“You can’t just throw a character’s name out when you don’t know who they are. Google it.” Ricki walked across the living room toward the stairs.
“But I can’t Google it unless I know how to spell it.”
Ricki stopped and rattled off the spelling.
“Stop. You need to go slower.”
Ricki sighed and spelled it, stopping a beat between each letter.
“Got it.” Blythe waved her phone.
“Good. I’m going to bed.” Ricki grabbed the metal railing as she started up the stairs.
“Wait. You still haven’t given me enough guidance to impress this girl.” Blythe leaped up from the couch and hurried toward Ricki.
Ricki stopped halfway up the staircase and sat on a step. She put her elbow on her knee and rested her chin against her hand. “Just be yourself.”
“What?” Blythe stopped at the bottom of the staircase and leaned against the railing. “Don’t you work for a marketing firm?”
“Don’t remind me.” Ricki stretched her arms over her head and yawned.
“I mean, if I’m gonna be a top influencer, I need to up my game. I need a bigger persona.”
“Genuineness wins out. Just be yourself.”
“You already said that.”
“Then I meant it.” Ricki let out a heavy sigh. “What do I need to say so you’ll let me go to bed?”
“Tell me how to respond to the librarian. With our combined followers, I think it could be a beautiful partnership.”
Ricki frowned. “I still don’t get whether this is business or pleasure.”
Blythe smirked. “Why can’t I have a little pleasure with my business?”
Ricki groaned as she got to her feet. Blythe wondered if it was Blythe’s words or if Ricki was that tired. “Just be honest with your intentions.”
When Ricki started walking up the stairs again, Blythe headed back to the couch.
“Hey,” Ricki called.
Blythe turned back. “Yeah.”
“You’re a great person, Kris.”
Blythe didn’t correct Ricki for using her given name.
“You’re my best friend, and I love you. But don’t lose yourself chasingfame.” When Ricki said fame, she punctuated it with air quotes. “It’s fleeting. At day’s end, all you have is your integrity. Don’t lose it. And don’t play this librarian.”
Before Blythe could respond, Ricki disappeared up the stairs.
What the hell?Ricki needed to quit her stupid job. It was sucking the fun out of her. Making her lose her optimism, but Blythe hadn’t. Blythe knew she could still have it all, and she’d prove it to everyone, especially Ricki.
CHAPTER 7
Abby pulled into thegarage and turned off her car. She sat in the driver’s seat, not reaching for the door handle. For the last two weeks, it seemed she’d been coming home later and later. Most times, it was well after dark when she left the library.
If only she could blame her workload, but she knew better. Her small ranch house, the one she’d fallen in love with when the Realtor showed it, didn’t hold the appeal it once did.
