Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Randi exhaled an exaggerated breath and leaned back against her chair.
She’d been sitting for hours since returning from lunch with Eden.
Her arms extended up over her head as she arched her back to relieve the pressure.
She then returned her hand to the mouse and began to scroll down the page.
Cari DeWare’s most recent release caused her to pause.
She stared at the book cover and smiled. The woman’s dark hair and amused look in her eyes reminded her of Eden. They’d talked about the women Eden met at the pitch event over lunch and Randi wouldn’t be surprised if every one of them contacted Eden. Her best friend was a catch, no doubts there.
After agreeing to do the pitch to sign Cari DeWare for Hook, Line & Reader, Randi had read the author’s latest book over the weekend.
With such little time to prepare for the pitch Randi knew she needed to be familiar with the author’s work.
She’d enjoyed the friends to lovers trope and at times could picture her and Eden as the main characters because they’d done several of the same things she and Eden had done in their real lives.
Movement in the doorway to the conference room caused Randi to look up.
“Hey,” Analise said. “How’s it going?”
“Not bad,” Randi replied. “I’m doing research on other books in the genre.”
“We’ll have you a better workspace tomorrow.”
Randi shrugged. “Isn’t this where we’ll give the pitch?”
Analise nodded.
“It’s good for me to be familiar with the space and the technology,” Randi said. “I don’t want it to look like it’s the first time I’ve been in the room or my first pitch. I want to be comfortable here.”
“It’s not your first pitch,” Analise stated.
“No, but I’ve never pitched to an author before.”
“You’ll be great.”
“Now you sound like Eden.” Randi sighed and shook her head.
Analise smirked then grinned. “We have an office that one of our creatives used, but now works mostly from home. Things seem to accumulate there that shouldn’t.”
“Ah, storage?”
“Something like that. Anyway, it’ll be ready for you in the morning.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, and it’s across the hall from Eden.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“You’ll find that we all get along, get our work done, and hopefully enjoy spending time here,” Analise explained. “I want our work environment to be pleasing so you’ll want to come work here permanently.”
“Oh, I know. Eden has told me several times that HLR is one team, like a family.”
Analise smiled. “That’s right. Didn’t you two go to lunch together?”
“We did.”
“I meant to ask her how the dating thing is going,” Analise said. “Has she heard from anyone?”
Randi nodded. “We were talking about that at lunch. She ran into one of the women she met at the coffee shop this morning. I think they have a date tomorrow. I’m sure the others will get in contact with her.”
Analise hesitated for a moment. “You don’t seem too thrilled about it.”
Randi widened her eyes. “What? That’s why we did it.”
Analise shrugged. “You know, I’ve wondered… Have you and Eden ever dated?”
Randi scoffed. “Us? No! We’re best friends.”
“Yeah,” Analise said. “Friends to lovers. It’s a very popular trope in romance.”
Randi raised her shoulder. “Cari DeWare’s latest release is a friends to lovers. I read it over the weekend.”
“Was there ever a time when you thought about it? You and Eden?”
“No. We met soon after we’d both moved here and Eden was in a long-distance relationship at the time,” Randi explained. “We only knew a couple of other people in the city so we ended up spending a lot of time together and became friends.”
“What happened to Eden’s relationship?”
“Ah, it fizzled. She took it pretty hard and I was there for her.” Randi chuckled softly.
“I guess we became close because of a breakup.” She thought back to those nights when she would hang out with Eden and listen.
She’d talk through her feelings and sometimes shed a tear or two.
They spent several nights eating ice cream, binge watching trashy TV, and falling asleep on the couch.
“You didn’t want to be her rebound?”
Randi looked up at Analise with surprise.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I had just begun dating a woman, and Eden was invested in me finding happiness if she couldn’t.
” She chuckled again and shook her head.
“That was a long time ago. Eden is the best friend I’ve ever had and there’s no way I’d do anything to jeopardize our friendship. ”
Analise smiled. “I get that.”
The phone next to Randi’s computer buzzed. “That’s probably Eden. She keeps calling to see if I’m awake, have questions, or need anything.” She picked up the phone and said, “No, I’m not asleep.”
“Well, that’s a good thing. I thought you might be working on your presentation for me.”
“Cari?” Randi said, raising her brows.
Cari chuckled. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“I’m so sorry!” Randi exclaimed. “I thought you were someone else.”
“Do you have a habit of falling asleep at work?” she asked in an amused voice.
Randi chuckled. “No! And don’t you worry. When I show you what Hook, Line & Reader can do for your career it will be impossible for you not to work with us.”
“Wow, that’s bold. I can’t wait to hear this pitch,” Cari said. “I was actually calling Analise. They tried her office, but she wasn’t there.”
“She’s here with me. Hold on just a moment.”
“It was nice chatting with you, Randi. Stay awake.”
Randi chuckled and covered the phone with her hand. Wide eyed, she looked at Analise.
Analise chuckled. “It’s okay.” She reached for the phone as Randi handed it to her. “Hi, Cari.”
