“Hi, what have I missed?” Tennie asked. “I wanted to get here sooner.”
“Hey there,” Analise said with a bright smile.
Eden saw how Analise’s face lit up at Tennie and hoped she’d forget about their conversation. Had she really just describedherself as the perfect girlfriend for Randi? She’d have to think about that later.
“Hi, Tennie. You’re right on time,” Eden said with a smile. “I’m sure we can get you a few freebies. Randi’s been passing them out all afternoon.”
“It looks like a good turnout,” Tennie commented.
“It’s been great,” Analise said.
“Let’s go say hi to Cari and I’ll introduce you to her sister,” Eden said.
Randi nodded at Tennie as they walked up to the table.
“Hey!” Cari said. “It’s nice to see you. Thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Tennie grinned. “Don’t let me stop you. I’ll be here until you're finished.”
“Tennie, this is Cari’s sister, Paige,” Eden said.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Tennie said, shaking her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Paige replied. “Cari has spoken of you.”
“Oh!” Tennie said, surprised.
“Something about coffee dates?” Paige asked.
“That’s right. Tennie and I meet before work sometimes at our favorite coffee shop. I think Cari has been there with Randi several times and ran into you.”
Tennie chuckled. “The coffee shop is the place to be.”
“Hey, Cari and I want to go out for a drink when she gets finished here,” Paige said. “Can y’all join us?”
“Of course,” Analise said. “We have to celebrate.”
“Tennie?” Paige asked. “Do you drink more than coffee?”
“Yes, I’d love to come along.”
“I’ll tell Randi,” Eden said. “She’ll know where we should go.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Randi put the remaining bookmarks, stickers, and pens in a box she was leaving with Ginger. Even though the event was over Ginger could give these extras to customers who bought any of Cari’s books.
“You were amazing, as usual. Congrats on your first successful author signing,” Eden said, walking up and standing next to Randi with a big smile on her face.
Randi bumped her shoulder against Eden’s and grinned. “You were right.” She swept her arm through the air. “Once I got here and found my sweet spot, everything went great.”
“Your sweet spot?” Eden chuckled. “I thought you were in your zone.” She made air quotes with her fingers.
“What about me!” Cari exclaimed.
Randi put her arm around Cari’s shoulders and squeezed. “It’s all about you! Your amazing literary talent is what brought us all here.”
“That’s a little over the top.” Cari laughed. “Thanks to the two of you, this really was a lot of fun. Just as you said, once I started talking to a few readers it felt easy. I even got to discuss a coupleof plot points which made two very serious readers like the book even more. I think they may have become super fans.”
