right?” Carly moved Lauren’s hair to the side and placed a kisson the back of her neck that sent a tingle. “Do you know what it is? Yourfamily is the catalog family. The one advertising the matching pajamas thateven the dog is wearing.”

Lauren laughed. “We did have matching pajamas for Christmasmorning.”

“Oh my God, of course you did. I haven’t met your brother, but heseems to fit, too.”

“Oh, he does. He argues the hardest for which pair we should get.”

Carly’s hands traveled up from where they rested at Lauren’s waistto her rib cage and then lightly circled her breasts through her sweater. Laurenwas forced to close her eyes in sweet surrender, loving being touched this wayby Carly.

“Have I mentioned how much I love your breasts?” Carly asked, justbefore kissing the side of her neck.

Oh, man. “I think…yes.”

“Well, it’s so very true today. Let me tell you.”

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