Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Randi smiled as the coffee shop came into view.
It was her turn to pick up drinks for her and Eden.
It had been two weeks since her pitch to Cari, and Eden did the coffee deliveries all last week.
Randi was surprised when Eden agreed to let her pick up this week because the coffee shop was where Eden sometimes ran into Tennie.
Randi may have changed jobs often, but she generally enjoyed going to work each day.
The last two weeks had been challenging, yet gratifying.
Randi had started ads on and Facebook for several of Cari’s books and series.
It was early, but she’d seen a slight increase in sales numbers.
She couldn’t be sure if it was due to the ads just yet, however, it was promising.
Eden was going to introduce Randi to Ginger at The Plot Twist. They were working on an in-person event for Cari to sign books and meet readers. Randi loved interacting with potential customers and was looking forward to the event even though Cari was a bit hesitant.
She had plenty of time to work with Cari so she would be more comfortable when meeting readers.
Randi was a coach of sorts when it came to things outside of Cari’s comfort zone.
Plus, they’d had several meetings since Cari signed and were getting to know one another better which helped Randi better understand what might help Cari.
The challenges and newness of the job made Randi’s days exciting, but she especially liked working with Eden every day.
Over the years she’d been unwilling to even think about working alongside Eden, and now she wondered why she’d been so afraid.
Their friendship was strong and she knew that, but something had always made her reluctant to say yes to working at Hook, Line & Reader.
Her thoughts drifted back to the night they celebrated Cari’s acceptance of their proposal.
When Randi had gone home with Eden later that night things became a little awkward when they talked about tropes and specifically the friends to lovers trope of Cari’s book.
Randi couldn’t believe she’d admitted to Eden that she’d once had a crush on her.
If Randi was being honest with herself, the crush had never really gone away.
Eden didn’t need to know that though. They’d both dated other women and had girlfriends throughout their friendship.
Eden had never thought of Randi in “that way”, so it was best for Randi to bury her feelings and protect their friendship. At least that’s what she told herself.
Randi was glad the awkwardness passed that night and she and Eden had ended up spending the weekend together. When work began on Monday they were back in sync and had been ever since.
There was a long line at the drive-through window, so Randi decided to park and go inside to get their drinks. After she’d placed her order she saw a familiar face staring down at her phone as she waited in the pickup line.
“Hi, Tennie.” Randi smiled.
Tennie looked up from her phone and Randi could see her trying to connect the dots in her head.
“Hello,” Tennie replied tentatively. “I feel like I should know you? Do I know you? Uh…”
Randi chuckled. “Yes, actually you do know me, but we only met briefly at the Pitch a Friend night a while back. I’m Randi Powell. Eden Andrews is my best friend.”
“Yes!” Tennie exclaimed. “You’re right, I do know you. Eden talks about you all the time.”
Randi winced. “Sorry about that.”
“What? No! You two obviously have a special friendship,” Tennie said. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“I’m sure you’d rather run into Eden, but it’s my turn to get coffee this week,” Randi explained. “She usually stops here and always brings me something back, so I had to return her kindness.”
Tennie nodded. “Actually, I didn’t get by here at all last week. Work was crazy. I was able to text with Eden a few times. She mentioned that you’re working with her full time now. How’s that going?”
“It’s great,” Randi said. “She has wanted me to come work at HLR for years and I was afraid we’d see too much of each other. It’s still new, but so far so good. She’s not tired of me yet.” She chuckled. “I probably annoy her daily, but that’s what friends are for. Right?”
Tennie laughed.
“Well, well. It looks like great minds think alike,” Analise said, walking up to them.
“Oh, hey,” Randi replied. “I didn’t know you came here too. I’d have been happy to pick something up for you.”
“I’ve only been here a couple of times,” Analise replied. “Eden speaks so highly of this place so I had to give it a try.”
“Analise, this is Tennie…” Randi paused. “I don’t know your last name.”
Tennie chuckled. “It’s okay. I don’t think any of us used last names that night.” She turned to Analise and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Tennie Still.”
“Analise Reilly,” she replied with a smile, shaking her hand.
“I know who you are, Analise,” Tennie said.
“And I know who you are,” Analise replied. “Eden works with me. You two met at the pitch a friend event. I was there that night, but left soon after Randi’s fabulous pitch.”
Tennie grinned. “It was a great pitch.”
Randi stood a little taller at their praise. “Thank you.”
“It was so good that Eden has several women vying for her attention,” Tennie said.
Analise chuckled. “Eden mentioned that she sees you here on occasion.”
Tennie’s face brightened and Randi could see a hint of pink on her cheeks.
“Don’t worry,” Randi said. “You’re at the top of the prospects. You have good hair.”
“What?” Tennie asked with confusion all over her face.
Randi chuckled. “Sorry, let me explain. Eden and I are both attracted to great hair. You’ve got it.”
“You have beautiful hair,” Tennie replied. “I noticed the night of the pitch.”
“Yes, but you do too,” Randi said. “Just because it’s short doesn’t mean it isn’t nice. That swoop you’ve got is spot on.”
Tennie’s brows rose on her forehead in surprise.
“I agree,” Analise said. “I like your hair.”
“Thank you,” Tennie gushed. “I need to run into you two more often. You’re good for my ego.” The barista called out Tennie’s name. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye,” Randi said. She turned to Analise and was surprised to see her staring at Tennie. “You okay?”
