Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Randi sat on her couch while a Hallmark movie played in the background on her TV.
She was so miserable that she thought maybe she could find the answer to how not to break Eden’s heart in one of these sappy movies.
Her stomach had been flipping and rolling all day.
It started this morning when she’d woken up alone in Eden’s bed.
The doubts roared to life and when she went to the kitchen and saw that Eden had made her waffles she almost broke down in tears.
All she kept seeing in her head were all the ways things could go wrong for her and Eden.
She imagined Eden getting tired of her antics or what if she became bored with Randi.
Everyone might think Randi was outgoing and always fun, but that wasn’t the case.
Eden knew this and Randi could just picture the weariness on her face having to put up with another one of Randi’s schemes.
Hmm, it’s funny that that hadn’t happened yet, but Randi knew it would the minute she committed to being with Eden.
Being with Eden. Her mind stopped on those words. A smile played at the corner of Randi’s mouth as she imagined going to sleep with Eden each night and feeling her arms around her. Or waking up in the morning and the first thing she saw was Eden’s beautiful face.
Randi could imagine them working together in the evenings on new authors at HLR. Eden was her trusted sounding board and always gave her honest feedback. HLR? How could they continue to work together? Randi really liked her job there and was just now settling in with her trademark confidence.
She groaned as her phone pinged with a text.
I need to spend time with adults. I’ll pick you up in an hour. Be ready.
Randi read the text from Cari and shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do was go out.
Sorry, I can’t tonight. I’m not feeling well.
I’m not taking no for an answer. I know about you and Eden. You have an hour.
What the hell? How could Cari know?
She groaned again at the thought of Eden being so upset she called Analise. Maybe that’s how Cari found out.
Randi knew Cari was serious. She had a way of getting what she wanted and that meant Randi had best get up and shower.
True to her word, an hour later, Randi let Cari into her apartment.
“Oh good, you’re ready.”
“Did I have a choice?” Randi frowned and turned off the TV.
“Nope.”
“How did you find out?”
Cari tilted her head and gave Randi a compassionate look. “That’s not important. Do you need a hug?”
Randi shook her head. “If you hug me right now, I’ll burst into tears.”
“We don’t want that. What have you been doing all day?”
“Doom doubting.”
“Excuse me?”
Randi halfheartedly chuckled. “It’s like doom scrolling, but you’re playing the worst things that could happen over and over in your head. Eden calls it doom doubting and she says I have a masters degree in it.”
“I see,” Cari said. “Does anything good come from it?”
Randi shook her head. “It hasn’t yet.”
“Okay, then.” Cari said. “We’re going to the brewery. Maybe a beer will give you some clarity.”
Randi reached for her purse and they left her apartment. Minutes later they were in Cari's car on the way to the bar.
“Can I ask you something?” Cari said.
“Sure. You’re going to anyway.”
Cari smirked. “What are you so afraid of?”
Randi scoffed. “There aren’t enough hours in the day to list them all.”
“I don’t believe that. What gives?”
“I don’t want to hurt Eden,” Randi said, looking out the side window. “Sooner or later I’m going to screw this up. It’s better to hurt her now then to wait until we’ve been together for a while and do it then.”
“Where is that Randi Powell confidence?” Cari exclaimed. “You and Eden have been best friends for nearly fifteen years. Don’t you think you would’ve screwed that up by now?”
Randi shrugged.
“Eden loves you,” Cari said. “Give yourself a little credit. You’ve done something right.”
They pulled into the parking lot and Randi thought about what Cari said. She knew Eden loved her, maybe that’s all that mattered.
Once inside, Cari led them past the bar and through the maze of tables to the area where Randi had given Eden’s pitch all those weeks ago. There was a band set up and Randi recognized Kelly sitting at one of the front tables. Randi turned to see Analise and Tennie sitting at a table near them.
“Do you want a beer?” Cari asked, pulling out a chair next to Analise.
“Uh, hey,” she said quietly to Analise and Tennie.
“Hi, Randi,” Analise said with a smile.
“Whoa, bud,” Tennie said. “I think you need a beer.”
Randi was sure she looked as bad as she felt. The shower hadn’t helped like she’d hoped.
“I’ll be right back,” Cari said.
“Eden told me what happened,” Analise said. “I’m sure it’s overwhelming.”
Randi could feel the heat rush to her cheeks.
Since they seemed to know she and Eden had been hiding their feelings all this time, Randi guessed Eden was so upset that she’d turned to them when she couldn’t turn to her best friend.
Randi felt a wave of anguish rush through her body.
She was the reason Eden was hurt and she couldn’t be there for her.
“I want to thank you,” Tennie said.
“Huh?” Randi wasn’t sure she’d heard Tennie correctly. “For what?”
“You gave such an amazing pitch that I wanted to get to know Eden better,” Tennie said. “That led me to you, Analise, and Cari. You’ve become treasured friends.”
Randi smiled. It was the first time she’d been able to do that since last night.
“There’s a pitch we thought you’d want to see,” Analise said.
Cari set a beer in front of Randi and sat down.
“A pitch?” Randi furrowed her brow.
“Yeah, it’s the ultimate pitch.” Cari grinned.
Randi looked at Cari with confusion but then her attention was drawn to the stage. Her heart dropped into her stomach and her mouth fell open. “What is Eden doing with the band?”
“Looks to me like she’s going to sing,” Analise said.
Randi looked over at her wide-eyed. “She’s afraid to sing alone.”
