Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“So, is that a yes?” Randi asked with raised eyebrows.
Cari smiled and nodded. “Yes, but I do have one condition.”
Randi furrowed her brow. “Okay? I’m sure we can meet it.”
Cari smirked then smiled. “You and Eden have to teach me how to two-step.”
Randi looked at Eden and grinned. “We can do that.”
“You want to learn to dance?” Analise asked.
Cari shook her head. “No, I want to dance like Eden and Kelly were last night at the bar.”
“Eden and I learned how to two-step when we moved to Texas,” Randi said.
“Yes, and we’d be happy to teach you,” Eden added.
“Okay then, I’m in. It’s a yes,” Cari said.
Randi could feel relief wash over her. She’d had bigger pitches for a great deal more money, but she hadn’t realized until Cari said “yes” just how much she wanted this.
Joy filled the room and there were smiles on every face.
When Randi’s eyes met Eden’s she felt a thrill rush through her body.
Eden had helped Randi with the pitch, but it was up to her to deliver it and she could see the happiness in Eden’s eyes.
Randi stood a little taller knowing she’d put that happiness on Eden’s face.
Randi was always the one asking Eden to join her in some new adventure or for a favor.
Eden rarely asked Randi for anything. Yes, she’d asked her to come work at HLR several times, but when she asked Randi to help with this author she knew it was important to Eden.
Thank goodness she’d come through for her.
“Let’s go out and celebrate,” Analise said. “How about this evening? Do you have plans, Cari?”
Cari shook her head. “Nope. Where do you want to meet?”
“How about the brewery where we had the pitch event?” Randi suggested.
“I like that place,” Cari said. “Sounds good. Text me what time and I’ll see you there.”
“But first, maybe you could come to my office with me for a minute,” Analise said.
Cari chuckled. “I’m sure you want me to sign something before I change my mind.”
“Change your mind?” Eden asked. “Why would you do that? You get all this.” She held out her arms and grinned.
“Exactly,” Cari replied. “I’m all in.”
Randi watched them walk out of the office then turned to Eden. “Oh my God!”
Eden squealed and jumped into Randi’s arms. Randi hugged her tightly as they jumped up and down.
“I knew you could do it!” Eden exclaimed.
Randi laughed. “I wasn’t so sure there for a moment, but you know, she’s right. How could she say no to all this?”
Eden chuckled then her face fell. “Uh, I won’t be able to join y’all at the brewery.”
Randi raised a brow. “Why not?”
“I have a date with Gabi. Remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” Randi pursed her lips. “Isn’t it for drinks?”
Eden nodded.
“We’ll be there for a while. Come by after you meet with Gabi,” Randi said.
“Are you sure? I’d really like to celebrate with y’all.”
“Have a margarita with Gabi then come celebrate,” Randi said. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
Randi shrugged. “If you really hit it off with her, who knows, you may stay for more than drinks.”
Eden smirked. “I’ll see you at the brewery.”
Randi chuckled. “Come on, you’re going on these dates to find the one.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “You have to be all in like Cari is.”
Eden scoffed. “I am all in,” she said. “I met Tennie for coffee. I went to hear live music with Kelly and now I’m going for margaritas with Gabriella. It’s only been a week since the pitch event.”
“Okay, okay,” Randi said.
“Enough about me,” Eden said. “I’m so proud of you. I knew you could get Cari to give us a chance.”
Randi smiled and could feel the joy race through her body once again. “Thanks for helping me with it and for the encouragement. Every time I looked at you I could see you were silently cheering me on.”
Eden chuckled. “I was.” She reached for Randi’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you for doing this for me and for HLR.”
Randi could feel her cheeks pinken. “I’m glad it worked out.”
“I hope this means you’re thinking about staying on,” Eden said with raised brows. “You work well with Cari and I’m sure she wants you to oversee her account.”
Randi smiled. “We’ll see.”
Eden tilted her head and narrowed her gaze.
“I know what that looks means,” Randi said. “You need to think about what it would mean if I work here. It could be too much togetherness.”
Eden scoffed. “I have thought about it. That’s why I keep asking you to come to work with me. It’ll be great, Randi. You’d see if you gave us a chance. Cari did. Now it’s your turn.”
Randi took a deep breath and crossed her arms. “Don’t you have work to be doing?”
“Don’t you?”
Randi chuckled. “Come on. I’ll show you the new ads I worked up for Cari’s backlist last night.”
They walked out of the conference room and down the hall to Randi’s office.
Maybe I could get used to working here, Randi thought with a glance over at Eden. She certainly liked the people and she was having fun creating content for Cari’s author brand and books.
At the end of the day Randi went home to change into a more casual outfit for the celebration at the brewery. She’d stopped by Eden’s office first and wanted to be sure she was comfortable meeting Gabi alone on this first date.
When Randi thought about it, the week had been eventful for them both.
Eden was doing her interpretation of a social butterfly with her various dates as Randi worked on the pitch for Cari.
She’d enjoyed all the research she’d quickly done to get up to speed on book marketing.
Randi knew she still had a lot to learn, but that’s another reason she often changed jobs.
She loved a challenge. Yes, she knew sales and marketing, but different products in different markets often called for a new approach.
Testing these tactics and getting the results she’d hoped for was a special kind of satisfaction that did something to her heart. She loved it.
As she changed into a favorite pair of jeans, Randi gazed through her closet and pulled out a sleeveless V-neck sweater.
Eden had suggested a sleeveless top the other night and Randi had felt confident in it, so why not wear something similar tonight.
She slid an oversized long sleeve shirt off a hanger to take with her since it might cool down after the sun set.
Randi thought of Eden and realized she didn’t know what she’d decided to wear tonight.
