Annie ran a hand through Jane’s hair again. Maybe she just needed a little more persuasion. She also wondered when Jane was going to let her read the next chapter in her work in progress. Annie hadn’t seen anything new from her in about a week. She knew better than to push Jane on the matter, because sometimes it just took a little longer and Jane would come to her with a new chapter when she was good and ready. But Annie felt like pushing tonight. Maybe because Jane was brushing her off. Or because seeing Beth had riled her up more than she believed. Or because it was as though Annie could still feel that hug Kristin had given her before she’d left the book shop earlier.

“Will I get a new chapter to read tomorrow then?”

“I don’t know.” Jane pushed herself away from Annie. “I’ll do my best.” There was such defeat in her voice, Annie instantly regretted having asked the question.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She pulled Jane close again.

“It’s been a bit of a crazy night. That’s all.” Jane didn’t sink into her embrace the way she had before. “Let’s go to sleep, please.”

“Sure.” Annie let go, knowing she’d lie awake for a long time.

Chapter Ten

The next Thursday, Annie went swimming leaving Jane to mind the shop for a few hours. Jane couldn’t help but flinch every time someone walked in, in case Beth decided to make an appearance again.

Annie hadn’t said anything more about it, for which Jane was glad. Perhaps they had truly put it behind them. Enough time had passed. But after the initial shame of having to relive the attraction she had felt toward Beth back then and its consequences—the pain she’d caused her wife and the stress she’d put their relationship under—another sentiment had burrowed its way forward.

During the seven years since she’d kissed Beth and all hell had broken loose, she had missed her. Because Beth hadn’t just been a woman who had crossed her path one day to whom Jane had been undeniably attracted. Beth had been her friend for two years prior, and Jane wasn’t the kind to make friends easily. Beth’s absence had left a hole in her life. A hole she’d been dreading to fill, because what if it happened again? What if she got so close to another woman that the same kind of attraction took hold of her all over again?

“Jane,” Mia shouted from the other end of the shop. “It’s three o’clock.” She tapped her watch, then pointed at the table. “Look what I have.”