Blythe wriggled her eyebrows and smirked.
“She wouldn’t,” Ricki said to Abby. When Abby continued to stare at Ricki with a blank look, Ricki added, “The schtick at Ed Debevic’s is all the waitstaff are snarky and rude.”
“Oh, god.” Abby put her hand against her chest. “They’ll eat us alive.” She tilted her head and studied Blythe. “Is that our penance?”
Blythe gave her a crooked smile. “Maybe.”
Abby bit her lip. “I’m in.”
Blythe laughed. “Are you aware that line already got us in trouble once?”
By the twinkle in Abby’s eye, Blythe realized Abby’s response was intentional. It was what she’d said when Blythe had suggested they try a threesome. The librarian had spunk after all.
“Oh, man.” Ricki smirked at Blythe and then took Abby’s hand. “I’d say it led to the best kind of trouble.”
Blythe spread her arms out and looked toward the ceiling. “Thank you,” she said to the heavens. Then she looked at her friends. “I’m glad we got that round of awkwardness out of the way. It’s all gotta be gone.”
“We’ll do our best,” Ricki said.
“Oh, no. There is no doing your best. It’s happening because it must be all gone by next weekend.”
“Big plans next weekend?” Ricki asked.
Blythe smiled. “Yep. Dapper’s coming to visit, and she’s dying to meet you guys.”
“You want us here the first time she visits?” Ricki said.
“Absolutely. The more the merrier,” Blythe said.
Abby narrowed her eyes. “I want to make one thing clear.”
Blythe and Ricki exchanged glances, unsure what Abby was about to say.
“A threesome is one thing,” Abby said. “But there will not be a foursome.” After a beat of stunned silence, Abby burst out laughing. “You two need to lighten up.”
Blythe laughed, knowing everything was going to be okay.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Ricki glanced at herwatch and then at Abby, who ran beside her. Abby’s ponytail bounced with each step. Most times now, even at the library, Abby wore her hair down. After a year together, Ricki found Abby more beautiful than the first day they’d met. And if possible, Ricki fell more in love with her every day.
“Ready to pick up the pace?” Ricki asked.
“Ugh, can’t we take the last mile slower?” Abby said.
“Afraid not. Blythe’s calling in fifteen minutes, and if we don’t cool down, you know she’ll accuse us of going at it like rabbits.”
Abby laughed. “Would she be wrong?”
Ricki chuckled but didn’t answer. Instead, she ran faster.
Blythe wouldn’t be wrong. Making love to Abby was magical, and their pace hadn’t slowed. Ricki heard with most couples it tapered, but she’d ride this wave as long as possible.
Six months ago, Ricki had taken the plunge and moved to Harveston. It was the best decision of her life, and deliveringher letter of resignation to her boss had been a joyous occasion. Between Ricki’s freelance videography and their online business Novel Spaces, Ricki hadn’t had to return to the nine-to-five world.
Abby’s weird little idea of creating rooms celebrating books had sparked something in people. But the catalyst to Novel Spaces’ success came when Jenna Montgomery, the author of the bestselling YA trilogyThe Fractured Elementshad commissioned them to create three rooms in her home to honor the series. Since, their business exploded, and their online presence grew.
