“Hey, sorry.” Ricki tossed the bottle into the recycle bin. “That wasn’t a diss.”
“Yeah, I know.” Abby smiled. “I just see the wisdom in your choices.”
Ricki put her hand on Abby’s shoulder. “I love Blythe with all my heart. But I’m gonna tell you this. If she wants you to do something you’re not comfortable with, put your foot down. Say no.” Ricki placed her other hand on Abby’s shoulder, so they stood facing each other. “Promise me. You can’t compromise who you are.”
Abby gave Ricki a half-smile. “I promise.”
“Good.” Ricki squeezed Abby’s shoulders. “You’d better get some sleep. We have a full day tomorrow.”
Abby glanced down at the robe she was wearing. She untied the cinch. “Do you want this back?”
Ricki glanced at the robe, which had fallen open, and shook her head. “Why don’t you just leave it on the kitchen chair?”Ricki turned and walked toward the door. As she was about to exit the kitchen, she called over her shoulder, “Good night.”
“Good night,” Abby said to Ricki’s retreating back.
CHAPTER 26
“What book do youhate that everyone else loves?” Blythe asked Abby as they ate breakfast.
Ricki looked up from the screen she’d been staring at. “You’re asking her about books?” She’d been quiet most of the meal, so Blythe had almost forgotten she was there.
“Yeah.” Blythe sat up straighter. “You’re not the only one who can ask bookish questions.”
“Whatever.” Ricki returned her gaze to her phone.
“So which one is it?” Blythe asked.
“The Catcher in the Rye.” Abby ran her toast over her plate, scooping up the last of her eggs.
“Mine too. I don’t get the hype,” Ricki said, dropping her phone onto the table.
“Right?” Abby said. “Holden Caulfield is the whiniest and most unlikeable person—ever.”
“Yes! And the hypocrisy,” Ricki said.
Blythe assumed Holden Caulfield must be the main character, unless he was the author. She punched the name into her phone, getting the answer.
Blythe scanned the paragraph for a nugget of inspiration. “I’m not sure what Salinger was thinking,” Blythe said, satisfied she’d been able to participate in the conversation and even use the author’s name. With Google, who needed to read the book?
Ricki shot her a surprised glance but didn’t challenge her.
“Why did you ask?” Abby said.
Blythe tested out her best smile. “I thought it’s time for your first negative review, andCatcher in the Ryewould be perfect for it.”
“Uh, you know I’m not comfortable with that. It’d just bring out haters who loved the book.”
“Haters can bite my ass. You can’t let them get to you.”
“She said she wasn’t comfortable,” Ricki said in a harsh tone.
“Geez, dude. Chill. I was just asking.” Blythe glanced at Abby and shrugged.
“I’d prefer not to,” Abby said.
“That’s all you needed to say.” Blythe looked at Ricki. “See? Easy.”
It wouldn’t have been as easy if Ricki wasn’t adamant, but Abby didn’t need to know that. Ricki’s job had already caused Ricki’s personality to suffer, but now adding Missy to the mix, Blythe feared Ricki’s up and down moods would worsen.
