“Doesn’t it get lonely? Having to do everything yourself and having only yourself to rely on?” Sheryl asked. “I’d go crazy if I couldn’t go out and teach and meet with my students or just simply be at the university. Having to write a paper, which is a big part of my job, drives me mad most of the time.”

“I can attest to that,” Kristin said.

Annie had had her fair share of wine as well and it was as though, with every sip, Kristin became even more appealing. Those dark, dark eyes. Her well-sculpted hair, which still looked exactly the same as when they’d arrived, even though she had presented them all with a feast. But even more than that, the way she talked. When she made a quip about Sheryl, you could hear the love for her partner in her words. The admiration she had for the woman she’d been with for so long. Annie couldn’t help a pang of jealousy cropping up the next time she looked Sheryl in the eye.

“I think it’s fairly common knowledge that I don’t like people very much, so no, I don’t get lonely. As long as I get to see people socially. Friends, I mean. Not just anyone.” Jane raised her glass. “To new friends.”

If only she knew. Annie joined her wife in a toast to Sheryl and Kristin and their budding friendship.

“And successful business alliances,” Kristin said.

“Not so much for me, sadly,” Sheryl said. “Now that you’ve had a few, Jane. Are you sure I can’t persuade you to do that lecture, after all?”

Annie couldn’t quite believe how easily Sheryl joked about Jane being under the influence.

Jane slanted her neck. “I’m sorry. No amount of alcohol is enough to make me do that.”

Annie, who was sitting across from Kristin, glanced at the Pink Bean owner while her wife and Sheryl continued their banter. Kristin held up her glass and Annie gladly clinked hers against it again.

“Thank you so much for this meal and for everything you’ve done for the book shop.”

“You make it sound like charity,” Kristin said in her business-like voice, snapping Annie out of her reverie once again. All that wine would soon make her believe Kristin had chosen her book shop for a second Pink Bean branch simply because it was Annie’s. “It was a business decision.”

“But still.” Annie tried the smile of which Jane had told her many times that it made her look irresistible.

Just then, Jane looked at her and, after a beat of silence, said, “I wouldn’t be the writer I am today if it weren’t for Annie and her belief in me.”