“What do you mean work? You just landed us a popular up and coming sapphic author.”
“I know marketing and I’m good at it, but I’ve never marketed books. I still have a lot to learn. Cari will be in on Monday expecting a rundown of how we’re going to get her more readers.” Randi sighed. “I still can’t get over how important these tropes are.”
“What do you mean? You read all the time. You know all about tropes.”
“Not really,” Randi replied. “I just read. I don’t pay attention to the tropes.”
“Yes you do. You like some books better than others or the premise behind them and that’s like a trope.” Eden looked over at Randi and was surprised to see doubt in her best friend’s usual confident demeanor.
“Yes, but I didn’t realize how some are more popular than others and how important they are in marketing."
“Yes you do,” Eden said again. “You certainly singled out the friends to lovers trope in Cari’s latest release.”
“That’s because I could see you and me in the characters,” Randi said. “They did the things we do. It seemed very…familiar.”
Eden smiled at Randi and chuckled as she pulled into the driveway. “Yeah, there were several things in that book that we’ve done, but we’re not in love with each other.”
Randi stopped the car and quickly opened her door. Eden looked over just in time to see her get out. Eden opened her door, got out and followed Randi to her front door. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Randi was trying to get away from her.
“Hey, slow down.” Eden unlocked the front door and held it open for Randi. “You’ve never had a crush on me, have you?”
Randi coughed and hurried through the door.
Eden noticed how Randi couldn’t look her in the eye and instead walked directly into the living room.
“Hey, Letty,” Randi said, looking around the room for the cat.
“Randi?” Eden said.
“What?”
“Look at me,” Eden said. She waited until Randi finally turned towards her. “Have you ever had a crush on me?”
Randi sighed. “It was a long time ago.”
Eden looked at her, surprised.
“Way back when, I may have had a little crush on you.” Randi held up her hand and pinched her index finger and thumb almost together. “But you were dating someone else.”
“Hmm,” Eden murmured.
“Have you…” Randi started then stopped, holding up both hands. “No, I don’t want to know. The disappointment would be too much and I’d look like a fool.”
Eden smiled, caught Randi’s gaze, and made her look at her. “I don’t know if I’d call it a crush, but I’ve said it more than once. I want to find someone like you.” She lifted a shoulder. “If we’re talking about our dream girl, yeah, I’d want her to be like you.”
Randi smiled and didn’t look away.
Letty chose that moment to prance into the living room, meowing loudly for all to hear.
“There’s my girl,” Eden said, reaching down to scoop the cat into her arms. “Look who’s here. It’s our favorite.”
Randi laughed and scratched behind the cat’s ears. “Your favorite what? Traitor!” she said with a bad Scottish accent.
Eden laughed. She wasn’t sure why Randi had seemed so uncomfortable moments ago, but was glad it seemed to have passed.
“Let’s get comfy,” Eden said. “You have a pair of sweats in the dresser in the guest room. I’ll change and make popcorn.”
Randi grinned. “It's a perfect date night.”