Analise quickly turned to Randi and exhaled. “Yes. She is not what I was expecting.”
“What were you expecting?”
Analise shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re right. She has great hair.”
Randi chuckled. She didn’t know a lot about Analise’s private life, but Eden had mentioned she’d never been married. Randi thought she was straight, but maybe not. Her new boss had just become more interesting.
Eden heard a light tap on her opened office door and looked up. “Hey there.”
“Am I bothering you?” Cari asked, standing in the doorway.
“Not at all. Have a seat.”
“I was looking for your bestie,” Cari said, sitting in the chair opposite Eden’s desk.
Eden chuckled. She’d found that Cari liked to use that word whenever she was talking about her and Randi.
“She should be here any minute now. I think she was stopping by our favorite coffee shop to pick up drinks.”
“Oh, I’ve never really cared for coffee.”
Eden raised her brows and smiled. “I don’t know that I’d call what we drink coffee. It’s more like a coffee flavored milkshake.”
Cari chuckled. “I might like that.”
“I know it’s early, but I’ve seen an uptick in your sales for the books Randi has started advertising,” Eden said.
Cari nodded. “I’ve noticed. Randi is really talented.”
“We’re lucky to have her.”
Cari stared at Eden for a moment then smiled. “She told me that I’m her first client and that she hasn’t been here long.”
“Right.” Eden nodded. “I’ve been trying to get her to come work here for a long time. She loves your books and that finally made her give us a chance. Her marketing skills are unmatched.”
“She has certainly mastered the art of the pitch,” Cari said. “Maybe it’s because she’s passionate about what she’s pitching.”
“What do you mean?”
“She likes my books, but I saw her pitch you at the friend event,” Cari said. “She had me convinced to ask you out!”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Why didn’t she what?” Randi said, walking into the office holding a drink carrier.
“Ask me out,” Eden said. “Your pitch was that good at the friend event.”
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask you out or Randi.” Cari chuckled. “You two were so cute up there.”
Eden grinned at Randi and took the offered coffee cup from her.
“Did we have a meeting scheduled this morning, Cari?” Randi asked nervously. “Uh, do you want a coffee? You can have mine.”
“No, I came by because it’s time you two fulfilled my condition on signing with HLR.”
“Hey,” Analise said, stopping in Eden’s doorway. “Am I missing a meeting?”
“Yes,” Cari said. “It’s time for y’all to teach me how to two-step.”
Eden chuckled. “You’re getting the lingo down.”
“Let’s go to Billy Bob’s,” Analise suggested. “We could go somewhere around here, but you may as well have the real cowboy experience.”
“I’ve heard of it,” Cari said.
“It’s a huge honky tonk,” Randi said. “It’d be a great place to learn to dance.”
“Can we go Friday?” Cari asked.
Randi looked at Eden. “Do you have anything planned with one of your pitch dates?”
“I do not,” Eden said. “Tennie and I are trying to get together this weekend, but nothing is set yet.”
“I met Tennie this morning,” Analise said with a smile.
“You did?”
“We were all at the coffee shop,” Randi explained. “I recognized her and said hello then Analise came in and joined us.”
“Why don’t you invite her to come along?” Analise asked. “That’s more dance partners for us.”
“Okay,” Eden said. “Is there anyone you’d want to invite, Cari?”
“No!” she exclaimed. “I can look like a fool in front of you because I’m your client and you have to be nice to me.”
Randi chuckled. “Looking like a fool and stepping on toes is part of the fun. You’ll catch on before you know it.”
“Okay, it’s settled then.” Cari got up and smiled. “Text me with the details. I’ll let y’all get to work on finding me more readers.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Analise said as they left Eden’s office.
“Looks like we’re going dancing,” Randi said, sitting in the now empty chair across from Eden.
“We haven’t been dancing in a long time.”
“What do you call last week or do you not remember dancing with Kelly,” Randi said.
“Oh, that was a couple of dances,” Eden said. “We weren’t there to dance like we will be Friday night.”
“Hey, I was wondering about Analise,” Randi said. “She’s never been married, right?”
Eden nodded.
“Does she date women?”
Eden shook her head. “I don’t think so. She was in a long-term relationship with a guy, but they broke up about a year ago. She says she’s through with dating.” She shrugged. “I don’t know if it was a bad breakup or if she’s just taking a break. She mentioned being too old to date.”
“No way!” Randi exclaimed. “She’s a beautiful, successful woman.”
“I agree, but why are you asking?”
“When she, Tennie and I were talking at the coffee shop I got a vibe from her,” Randi said.
“A vibe?”
Randi sighed. “We may have been talking about you.”
“Uh huh.”
“I told Tennie she had a chance with you because she has good hair,” Randi admitted.
“Oh God, she’s going to think I’m so superficial,” Eden moaned.
“No, she doesn’t,” Randi said. “Anyway, Analise commented on Tennie’s hair, too. It made me wonder if she was into women or maybe curious.”
“Hmm, interesting,” Eden murmured. “Maybe we can find out Friday night. You could dance with her.”
Randi grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. “I could.”
“Randi! She’s our boss. Don’t get any ideas.”
She laughed. “You should see your face. Gotcha!”
Eden smirked. “Get out of here! I have work to do.”
Randi was still laughing as she walked across the hall to her office.
Before Eden turned back to the spreadsheet she’d been working on, she pursed her lips and wondered about Analise. They had worked together for several years and Eden knew their workplace was inclusive. Hmm…