After she and Eden finished brunch yesterday, they’d walked around the plaza. Window shopping was something they loved to do together and would stop in the various stores to amble along the aisles. Randi was glad Eden had shown up at her apartment yesterday, even though it was a bit awkward at first. By the end of the afternoon they were back to the friendship they both valued. There was that one moment when Eden stared into Randi’s eyes and she felt like she could see into her heart. That wasn’t unusual, but Randi was afraid of what Eden might see so she looked away.
Randi’s phone started to ring in her purse. She dug around until she finally found it and smiled as she saw Cari’s face on the screen. “Good morning.”
“Hey there,” Cari said. “Who’s getting coffee this morning?”
“Uh, it’s my turn.”
“I’ll meet you there. I’m walking out the door.”
“Okay,” Randi said as the line went dead. She chuckled, grabbed her purse and satchel, then walked out the door.
Traffic was light and a few minutes later Randi walked into the coffee shop. She saw Cari standing off to the side, waiting to order. She smiled when she saw Randi and walked towards her.
“Is this a distraction?” Randi asked.
“It certainly is.” Cari chuckled. “I know Eden meets Tennie here some mornings so why not you and me this morning.”
“That sounds like a date.” Randi raised her brows. “We can’t do that.”
“We’re friends, getting coffee and going to the office.”
Randi followed Cari up to the counter and placed her order. Once they stepped aside she turned to Cari. “I didn’t think you like coffee.”
“I don’t, but Eden told me about these blended drinks with one shot of espresso that taste like a coffee milkshake. I may like coffee more than I thought.”
Randi chuckled. “Yeah, Eden likes the specialty drinks. Are you coming to the office with me?”
“Is that okay?”
“Of course it is,” Randi said. “Eden and I are planning an author event for you. We can go over our ideas and get you ready for it.”
“Great.” Cari sighed. “For some reason, knowing you and Eden are planning this takes some of my anxiety away.”
“Good.” Randi smiled. “You’ll be prepared and calm before you know it.”
Cari tilted her head. “I thought Eden was on the money side of things.”
“She is, but she has a working relationship with the owner of the book store,” Randi explained. She took a moment to study Cari. “I don’t know exactly what this thing is supposed to looklike.” She pointed between the two of them. “But I work with Eden and she’s my best friend, so I will be seeing her.”
“Of course you will, but you’ll be seeing me too.” Cari smiled.
Their names were called and they picked up their order.
“I’ll see you at the office,” Cari said, walking out the door.
Randi walked to her car and carefully put the drinks in the console. She wouldn’t call Cari a distraction, but she had a feeling they would be seeing a lot more of each other. Randi liked Cari but she wasn’t so sure about this newfound friendship. However, navigating the boundaries of their working relationship would certainly keep Randi’s mind off Eden.
When she got to the office she heard voices in Eden’s office.
“Hey,” Randi said, holding up the coffee cups.
“I heard you were on your way.” Eden smiled. “Oh, your hair looks great today.”
“Thanks.” Randi smiled. “I started to pull it back this morning but changed my mind.”
“It looks cute like that,” Eden said. “You know I like it down.”
Randi smirked.