Randi sank back into her chair, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe what just happened. That’s what she got for being a smart ass. Randi turned back to her computer, but didn’t see the images on the screen. Wait until she tells Eden about this! She could already hear her laughing.
“Okay, we’ll see you then,” Analise said, ending the call.
“I am so sorry,” Randi said, standing up from the table.
Analise laughed. “It’s okay. She thought you were funny and can’t wait for our meeting.”
Randi exhaled a relieved breath. “That won’t happen again.”
“What? It’s okay, Randi,” Analise assured her. “Cari likes you.”
“Likes me? How do you know?”
“She just told me. She likes your enthusiasm and is looking forward to hearing your ideas at our meeting on Friday.”
Randi eased back into her chair and smiled. “Really, Analise, I will be professional on Friday. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“I want the freespirited, light hearted Randi that Cari DeWare likes.”
“Oh, you’ll get her and also the professional Randi who knows marketing and media.”
“Perfect,” Analise said. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Randi watched Analise leave the room and relaxed into her chair. “That could’ve been so bad,” she muttered. Her gaze settled on the screen and the book cover she’d been looking at when Analise came into the conference room.
Eden and Analise both had commented on her lack of enthusiasm for Eden’s prospective dates. Randi had talked Eden into doing Pitch a Friend in the first place. Of course she wanted the dates to go well and maybe Eden would find a girlfriend. So why wasn’t she more excited?
Randi sighed and thought back over their friendship. There had been a few times when neither of them had a girlfriend or were dating anyone, just like now. Analise’s question had given Randi pause. She loved Eden and Eden loved her—as friends. Right?
She tried to shake those thoughts out of her head. Randi meant what she’d told Analise: she would never risk their friendship. It was too important to her. She couldn’t imagine Eden not in her life.
Where is this coming from?
Once again looking at the computer screen, Randi muttered, “Maybe Eden’s right. I need to go on a date. Or maybe it’s all these romance novels.”
She sighed as she tried to get back to her research. She decided right then that she would be more attentive and earnest concerning Eden’s dates. Just like the best friend she’d always been.
Cari DeWare’s name caught her eye and Randi smiled. She likes me. How about that?
“Okay, let’s figure out the best path to make her even more successful,” Randi said quietly as she focused on the screen.
“Hey, are you staying here all night?”
Randi glanced up to find Eden standing in the doorway. She looked at her watch and was surprised to see that it was six o’clock.
“Wow, I didn’t realize it was this late,” Randi said.
“You’ll never guess who texted me.”
Randi raised her brows. “Let’s see, wait—I know their names. Was it Gabi, Lindsey, or Kelly? Maybe all three.”
Eden gave her a bright smile. “You were listening.”
Randi smirked. “If you’ll remember, I met them briefly the other night. So, who texted?”
“Gabi and Kelly.”
Randi furrowed her brow. “How do you feel about them texting you while you’re at work?”
“Kelly texted right at five and Gabi texted a few minutes ago.”
“Well? Did they ask you out?”
Eden shrugged. “Sort of. Kelly wondered if we could get together later this week and Gabi wanted to know if I was free on Friday night.”
Randi smiled excitedly. “That’s great! What did you tell them?”
Eden smiled shyly. “Gabi wants to take me to this Mexican restaurant that makes the best margaritas.”
“Oh, that’s right. She was there when Kelly and Lindsey went after drinks for us.”
“Yep, she remembered.”
“And Kelly?”
“She asked if I liked live music. A friend of hers is playing at a small club Thursday night.”
“We love live music!”
Eden chuckled. “Yes, we do. You really are in this with me.”
Randi gave her a salute and grinned. “Best friend right by your side.”
Eden laughed. “Okay, okay. Hmm, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you were there, too. Let me think about it.”
“Whatever you need me to do,” Randi said.
Eden smiled then tilted her head. “I heard you talked to Cari DeWare this afternoon.”
Randi groaned. “Did Analise tell you? Oh my God, Eden. I couldn’t believe it.”
Eden began to laugh and shook her head. “Oh yes I would. Whenever you turn into a smart ass it usually ends up biting you in the ass.”
Randi laughed. “So true.”
“Analise said it may have helped.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah, Cari seemed to like that we can be light-hearted in the workplace, but also professional.”
“I don’t know. I was definitely not professional at that moment. But I will be on Friday!” She stood up and pointed her finger at Eden. “I’m going to sweep that author off her feet. She’ll be begging us to do her marketing.”
Eden laughed. “Okay. Slow down, honey. It’s time to go home.”
Randi grinned and began to gather her things that were now spread out all over the table.
“Let’s stop by Schooner’s for a beer on the way home,” Eden said.
Randi looked up and narrowed her gaze. “Okay. I have a few questions for you, if you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Of course I don’t mind. Let’s go. I’ll meet you there.”
Randi shouldered her bag and followed Eden out of the conference room. She quickly forgot all the thoughts that had been swirling through her head earlier that afternoon. A beer with her best friend after work. That’s the way it should be.