“How lovely.” Why had Mia not mentioned this to Annie? Or maybe she had and Annie had forgotten it because when she’d been told she’d still been on a high from chatting to Kristin.

“It’s wonderful for them, but it made me realize I need to hire more baristas pronto. Sheryl is going to fish in her pool of students first thing on Monday.” Kristin made her way behind the coffee counter. “How is Taylor working out from your point of view?”

“Great. No complaints.”

“That’s good. Now that this place is up and running, it’s time to add to the work force. Not that I mind spending my Saturday alongside you, of course.” Kristin grinned.

Instantly, Annie’s cheeks flushed. Was Kristin flirting with her? Did she really have no clue about Annie’s feelings? Or was she mocking her? This was going to be an excruciating day on many levels. The lack of sleep was already starting to catch up with her, because she had no witty repartee at the ready to respond to Kristin. Only a sheepish smile that made her feel even more silly.

“I need to run upstairs for a second. I’ll be right back.” It was like sitting on a ticking time bomb. Annie couldn’t stop imagining Jane wandering down the stairs and seeing her and Kristin in the shop together. Even though there was a perfectly rational explanation for it and Kristin had every right to be in her own coffee shop, the visuals wouldn’t look right. And Jane must be spared the image at all costs.

When she arrived upstairs, Jane was still sleeping. Annie didn’t want to wake her, but she convinced herself Jane would want to be woken up for this.

“Babe.” She wasn’t sure how Jane would react if she kissed her awake, so Annie just shook her shoulder gently. “Wake up.”

Jane opened her eyes slowly.

Annie left her hand on Jane’s shoulder, welcoming the warm comfort of her wife’s skin on hers.

“What’s going on?” Jane asked.

“I had no idea, but Kristin is running the Pink Bean today. Mia has the day off.”

“Oh.” Jane sat up a bit straighter, shaking Annie’s hand off.

“I just thought you’d like to know.”

“Hm.”

“I need to get back downstairs. Did you get some sleep?”

“A little. You?”

“Same.” Annie couldn’t resist putting a hand back on Jane’s shoulder. She needed the contact as though it could articulate something she couldn’t say in words. She gave Jane’s shoulder a squeeze. “I have to go.”

“Okay.” Jane just lay there.

Annie remained standing there for a few moments longer, the silence between them growing heavier. The last words about this whole ordeal had obviously not yet been spoken.