Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
“Hi,” Cari said with a smile.
“Hey, glad you made it.”
Cari looked around the space then back at Randi. “Have you been here before?”
Randi shook her head. “No, but I know they have live music several nights during the week. What can I get you to drink?”
“Oh, I don’t know. How about a glass of white wine?”
“I’ll be right back.” Randi smiled and went to the bar.
While she was waiting she noticed there were several more people sitting with Eden and Kelly.
She didn’t know why she felt so uncomfortable about the situation tonight.
They’d done this many times over the years since becoming friends.
Maybe it was because Cari was here, too.
Randi wanted to get to know her better and wanted to make sure she had a good time, too.
The bartender handed her two glasses of wine and she made her way back to their table. “Here you go.”
Cari took a sip from her glass and Randi could feel her eyes on her. “Are you nervous about the pitch tomorrow?”
Randi set her glass down and gave her a measured look. “Should I be?”
Cari shrugged. “Analise has been trying to get me to sit down with her and her team for several months now.”
“I’m glad you agreed to meet.” Randi smiled.
“Do you want to get this over with now? Then we could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Randi looked at her with surprise. “Are you nervous?” She paused and studied Cari for a moment. She watched as Cari inhaled a breath and slowly let it out.
“I’m an independent author and have had to do everything myself. I’m not a control freak or anything like that, but letting go of some of the things I’m used to managing is a big step.”
Randi nodded. “I get that, but we’re supposed to take some of those things off your plate so you can have more time to write. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”
“I suppose. I’m not sure I’d know how to act if all I had to do was write.” She took another sip of her wine.
“Hmm, I’m sure I could suggest a few things you could do if writing is too much.”
Cari laughed. “Now that might be fun, but you’re right, having more time to write would be heavenly.”
“Let’s wait until tomorrow to talk more about what we can do for you,” Randi said. “Analise is looking forward to seeing you.”
“I like her,” Cari said. “I know she’s running a company and they are obviously out to make money, but she seems to genuinely want to help me succeed. Do you like working for her?”
Randi took a sip of her wine. Cari didn’t know that this was Randi’s first pitch with Hook, Line & Reader and she didn’t plan to tell her—at least not before tomorrow’s meeting.
“I don’t really work for her,” Randi replied.
“We all work together. That’s how Analise does things. We’re one big family.”
“That sounds amazing,” Cari said. “She’s the boss, but doesn’t act like a boss.”
“Sort of.” Randi chuckled. “Analise is a very…compelling woman. She makes you want to be your best.”
Cari nodded then took another sip. “Is that Eden over there at the table just down the steps?”
Randi nodded and smiled.
“You’re very attentive to her.”
Randi’s eyes darted away from where Eden was sitting. She met Cari’s gaze. “Am I not being attentive to you?”
“Yes, but you keep looking over at Eden and her date.”
Randi shrugged. “I just want her to have a good time.” She glanced over at Cari. “I want you to have a good time, too,” she quickly added.
“I am,” Cari assured her. “I’m staying at my sister’s along with her husband and two little kids. It’s fun, but there’s a lot going on.” She chuckled. “It’s nice to get out in a relaxed atmosphere and kick back.”
“If I’d asked you out, would you still be relaxed?”
Cari grinned. “Well played. I know I tease you a lot, but it’s just my way… Sometimes I feel very awkward.”
“Really? It certainly doesn’t show in your books or with your characters.”
“Yeah, I can write them the way I want to be. That’s easier than being in the real world.”
Randi nodded. “Yeah, why does it have to be so hard?”
“We’re all looking for connection, don’t you think? Whether it’s friends or something more. I don’t know.” Cari shrugged. “I do feel very comfortable with you.”
Randi smiled. “I’m glad. You keep me on my toes though.”
Cari laughed.
“I see movement around the stage,” Randi said. “Maybe the music is about to start.”
“Should I buy you a margarita?” a voice said from behind Randi.
