Page 79 of To the Moon and Back

“Home?” Lauren stood, gestured for Carly to come inside, andclosed the door behind them. “This is my home, and it’s the best place for me.”

Carly squinted. “You were killing it in LA. What happened to thejob onThe Subdivision?”

“I politely asked if I could back out. They were understanding.”

“Oh.” Another pause. “You’re really serious about thisback-in-Minneapolis thing.”

Lauren nodded apologetically, and Carly felt nauseous. “Wilksapparently already had me on the schedule with plans to replace me if I wasn’tback. So I just slid back in.”

“You’re an amazing stage manager.” She shrugged. “I guess I alwaysassumed that if the people working on the production had the opportunity to bethe actors, they’d leap.”

Lauren smiled. “Not everybody is destined for the limelight. Ionce thought it was all I wanted in the world.” She mirrored Carly’s shrug.“But as we grow and change and get to know ourselves, our goals change withus.” She looked around the office. “I really love my job.”

“You’re amazing at it.”

“I try to be.”

Carly blew out a steadying breath. There was more to say. “Irealize that I got caught up in my own world, my own journey, and you paid theprice.” She held out her hands. “All done with that now.”

“I’m happy to hear that. You were truly struggling. I hatedwatching it play out.” She shook her head. “I felt so helpless and my heart…”The words died on her lips.

“Lauren. I want to give us our shot. For real.” She tried tosmile. She lost the battle in the face of such a daunting conversation thatwasn’t going well.

Lauren closed her eyes. “The thing is, Carly, that it was for realthe whole time. Life isn’t a do-over.” She sighed and studied the floor as ifassembling the words she wanted. “When things weren’t going your way, I becamean enemy to you. An obstacle on the path to what you truly wanted. That’s notwho I want to be to anyone, and I would fully expect it to happen again.” Sheraised her arm and let it drop. “The acting thing was a lot of fun for a while.But maybe it’s time I get back to my real life, so I can feel like Laurenagain.”

There was a knock on the door behind them, and not a second later,Tinsley appeared without waiting for an answer. “Everything okay, Lauren?”

Carly stared, confused. “Why would it not be okay?”

“We’re fine, Tins. Thanks,” Lauren said. “I’ll bring you abreakdown of the move-in schedule in just a little bit.”

Carly raised a hand. “Why would it not be fine?”

Tinsley took a confident step farther into the room. “Oh, I don’tknow, because she gave up her life to follow you out to LA, and you treated herlike crap once she got there? Ruined her legitimate chance at her dream bygetting in her head?”

“Tinsley. No.” Lauren shook her head and closed her eyes.

Carly turned back to Lauren. “I know. She’s right. All of it.”

“Damn right I am.”

“Do you mind giving us a minute?” Lauren asked Tinsley, who didn’tmove. “Please?”

Tinsley nodded and with a glance to Carly that saidI’ve got my eye on you,she left the office.

“I’m a big girl. It was my decision to head to LA. We had plans,and things were feeling really good between us. I thought they’d stay thatway.”

“I know.”

“Yes, I was paranoid as hell that you were out of my league andthat you’d cast me off.” She shook her head ruefully. “I guess I just didn’tsee the method in which you’d do it.”

“I’m an idiot.”

“Yes.”

A pause as the truth rained down. Carly accepted theresponsibility and prayed she could find a way to undo the damage. Carly tookan imploring step forward. “But it was. Itwasworking out for you.”

“Parts were. But people change—their priorities do.” Lauren rolledher lips in and leaned sideways against the desk with one arm. “I always longedto be an actress, but maybe that’s not me anymore. I wasn’t happy. It’s easierhere. Simpler.”

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