Randi looked up at Analise with surprise. “No, it wasn’t like that. I had just begun dating a woman, and Eden was investedin me finding happiness if she couldn’t.” She chuckled again and shook her head. “That was a long time ago. Eden is the best friend I’ve ever had and there’s no way I’d do anything to jeopardize our friendship.”
Analise smiled. “I get that.”
The phone next to Randi’s computer buzzed. “That’s probably Eden. She keeps calling to see if I’m awake, have questions, or need anything.” She picked up the phone and said, “No, I’m not asleep.”
“Well, that’s a good thing. I thought you might be working on your presentation for me.”
“Cari?” Randi said, raising her brows.
Cari chuckled. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“I’m so sorry!” Randi exclaimed. “I thought you were someone else.”
“Do you have a habit of falling asleep at work?” she asked in an amused voice.
Randi chuckled. “No! And don’t you worry. When I show you what Hook, Line & Reader can do for your career it will be impossible for you not to work with us.”
“Wow, that’s bold. I can’t wait to hear this pitch,” Cari said. “I was actually calling Analise. They tried her office, but she wasn’t there.”
“She’s here with me. Hold on just a moment.”
“It was nice chatting with you, Randi. Stay awake.”
Randi chuckled and covered the phone with her hand. Wide eyed, she looked at Analise.
Analise chuckled. “It’s okay.” She reached for the phone as Randi handed it to her. “Hi, Cari.”
Randi sank back into her chair, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe what just happened. That’s what she got for being a smart ass. Randi turned back to her computer, but didn’tsee the images on the screen. Wait until she tells Eden about this! She could already hear her laughing.
“Okay, we’ll see you then,” Analise said, ending the call.
“I am so sorry,” Randi said, standing up from the table.
Analise laughed. “It’s okay. She thought you were funny and can’t wait for our meeting.”
Randi exhaled a relieved breath. “That won’t happen again.”
“What? It’s okay, Randi,” Analise assured her. “Cari likes you.”
“Likes me? How do you know?”
“She just told me. She likes your enthusiasm and is looking forward to hearing your ideas at our meeting on Friday.”
Randi eased back into her chair and smiled. “Really, Analise, I will be professional on Friday. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“I want the freespirited, light hearted Randi that Cari DeWare likes.”
“Oh, you’ll get her and also the professional Randi who knows marketing and media.”
“Perfect,” Analise said. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Randi watched Analise leave the room and relaxed into her chair. “That could’ve been so bad,” she muttered. Her gaze settled on the screen and the book cover she’d been looking at when Analise came into the conference room.
Eden and Analise both had commented on her lack of enthusiasm for Eden’s prospective dates. Randi had talked Eden into doing Pitch a Friend in the first place. Of course she wanted the dates to go well and maybe Eden would find a girlfriend. So why wasn’t she more excited?
Randi sighed and thought back over their friendship. There had been a few times when neither of them had a girlfriend or were dating anyone, just like now. Analise’s question had givenRandi pause. She loved Eden and Eden loved her—as friends. Right?
She tried to shake those thoughts out of her head. Randi meant what she’d told Analise: she would never risk their friendship. It was too important to her. She couldn’t imagine Eden not in her life.
