Randi could imagine them working together in the evenings on new authors at HLR. Eden was her trusted sounding board and always gave her honest feedback. HLR? How could they continue to work together? Randi really liked her job there and was just now settling in with her trademark confidence.
She groaned as her phone pinged with a text.
I need to spend time with adults. I’ll pick you up in an hour. Be ready.
Randi read the text from Cari and shook her head. The last thing she wanted to do was go out.
Sorry, I can’t tonight. I’m not feeling well.
I’m not taking no for an answer. I know about you and Eden. You have an hour.
What the hell? How could Cari know?
She groaned again at the thought of Eden being so upset she called Analise. Maybe that’s how Cari found out.
Randi knew Cari was serious. She had a way of getting what she wanted and that meant Randi had best get up and shower.
True to her word, an hour later, Randi let Cari into her apartment.
“Oh good, you’re ready.”
“Did I have a choice?” Randi frowned and turned off the TV.
“Nope.”
“How did you find out?”
Cari tilted her head and gave Randi a compassionate look. “That’s not important. Do you need a hug?”
Randi shook her head. “If you hug me right now, I’ll burst into tears.”
“We don’t want that. What have you been doing all day?”
“Doom doubting.”
“Excuse me?”
Randi halfheartedly chuckled. “It’s like doom scrolling, but you’re playing the worst things that could happen over and over in your head. Eden calls it doom doubting and she says I have a masters degree in it.”
“I see,” Cari said. “Does anything good come from it?”
Randi shook her head. “It hasn’t yet.”
“Okay, then.” Cari said. “We’re going to the brewery. Maybe a beer will give you some clarity.”
Randi reached for her purse and they left her apartment. Minutes later they were in Cari's car on the way to the bar.
“Can I ask you something?” Cari said.
“Sure. You’re going to anyway.”
Cari smirked. “What are you so afraid of?”
Randi scoffed. “There aren’t enough hours in the day to list them all.”
“I don’t believe that. What gives?”
“I don’t want to hurt Eden,” Randi said, looking out the side window. “Sooner or later I’m going to screw this up. It’s better to hurt her now then to wait until we’ve been together for a while and do it then.”