They usually discussed outfits any time they were going out.
She knew Eden wanted to be in two places at once tonight so Randi had assured her if she was having a great time with Gabi she should stay.
Cari would understand since she had been there for the original “pitch a friend” event.
Randi touched up her makeup, did a quick check in her mirror, then headed out for the brewery. The drive was uneventful and she easily found a parking place. She was about to go inside when her phone pinged with a text. It was from Eden.
I just pulled up at the restaurant.
Take a deep breath and have a good time.
Randi waited and saw the familiar bubbles as Eden replied.
Eden didn’t have to tell her she was nervous; that’s why Randi suggested the deep breath.
A part of her wanted to leave and be there to walk into the restaurant with Eden.
She could make sure Eden was comfortable with Gabi, then Randi could disappear.
Thanks. Y’all have fun. Hopefully I’ll see you later.
Randi slipped her phone into her purse and walked inside the bar.
She looked around and didn’t see Analise or Cari anywhere, but did spy a high top table at the edge of the larger space away from the bar.
This would be the perfect spot to observe the room and people watch while they celebrated Cari joining the Hook, Line & Reader author lineup.
She decided to wait for the others before ordering a drink and within minutes Analise walked through the front door. Randi met her gaze and smiled.
“Hey, this is a good spot,” Analise said, sliding onto the chair next to Randi.
“I thought so too.”
“What are you drinking?”
“Nothing,” Randi replied. “I was waiting on you and Cari.”
“Before Cari gets here…” Analise’s voice trailed off.
Randi raised her brows in question.
“Your pitch was obviously wonderful and I’m grateful for all the hard work you put in this week,” Analise said. “But we didn’t discuss what happens next.”
“There was a lot going on today.” Randi smiled.
“Yes and Cari thinks you’re a team leader who works at HLR.”
Before they could continue their conversation Cari walked into the bar. Randi waved. “There she is. Don’t worry about that right now, Analise. Let’s welcome your newest author.”
Analise sighed then smiled as Cari approached the table.
“Hi.” Cari beamed a smile at them.
“We waited on you to order,” Randi said. “What are we drinking, ladies?”
“Hmm, what’s a good celebratory drink to start with?” Cari asked.
Randi chuckled. “Okay. It sounds like we’ll be here for a while.”
“Should we start with champagne?” Analise suggested.
“Oh, that would be appropriate,” Cari said. “I like champagne but it doesn’t like me.”
Randi laughed. “I hear you. We don’t want any headaches in the morning. How about margaritas? I think tequila is appropriate for a celebration.”
“Let’s do it!” Cari exclaimed. “I love margaritas and I’ve never gotten a bad one while visiting my sister here in Texas.”
“Maragritas it is,” Analise said, holding up her hand to get the server’s attention.
After they’d ordered Cari put her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “I was wondering about something you said this morning.”
“Okay,” Randi said.
“Live selling,” Cari said. “That’s something I’ve never done. I have a good following on Instagram and TikTok and have seen live selling events on both platforms.”
“That trend is becoming more popular and more authors are trying it this year,” Analise said.
“I’m not sure I emphasized it enough this morning,” Randi said, leaning towards Cari. “You don’t have to do anything you are not comfortable with. If live selling is not something that appeals to you then we won’t do it.”
Randi could see Cari visibly relax. She reached out and squeezed Randi’s forearm.
“Thank you for saying that.” Cari smiled. “I’m not saying I won’t do it, but I just want to make sure I don’t look like a fool. I may be self-published, but I am a professional.”
“Yes you are and there’s no way we’d ever do anything that isn’t polished and on brand for you, Cari,” Analise stated firmly.
Cari took a big sip of her drink and sat back in her chair.
“Thank you. I expected to have second thoughts about this all afternoon, but I haven’t.
I do have reservations about some of the things you mentioned, simply because they are out of my comfort zone, but I can see now that my best interests are important to you. ”
“They are,” Randi said. “If you do well, we do well. It’s a team thing.”
“I like this team,” Cari said. “We need another round!”
Randi and Analise laughed as the server made their way back to the table.
The Friday night crowd had multiplied at the bar along with the noise level. They talked about books and Randi found herself asking Cari several questions about her latest release. The friends to lovers trope wasn’t Randi’s favorite, but Cari assured her it was a popular trope in sapphic romance.
Sometime later Cari leaned in and finished her drink. “I’d really like to have another, but I know it would be a bad decision.”
Randi chuckled. “You could always have a glass of water.” She’d chosen to drink water after the second margarita and the slight buzz that remained was just right.
“That’s a good idea and I will have water when I get to my sister’s. Which means it’s time for me to go,” Cari said.
“Me, too,” Analise said, taking out her phone to call a ride share. “How about you, Randi?”
“I’m going to stay a little longer. Eden hoped to come by after her date.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Cari said. “She was having drinks with one of the women she met at the pitch thing.”
Randi nodded. “She’s met several women from the event this week.”
“It’s because of your pitch.” Cari smiled. “I should know, it worked on me this morning.”
“It’s the product, Cari,” Randi said. “Analise built it.”
“Yes, but it helps to have someone who can deliver it in a way that’s hard to say no to.” Cari stood up. “My ride’s here. Thank you for a great time and even more for this opportunity. I think we’re going to do great things for each other.”
“I do too,” Randi said.
“I’ll walk out with you,” Analise said. “Good night.”
Randi smiled as they left the table. She’d thought of Eden several times during the evening, but hadn’t heard from her. Maybe she wasn’t coming by after all.
Randi surveyed the crowd and thought back to the night she’d pitched Eden to the room full of single women. She felt an arm snake around her shoulder.
“You must be waiting on me, gorgeous,” a sultry voice said next to her ear.