While Mia prepared coffees for the men, Jane wondered how well they knew Sheryl and Kristin—and who Kristin might have told about Annie.

“I won’t be watching the Caitlin James show, that’s for sure,” Jane said before popping a piece of spring roll into her mouth. Sunday nights were like Friday nights to them and they usually got a takeout.

“She is entertaining to watch.” Annie looked as though she had caught up on some sleep.

“She’s a show pony who is too up in other people’s business.”

“I agree that she’s forward, but you can’t accuse her of being all style and no substance.”

Jane shrugged. “There’s just something about her I don’t like.” Jane figured she was complaining about Caitlin because she wasn’t ready to address the issues between her and her wife just yet. “And what’s with all the non-monogamy stuff? I can sort of grasp the concept, but how does it even work on a practical level? Do you think she asks Josephine to come home late on certain nights of the week?”

Annie put down her fork and regarded Jane intensely. “You seem a bit worked up.”

“I guess I am.” The greasy Chinese grub wasn’t going down too well with Jane and she shoved her plate to the side. “I know adding the Pink Bean to the shop has been good for business, but sometimes I kind of miss when it was just us.”

Annie pulled her lips into a soft smile. “Me too, babe. Although it’s such a relief to have a bit more liveliness in the shop. To sit behind that counter for all those hours without seeing a living soul some days was very disheartening.”

“Of course, I just… sometimes think…” Jane didn’t quite know how to put her sentiments into spoken words. No matter how eloquent she was in her writing, it never translated to the same degree of ease in speaking. “I think it may have disturbed my balance more than I thought it would. Even though that seems kind of crazy, because my office is up here and the shop is downstairs and I should be able to block it out easily. Yet, it hasn’t been so easy for me. I think it may have contributed to throwing that book in the trash.”

“That’s only normal. It has been a big change.”

“Tell me about it…” Jane leaned back.

Annie sat up a little straighter. “Maybe there’s a story in there somewhere. All these new people who come into the shop, the different dynamics, newly forged relationships… It’s a great backdrop for some drama.”