Tennie sat a little straighter and stared into Eden’s eyes. “I really like you, Eden, and I wanted us to feel those sparks. I think Cari called them romantic sparks. And at the risk of losing my new friend, I think you have feelings for someone else, so there’s no way you could feel them for me.”
It was Eden’s turn to shift in her chair and recross her legs. “You think I’m into someone else?”
Tennie nodded. “Maybe you haven’t admitted it to yourself or I imagine you’re afraid to. If you think about it, we’ve been going out for a while now and it’s usually with your work group.”
Eden groaned. “I know, but that’s why our morning coffee dates mean so much to me.”
“They mean a lot to me too.” Tennie smiled. “I’ve been able to see you alone, plus you with your friends and get to know them.”
Eden sat back and waited for Tennie to continue.
“It’s obvious to me that no one makes you smile the way Randi does.”
Eden gasped. “Because she’s my best friend!”
“I know, but the way you two look at each other and all the things you’ve been through…”
Eden gazed at Tennie and knew what she was saying was true. But what Tennie didn’t understand was that it didn’t do any good for Eden to feel this way because Randi didn’t.
“It doesn’t really matter, Tennie, because Randi doesn’t feel the same way.”
Tennie’s face lit up with surprise. “What makes you think that?”
Eden scratched the back of her neck. “There have been times when both Randi and I were single and we talked about dating each other, but we agreed we needed this friendship more thanwe needed a girlfriend.” She chuckled. “I know she hadsparks—I’ll use Cari’s word—for me at one time and I’ve had them for her, but I learned to push them down into my heart.”
“Why?”
“Because our friendship is precious. It’s special. I’ve never been this close to anyone and probably never will be. I can’t lose her.” Eden could hear the desperation in her voice and took a deep breath. “Also, because I’m not the right woman for her. We’d be happy for a while, but I’m not exciting enough for Randi Powell. She should be with someone more worldly and into fashion and culture.”
“Stop.” Tennie reached out and put her hand on Eden’s knee which had been bouncing up and down without Eden realizing it.
“You’re selling yourself short, my friend,” Tennie said. “You’re the exact woman for Randi. I saw it in her eyes the night we went dancing.”
“You did?”
Tennie nodded. “If I can ask, has anything ever happened between the two of you? I’ve seen you squeeze her arm or Randi sit shoulder to shoulder with you and it looks completely natural.”
Eden sighed. “There is a level of comfort between us because we’ve been friends for so long, but there was one night. It's been five years now.” She looked out into the yard and the memories came rushing back.
“I’d just bought this house and hosted a New Year’s Eve party. I was so excited to have all my friends over and of course, Randi helped me get ready for the party. My girlfriend at the time had gone to see her family for the holidays but was supposed to be back to bring in the new year with me. She’d made a big deal of being here with me for New Year’s and having the party at my new house. Right before the party started shetexted me that she was staying with her family and wouldn’t be back until the next day. I was so upset.”
“I’m sure you were.”
“Yeah, well, as midnight crept closer and closer I knew there would be no New Year’s kiss for me and that just added to my disappointment.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no. Randi saw me slip out here as the countdown to midnight began in the house. She followed me out here.” Eden smiled and closed her eyes. “She took my face between her hands and told me to close my eyes. She then said to think of Amy because it was her kissing me. Then she softly pressed her lips to mine in the sweetest New Year’s kiss.”
“Oh, Eden,” Tennie said softly.
Eden opened her eyes. “I know. It was so sweet. But it wasn’t Amy I was kissing, it was Randi. I can still feel her lips on mine. I can remember how my heart fell into my stomach, unleashing a kaleidoscope of butterflies. Then it began to beat so fast I could barely catch my breath. There was no way I could speak.”
“What happened?”
“We pulled apart, Randi smiled at me and softly said, ‘Happy New Year, Eden.’”
“And you’ve never forgotten it.”