Analise smiled and nodded towards the stage.
Randi watched as the lead singer took the microphone. “We have a special song this evening from a friend.” She smiled and handed the microphone to Eden.
“Hi, I’m Eden,” she said. “And I’m terrified.”
There were a few chuckles and positive shouts from the crowd.
“If you’ll indulge me, I’m really only singing to one person.” Eden smiled. “Randi, this is for you, babe.”
Randi’s mouth fell open again and when Randi’s eyes met Eden's, the love in them nearly knocked her down. She was wearing one of Randi’s favorite dresses and when the music began to play Randi recognized Bruno Mars’ song “Risk It All.” She and Eden had been fans for a long time.
Whenever he released a new album they loved to listen to it together over and over.
“For just a chance to win your heart,” Eden sang. “You could set the bar beyond the stars. I’ll do anything, anything you ask me to.”
The sound of her beautiful voice curled around Randi’s heart. Eden didn’t realize just how good she was, but Randi could occasionally get her to sing when it was just them.
“Say you want the moon, watch me learn to fly.” Eden continued to sing. “Ain’t a mountain you could point to I wouldn’t climb. It’s crazy but it’s true, there’s nothing I won’t do. I’d risk it all for you.”
As Randi listened her throat tightened and tears pooled in her eyes. She didn’t see the other people in the room or sense her friends sitting at the table with her. All she could see, hear, and feel was Eden.
“To hold your hand and call you mine,” Eden sang and began to walk off the stage. She continued to sing as she walked towards Randi.
“I could go on and on to prove that you belong here in my arms.” Eden stopped near their table. She kept singing the lyrics then stared into Randi’s eyes. “I’d risk it all for you.”
Randi swallowed the lump that was lodged in her throat. Eden knew her better than anyone. She could listen to every argument Eden would make reassuring her that they could do this, but Eden knew for Randi, actions meant more than words.
“Will you dance with me?” Eden held out her hand.
Randi raised her brows just as the lead singer began to sing the rest of the song. She took Eden’s hand and she led them to the small dance floor.
“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to lead,” Eden said.
Randi was in shock and all she could do was nod.
She let Eden lead them around the floor in a slow dance. Eden kept smiling at her and Randi finally said, “You’re afraid to sing.”
Eden nodded. “Yep, but you mean more to me than anything. You’re always wanting me to sing for you. So…”
“You did it even though you were afraid.”
Eden nodded and said, “Twirl.”
Randi stepped under Eden’s raised arm and turned in a circle. “Where did you learn that? I always lead.”
“I had a good teacher,” Eden said, pulling Randi closer.
“I’ve been miserable all day.”
“Doom doubting.” Eden stated. “I’ve been full of fear all day, too. But we don’t have to be like that anymore.”
“You’re making me cry,” Randi said. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“You haven’t hurt me yet,” Eden said. “But that’s a part of love. We'll hurt each other along the way and we’ll hold each other through it.”
“I’ve got to push these doubts away,” Randi said. “Like I pushed my feelings for you away.”
“What better way to fight doubts than with me,” Eden replied.
“You don’t have any doubts?”
Eden shook her head. “Well, I doubt we’ll be able to finish this dance before I kiss you.”
Randi smiled, leaned in, and pressed her lips to Eden’s in a tear-filled, poignant kiss.
They pulled away and Eden said, “We’re doing this together. Let’s push all the doubts away so our love can shine through.”
“You know me,” Randi said. “The doubts will come and go.”
“But I won’t,” Eden said earnestly. “I’ll be right here with you.”
Randi rested her forehead against Eden’s and sighed as tears burned her eyes. “All I want is to be right here with you.” She looked into Eden’s eyes. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too—babe.”
Randi chuckled through her tears because she knew Eden called her babe on purpose.
The song ended and their lips met once again in a tender, sweet kiss. The people around them whooped, clapped, and cheered.
The smile on Randi’s face lit the room. She turned to Eden and said, “Let’s go home.”
They walked back over to the table arm in arm.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Analise said with a big smile.
“Thank you all for your help,” Eden said.
Randi sighed and shook her head. “I can be a lot.”
They all laughed.
“But we love you,” Cari said. “Nice job, Eden. You can really sing.”
“Thanks,” Eden said shyly.
“Glad to see everything worked out,” Kelly said, joining the group.
“Thanks for letting me do that,” Eden said.
“Yes, thanks for your help,” Randi said.
“No problem.” Kelly smiled. “You two belong together. It was obvious that night of the pitch a friend thing.”
“Everyone keeps saying that!” Eden exclaimed.
“It’s okay,” Randi said, pulling Eden tighter. “We finally figured it out.”
She stared into Eden’s eyes and that heat inside her once again burst into flames. Randi had felt it before, but now she could do something about it.
They said their goodbyes and Randi couldn’t wait to get back to Eden’s house. From now on she’d tell Eden when doubts crept in, but right now she wanted to show Eden how much she loved her.
Randi reached for Eden’s hand and pulled it into her lap. She intertwined their fingers and then held Eden’s hand to her heart.
“You okay?”
Randi softly kissed the tip of each of Eden’s fingers. “I want a do-over of this morning.”
“We don’t need a do-over,” Eden said. “We had to get through this so now we know what to do.”
“I know what to do,” Randi said. She gazed over at Eden and waited for her to glance her way. “Count on our love.”
“Thank God we’re home because I really need to kiss you right now,” Eden said, pulling into her driveway.