“Oh! Aunt Cari for the win!” Randi exclaimed.
Cari laughed. “You know it.”
They finished their drinks and Analise paid, declaring it a business celebration. As they said goodnight and left the bar Eden touched Randi’s elbow. “Tennie is going to give me a ride home.”
“Oh, okay.” Randi smiled.
“I’m going to stop at the restroom on the way out,” Tennie said.
“I’ll wait for you at the door,” Eden replied.
Randi walked to the front of the bar with Eden and stopped to wait with her.
“Thanks for helping with the author event today,” Randi said. “I know it’s not in your job description, but it meant a lot to me.”
Eden tilted her head. “Of course I’m going to be there for you. Plus, I like that bookstore and Ginger. They are good partners for HLR.”
Randi nodded and gazed at Eden for a moment.
“Honestly, I love to watch you charm others,” Eden said softly.
Randi raised her brows. “Oh yeah? Others? Does that mean I can’t still charm you?”
Eden chuckled. “You can always charm me. You’ve been doing it for years.”
Randi smiled and held Eden’s gaze. Something softened in Eden’s eyes and Randi felt a flutter in her stomach. “What if we were wrong all those years ago?” she whispered.
Eden swallowed and clenched her jaw.
“Sorry for the wait,” Tennie said, walking up.
Randi took a step back as the moment passed.
“No problem,” Eden said.
“Hey, I apologize for Cari’s questions about dates and such,” Randi said, opening the door for them to leave. “It made me uncomfortable and I hope it didn’t offend you.”
“You don’t have to apologize for Cari,” Tennie replied. “It was a little awkward, but we were all there the night of the pitch a friend event. Well, except for Paige, but I’m sure she knows all about it.”
“Yeah, I don’t know what was going on with Cari.” Eden shrugged.
“Maybe it was the author event,” Randi said. “She talked to a lot of people.”
“It’s okay.” Tennie smiled.
“Good,” Randi said. “We have Six Flags to look forward to.”
“I think it will be fun,” Tennie said.
“We can only hope.” Eden chuckled. “See you at brunch tomorrow?”
Randi nodded. “Have a nice night.”
She walked to her car, releasing a shaky breath. Her body was trembling like she’d just run a sprint. She couldn’t keep from thinking about what she’d whispered while staring into Eden's eyes. Thank goodness it didn’t appear that Eden had heard her.
She had no idea what would happen at brunch tomorrow. Randi groaned as she pulled into her parking space at the apartment.
Once inside her apartment Randi kicked off her shoes and started undressing on the way to her bedroom. She threw her clothes on a chair in the corner and reached for her favorite pair of shorts and comfy T-shirt.
