“I’m a paying customer, Jane. Do you really want to show me the door?”

Now that the shock was starting to wear off, Jane got her wits back and asked the only question she needed an answer to. “What are you doing here?”

“Just a coincidence, I swear to you, Janey.”

“Please don’t call me that.” Jane rose, because she felt too small sitting down like that with Beth towering over her.

“I was in the neighborhood. I just went to the cinema down the street. I walked past the shop and saw there was a Jane Quinn event happening. I thought I’d stop by and say hello. It’s been a while.”

“It has been a while.” Dread settled in the pit of Jane’s stomach—because she was reminded of what she’d stood to lose because of Beth. “You caught me by surprise.”

Beth pursed her lips together. “That was kind of the idea, which, admittedly, is a little cruel on my part. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. It was like I was being dragged inside by a force outside myself. But you’re right, I probably shouldn’t be here. I never wished you any harm, Jane. Not then and not now. On the contrary.” She put the book down. “Maybe I’ll leave the last copy for someone else.”

Beth shot her a smile that seemed to break Jane’s heart all over again—or, at the very least, caused enough self-pity to well up inside her to make her feel as if it was.

But it was better this way. Even though Jane knew, deep down, there was no way Annie hadn’t witnessed this short exchange. She might be busy—selling Jane’s books—but the cash register wasn’t that far away.

“Bye,” was all Jane could say. She took a deep breath before turning around and looking her wife in the eye.

Chapter Nine

What was Beth Walsh doing in the shop? Annie was rendered speechless as well as motionless because she once again believed, if only for a split second, that she was losing Jane. By the time anger took over and she made it over to Jane, Beth was out the door.

When she stood face-to-face with Jane, in that instant of muteness before either one of them knew what to say, she was brusquely reminded of how painful it can be for a partner when someone else comes into play. Annie swore there and then she would get herself in check and stop thinking about Kristin so much. It was ridiculous, anyway. She was a fifty-seven year old woman. She wasn’t prone to crushes anymore. She was being utterly foolish.

“I’m sorry, babe. I had no idea she would turn up. I certainly didn’t invite her,” Jane rambled. “She was just walking past. You know I have nothing to do with her anymore.”