“The fuck? It’s Blythe now. Would you at least try to get it right?”
If Blythe didn’t know her best friend so well, she’d swear it was intentional, but no way would Ricki ever do anything mean-spirited on purpose. They’d been best friends since seventh grade and been sharing Ricki’s house for the past four years.
Ricki yawned as she trudged toward the kitchen counter. “Sorry, I’m not awake yet. I claim zero responsibility for anything I say or do before my first cup of coffee.”
Blythe ignored the apology and hit play on the video again. She’d never admit how many times she’d watched the damned thing over the past two weeks. Her obsession with it almost rivaled her fascination with the Kelly Clarkson wink.
“I said I was sorry.” Ricki set her steaming coffee on the table and pulled out a chair. “I’m trying to remember to use your stage name.”
Blythe looked up from her phone and scowled. “It’s not a fucking stage name. It’s my persona. My presence. My vibe. Kris Willoughby is too fucking boring.”
Six months ago, when Blythe’s social media presence began to be noticed, she’d started using the name Blythe Willoughby. Since, she’d added another one hundred fifty thousand followers, so it must be working.
“Fine. I get it,Blythe.Better?” Ricki ran her hand through her tousled hair before she reached for her coffee. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as she savored the first swallow.
Blythe frantically tapped her phone, searching for her camera icon. She’d been wanting to shoot a video of Ricki’s orgasmic reaction to her first sip of coffee for months.
Ricki opened one eye just as Blythe raised her phone. “Don’t you even think about it.”
“Aww, come on. Why not?” Blythe lowered her phone. “You could go viral.”
“I don’t want to go viral.” Ricki took another sip of her coffee, and her expression still held a sensual pleasure. “That’s your department.”
“Humor me then. I could go viral.” They’d had this conversation so many times, Blythe could recite it word for word.
“I humor you all the time. Who shoots most of your damned videos?”
It was true. Reliable Ricki never turned Blythe down, no matter how outlandish her schemes were. Just last week, Blythe convinced Ricki to film from atop their roof to get the best angle. And Blythe avoided mentioning the mishap they’d had on the Chicago River. At least the river wasn’t as gross as it was when they were kids, so Ricki didn’t smell too bad after she’d fallen in.
Not in the mood to repeat their argument, Blythe said, “You look rough this morning. Interesting night?”
“I wish.” Ricki ran her hand through her hair again. Everything about Ricki was low-key, except her hair, which she dyed a silvery lilac. “Munson insisted we stay late and finish up the campaign we were working on. I didn’t leave the office until after midnight.”
“He’s such a jackass. Why don’t you quit that stupid job?”
Ricki shot her a side eye and was about to respond, but Blythe waved her off, not wanting to hear Ricki’s canned speech about household finances. Since Blythe lost her job at the DMV for filming in the facility, she’d been unable to pay her fair share the last several months. Ricki had been carrying the load without complaint until Blythe pushed her to quit her job.
Blythe tapped the table next to her cellphone. “I just need a couple more viral videos. With a few more followers, the cash will roll in. I forgot to tell you. Gilly brought in almost a thousand last month. And I heard Bridget and Foxy cleared five thousand.”
Gilly was one of Blythe’s online friends, and Bridget and Foxy were an age gap lesbian couple who were the darlings of the sapphic community. The relationship was the gold standard that all other relationships were measured against.
“That’s great. I know you’ll get there.” Ricki gave her a half smile. “It’s my own fault I’m working in a job I hate. On what planet did I think a history degree would be marketable?”
“Better than being a community college dropout.” Blythe’s voice held an edge.
“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to bust your balls.” Ricki took another drink of her coffee. “I just hate my job and Munson. Maybe this fall I’ll look for something different.”
“It’s April. Why not look now?”
“What else have you learned about your librarian?” Ricki asked.
Blythe considered calling her out for changing the subject, but she’d rather talk about her latest obsession, anyway. “She’s adorable.” Blythe picked up her cellphone. “And her post has gotten over a million views.”
Ricki motioned for Blythe to give her the cellphone. “Let me see it.”
“You haven’t watched it yet?”
“Don’t sound so shocked.” Ricki laughed. “You know I don’t pay attention to that shit like you do.”
