Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Good morning,” Eden said, getting into Randi’s car. “Thanks for driving us.”
“You’re cheery this morning,” Randi said, backing out of her driveway.
“We’re going to Six Flags,” Eden said. “What will we ride first?”
Randi chuckled. “I imagine whatever the girls want to ride.”
“Mmm, we don’t have to hang out with them the whole time,” Eden said. She hoped that she and Randi could sneak off from the others and do a few of their favorite rides on their own.
“I guess we don’t,” Randi replied.
“Should we visit our old friend the cave ride first?”
“I’ll never forget that day,” Randi said, shaking her head. “You grabbed my hand and we took off. My stomach was in my throat and then you winked at me.” She chuckled. “I knew you would save me from the roller coasters somehow.”
Eden laughed. “There was no way you were riding a roller coaster and then feeling sick the rest of the day.” She reached over and squeezed Randi’s arm. “I’ve got you, Randi.”
Randi looked over and smiled. “I know.”
Eden sat back and smiled. There was no awkwardness, it was just her and Randi. Maybe today could be a day of fun like they were used to.
“Hey, I was wondering if tonight you might like to do something with me,” Randi said.
“Something? Like an adventure or a new something?”
Randi chuckled. “Uh, it’s not necessarily new, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“We haven’t done anything like that in a while,” Eden said.
“Well, you’ve been busy going on dates and I’ve been learning a new job,” Randi said.
“I know,” Eden replied. “We’re so behind on our shows.”
“You could watch them without me.”
“No I can’t!” Eden exclaimed. “You wouldn’t do that to me, would you?”
Randi laughed. “No, I remember what happened years ago when I watched the end of Rizzoli no one had to know Eden’s true feelings.
They stood in line for the cave ride, but once they were seated on the makeshift boat, memories came rushing back. Eden remembered Randi’s relieved sighs, big smiles, and a little bit of cockiness from putting one over on their friends.
“You’re remembering that day, aren’t you?” Randi asked as the boat floated down the track and into the darkness ahead.
Eden chuckled. “Yes, it was amazing how quickly you went from fear and dread to arrogance. You had a bit of moxie the rest of the day.”
Randi laughed. “I had to act like I’d ridden the frigging roller coaster and it was nothing. I couldn’t let them see through me.”
“How many times have I seen that look, but knew the truth?” Eden chuckled.
“Yet you always have my back.”
“Of course I do.” Eden bumped her shoulder into Randi’s. Because I love you.
“They thought we were their cool lesbian friends.”
“We are their cool lesbian friends,” Eden said. “Which reminds me. We haven’t seen them in a while. Ann-Marie texted me the other day about a birthday party she’s planning for Sidney.”
“I know, she texted me, too,” Randi said. “We’ve been busy. They know how it is when I change jobs.”
As they floated around another bend in the stream a blast of cool air from above blew their hair.
“Oh, that feels nice,” Randi said. “Another reason we like this ride.”
“Do you think maybe you’ll stay with this job?” Eden couldn’t see Randi’s eyes in the darkness, but could just make out her smile.
“I’m loving this job,” Randi said. “Especially the people.”
Eden smirked. “Duh, of course you love the people.”
Randi chuckled. “I try to say something nice…”
“But is the job challenging enough?” Eden huffed. “I want you to enjoy your job and want to stay. You don’t have to love it all the time, but there’s something reassuring and gratifying about staying with it. I want you to experience that because it does something to you.”
“You don’t ever feel complacent or in a rut?”
“Yes, sometimes I do, but something comes along to give me a jolt. It may be a new author or a new co-worker with fresh and exciting ideas that I see the results from in the numbers on my reports.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“Maybe,” Eden said.
Randi chuckled.
“I try to say something nice…” Eden repeated Randi’s words and they both laughed as their boat came out of the cave and floated to the exit.
Eden reached up and took Randi’s offered hand as she stepped out of the boat.
“I do see myself staying at HLR, Eden. Stop worrying about making me love the job. Did you ever think I might want to stay because of the people?”
They walked up the sidewalk to exit the ride. “Is that reason enough though?”
“You should be worried that you’re going to get sick of seeing me every day,” Randi said.
“Not going to happen,” Eden said.
“Hey!” They heard a familiar voice behind them and turned to see Analise and Tennie coming their way.
“How are the roller coasters?” Randi asked.
“We need a break,” Tennie said. “Lots of upside down and all around. I’m not sure which way is up.”
Analise laughed. “It’s been the most fun!”
Eden laughed. “You are glowing.”
“That’s sweat,” Analise replied. “We’re looking for someplace to go inside in the AC and have something to eat.”
“There’s a place right around this bend,” Eden said.
“I’ll text Cari and see if they want to meet us,” Randi said.
Eden walked next to Randi as they made their way to the café. If Tennie could see the love between her and Randi, Eden wondered if Analise could see it, too. She’d known Randi for a long time because she’d come by Eden’s office often before she started working at HLR.
Over the past week Eden had tried to find a way to talk to Randi about her feelings. She wasn’t sure what Randi had planned for them tonight, but maybe if she got the opportunity she could find the words.
Today showed her just how connected she was to Randi. Something about the way Randi looked at her and the way her touch felt today made Eden believe they could navigate this step. She just had to make Randi believe it too.