Annie sighed. “No, of course not, but maybe it would be better to not volunteer on the same day.” Annie tried on a smile. “I’m sorry about all of this. I would very much like for the ground to swallow me whole right now.”

“There’s no need to apologize. We’re all human. These things happen all the time. It’s how you deal with them that’s important.” Kristin glanced at her with such compassion and kindness in her eyes. “Sharing this with me must have been very hard for you. It takes character to stand up for your relationship like this. I’m sure that, in time, Jane will see it that way as well.”

“Thank you for being so understanding.” Annie wasn’t so sure Jane would be as understanding. Annie had acted very much against her explicit wishes and it would take a lot to make her understand that the reason she had told Kristin was not to ascertain whether her feelings were mutual. It was to put a stop to them. “I would appreciate if this didn’t go any further.”

“You can count on me.” Kristin smiled—and looked gorgeous in the process. “After all, it’s in my best interest to keep my landladies happy.”

“This won’t affect our business. And please don’t feel as though I’m banning you from the shop. You have every right to be here. I feel a fool for even asking you to keep your distance. But I don’t know what else to do.”

“Don’t feel too bad, Annie. It’s just a crush. I have them all the time.”

“You do?” A pang of something Annie was afraid to identify shuddered through her.

“Of course. Don’t we all? I’ve learned to enjoy them—and truth be told, I tend to have my crushes on women I don’t know personally. Movie stars and the unavailable. It makes things so much easier.” Kristin shrugged. “It’s all very innocent. And so is this.”

Annie wasn’t certain her crush on Kristin was so innocent, but she was happy to go along with the sentiment for now.

“So, what do you want me to do about the rest of the day? I should be able to find someone to take over from me for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Stay,” Annie said. If she wasn’t going to see Kristin, who she had also started valuing as a friend, for a good long while, she wanted to enjoy her company for a few more hours.

Chapter Twenty