Randi whipped her head around and saw Kelly standing at her shoulder. She widened her eyes.
Kelly smiled and continued. “I saw you come in with Eden and I’m pretty sure it isn’t a coincidence that you’re here. I remember how you gushed about her during your pitch.”
“As only a best friend could do,” Cari interjected.
“That’s why I’m offering to buy you a drink.”
“Uh, Kelly, this is Cari DeWare,” Randi said.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Cari said. “I was at that pitch event and it only seems smart to have someone you trust nearby when meeting someone you don’t know.”
Kelly smiled and nodded. “I agree, that’s why—”
“Are you joining us?” Eden said, appearing at Randi’s other shoulder with a big smile.
“What?”
“I came over to invite you both to join us at our table,” Kelly explained. “The music is about to start.”
“I don’t want to intrude on your date,” Randi said.
“You’re not,” Kelly replied. “The more the merrier. My friends are at our table and we have room for you and Cari.”
Randi could see the hopeful look on Eden’s face and looked over at Cari and shrugged. “What do you think?”
“It’s okay with me,” Cari said.
“Yay!” Eden bounced on her toes. “Let’s go.”
“Are you sure?” Randi asked Cari as they followed Eden and Kelly to their table.
She chuckled. “Yes, it will save your neck from having to strain to keep up with her all night.”
Randi put her hand on Cari’s forearm stopping her before she walked down the stairs. “Yes, I’m here for Eden, but I think she’s going to be just fine. I wanted to get to know you better. That’s why I invited you.”
“It’s okay, Randi,” Cari said. “I’m having a good time.”
Randi smiled and released a relieved breath.
As everyone settled at the table Eden looked on as Kelly quickly introduced her other friends. Randi and Cari were sitting to her left and Kelly was on her right. The band started to play and it made it hard to hear any type of conversation.
Eden looked over as Cari said something to Randi.
They leaned in and Randi smiled. Eden couldn’t help but wonder what they were saying.
Having Randi nearby had helped calm the jitters she’d been feeling.
Kelly was nice and they’d talked a little trying to get to know each other better, hoping to relax somewhat before the band started playing.
When Kelly touched her forearm Eden looked at her date. She should be focused on Kelly and not Randi.
“I hope you like the band,” Kelly said, over the music. “They’re mainly a cover band and they play songs you’ll probably know.”
Eden smiled and nodded. Kelly gave her a reassuring smile and turned back to the band.
Kelly was right. Eden knew most of the songs and everyone at the table sang along.
She gazed over at Randi and Cari several times.
When she caught Randi’s gaze she nodded and gave her an encouraging look.
Cari seemed to be having a good time and hopefully that would transfer to the presentation tomorrow.
Eden leaned over until her shoulder brushed against Randi’s. “She’s having a good time,” she said into Randi’s ear loud enough for her to hear.
Randi nodded. “I think so,” she said into Eden’s ear.
Eden shuddered when Randi’s warm breath tickled her ear. It surprised her and she pulled away. She gave Randi a forced smile and turned back to the band. When she glanced over at Randi again she could see confusion on her face.
Eden was glad for the loud music because she didn’t know what to say or why she’d reacted the way she did. The band announced they were taking a short break and people got up to get drinks.
“Do you want another drink?” Kelly asked.
“No, I’m fine,” Eden replied.
“The band is very good,” Cari said.
Kelly nodded. “They play for fun and that’s why they do songs we all know.”
“It’s hard not to sing along,” Randi said. “It’s a good thing they play loud because you wouldn’t want to hear me sing.”
Eden chuckled. “You’re not so bad.”
Randi smiled and turned to Cari. “Hey, didn’t you do a scene like this in your last novel?”
Cari nodded. “Yes, going out to listen to music is a typical thing for a friends’ group.”
“You’re a writer?” Kelly asked.
Cari smiled and nodded. “I write sapphic romance and fiction.”
“Oh!” Kelly exclaimed. “Cari DeWare! I’ve read your books.”
