Eden looked over at Tennie and smiled, shaking her head.
“All these years you’ve been pressing those feelings down in your heart,” Tennie said. “What if you let yourself feel them?”
“Why would I do that to myself? If Randi felt the same way, why would she convince me to do that Pitch a Friend event?”
“You said it yourself,” Tennie replied. “Her favorite thing is making you happy.” She paused. “Why did you want to find a girlfriend?”
“I want someone I can share my life with,” Eden said. “Yes, I share my life with Randi and my friends, but I want more.” Sheblinked a few times then stared at Tennie. “Come to think of it, neither Randi or I have had a serious girlfriend for longer than a few months since we shared that New Year’s kiss.”
“I’m not surprised,” Tennie said. “You’re both afraid to let yourselves love each other.”
“Because we don’t want to lose each other!” Eden exclaimed.
“Have you ever thought about what you’d gain instead of what you’d lose? Imagine the happiness you two could share if you’d let yourselves.”
Eden widened her eyes and sat back in her chair.
“I know this is a lot,” Tennie said. “But I have to ask you. Are you mad at me? Are we still friends?”
Eden chuckled. “My God, Tennie! Of course we’re friends. How did you figure all of this out in a few weeks?”
Tennie laughed. “If you were sitting where I am, you’d see it wasn’t that hard. You and Randi don’t even realize how bad you have it for each other.”
Eden stared at Tennie in disbelief. Was this really happening? One corner of her mouth twitched with a hint of a smile. Randi wanted to be with her?
“Think about your other dates,” Tennie said. “You danced the salsa with Gabi. That should’ve created a spark or two.”
Eden shook her head.
“Yeah, because you’d rather be doing the two-step with Randi.” Tennie smiled. “What about your date with Kelly? You went to listen to music, but you asked Randi to be there and she invited Cari.”
“Yes, I wanted Randi there because?—”
Tennie stared at Eden and smirked.
“Because I wanted Randi there,” Eden muttered.
“Exactly. You wanted her there,” Tennie said. “You’re doing these things and you don’t even realize it, but your heart knows.”She gave Eden a compassionate smile. “Your heart is full of Randi.”
Eden sighed. Maybe Tennie was right. She knew her heart and she did love Randi. Eden didn’t know how long she’d been pushing her feelings for Randi aside, but it would all be different if Randi was doing the same thing.
“What am I supposed to do?” Eden said, sounding defeated.
“Talk to her,” Tennie stated.
“Oh, I don’t know if I can do that. We agreed. If anything, Randi would be the one to blurt out her feelings, but she hasn’t.”
“Could it be because she’s scared too? Or because of how much she respects and loves you?”
Eden groaned in frustration. “How did this happen? And how did you see it so clearly!”
Tennie chuckled. “It all began the night of the pitch.”
“Really?”
Tennie nodded. “As I got to know you and spent more time with you it became obvious to me.”
“How long have you wanted to say something?”
