CHAPTER 19
Blythe pushed the coversback, being careful not to wake Abby. They’d stayed up until after two, scrolling through TikTok. Even so, Blythe couldn’t fall back to sleep once she’d awakened. It was just past seven; however, there was no reason to remain in bed staring at the ceiling. Coffee was calling her.
She crawled out of bed, tiptoed across the floor, and slowly pulled the door open, lessening the squeak of the hinges. She slipped through the door and gently closed it behind her.
As she approached the kitchen, the rich aroma of dark-roasted coffee pulled her forward. She was surprised to find a fully dressed Ricki standing over the coffeepot.
“What are you doing up so early?” Blythe asked.
Ricki turned. “I could ask you the same.”
Not only was Ricki dressed, but she wore her favorite running shoes. “Are you going for a run?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d go for a jog along the lake.”
Blythe rubbed her sleep-crusted eyes. “You’re going into the city? To run?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“I thought we’d had an excellent weekend,” Blythe said.
Ricki opened her mouth, but then it snapped closed. After a few moments, she spoke. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“If you’re running along the lake, that means you plan on a long run.”
Ricki nodded.
“And you take long runs when you’re stressed.”
Ricki nodded again.
“I’d hoped having such a nice weekend would lower your stress. Keep you from letting that stupid job drag you down.”
Ricki lifted her coffee cup to her lips and took a drink. Her gaze remained on Blythe.
Blythe cringed, thinking how unpleasant it was to ingest so much hot coffee in one gulp. How did Ricki do it? She was about to ask when Ricki spoke.
“It’s been a fun weekend, but it doesn’t mean anything at my job has changed.”
“Damn it. You seemed so relaxed that I didn’t think it was playing on you. You hid it well.” Blythe smiled. “Thanks for not spoiling things for Abby.”
“Speaking of. I should go before she wakes up.” Ricki downed the rest of her coffee.
“Why?”
“I’m sure she’d rather not see me the morning after.” Ricki put her foot on the side of the cabinet and tightened her laces.
It was too early in the morning for Ricki’s riddles, especially with Blythe’s lack of sleep. “Morning after what?”
“Oh, come on. I saw your post.” Ricki frowned. “That was fast. You didn’t surprise me, but she did.”
Understanding pushed through the fog in Blythe’s brain. “Oh! You thought we did that.”
“Cut the crap. Your followers—or should I say fans—are cheering this morning.”
Blythe chuckled. “God, I can’t wait to read the comments.”
“Well, I’ll get out of your way then.” Ricki picked up her cellphone from the counter and tucked it into her waistband.