“Her books are great,” Randi said.
“Her latest is a friends to lovers romance,” Eden explained. “How often does that happen in real life, though?”
“Do you see those two women talking to the lead singer?” Kelly nodded towards the stage. “They were friends in high school then both went away for college. Once they graduated they came back here, started dating, and are now married.”
“Wow,” Randi said. “I had a couple of friends who dated in college and got married right after they graduated.”
“I can’t think of any of my friends from high school I’d want to date,” Eden said.
“Me neither,” Randi added.
“How do you know one of your friends wasn’t in love with you?” Cari asked.
Randi shrugged.
“Or even now,” Cari said. “Haven’t we all had feelings for our friends at one time or another?”
Kelly chuckled. “I haven’t, but I can see how it could happen.”
Eden glanced over at Randi who seemed to be doing everything she could not to look her way.
“Randi and I were talking about your latest book and how there were several scenes where the characters did things that we have done together,” Eden said.
“I’m not surprised,” Cari said. “That’s why I put the friends in those situations. I wanted it to be realistic.”
“It was for us,” Randi said.
“Yeah, one of them was already in love with the other, so I put them in places that were familiar to them both until the other friend felt the spark, too.”
“I had a girlfriend who felt the spark in the beginning, but I didn’t at first,” Kelly said.
“How many times have you felt a spark for someone and they didn’t?” Cari asked. “Or maybe they did and you didn’t pick up on it. Love isn’t predictable.”
“No it’s not,” Kelly said. “I’ll have to read your latest.”
“I’ll text you a link to the book,” Eden said with a smile. She glanced over at Randi who was staring at her with a look on her face that Eden couldn’t quite read.
“They’re about to start again,” Cari said.
The band was back on the stage and were about to play again when the lead singer said, “You’re welcome to get up and dance. There’s a little room down here by the stage. Ready, one, two, three.”
They started to play and Eden couldn’t help but wonder why Randi wouldn’t look at her one minute then she caught her staring the next. From time to time their friends had asked why the two of them never dated, but they’d always agreed that their friendship was more important.
A few people did get up and dance as the band played an upbeat song.
Everyone continued to sing along as Eden noticed smiles on everyone’s faces at their table.
She decided to put her earlier behavior and Randi’s out of her mind.
Maybe she was seeing things that weren’t there.
It was probably because of the situation.
They were both a little nervous with Eden on a date and Randi meeting Cari in this atmosphere.
She was beginning to relax and enjoy the music when Kelly leaned over.
“I’ll be right back,” Kelly said loudly into Eden’s ear as she got up and went to the stage to adjust the equipment.
Eden knew Kelly was helping the band tonight and might be called away at times.
The band started to play Paramore’s “Ain’t it Fun” and Eden looked over at Randi, wide eyed.
This was one of their favorite songs to dance to whether they were with friends at a party or out at a bar.
There was no way she would get up and dance by herself like several other people had, but when she glanced at Randi she could see the understanding in her eyes.
Randi didn’t care who was looking on. If she wanted to dance, she danced.
Randi gestured toward the dance floor and raised her brows. Eden nodded eagerly and hopped up. She stopped to ask Cari to go with them, but she declined.
“Are you sure?” Eden asked. When Cari nodded, Eden took Randi’s hand and stepped onto the dance floor.
As they moved and jumped to the music there was pure joy on Randi’s face which made Eden smile even bigger. Whatever had been going on with them earlier was forgotten as they danced and sang along.
When the song ended the band transitioned to a slower song and they started back to the table. Kelly grabbed Eden’s hand and smiled. “Dance with me?”
Eden nodded as Randi backed away. Kelly led them around the small space doing the two-step. Once the song ended they went back to the table.
“I loved watching you two,” Cari said. “I’m not much of a dancer, but that looked like fun.”
“It is,” Eden said. She looked over at Randi. “We can teach you the two-step.”
Randi smiled at Eden and nodded.