“Just made it,” Sheryl said, her tone casual. She strode to the counter with her typical swagger. “I rushed here after my last class.” There was no sign of Sheryl being in any physical distress—not as far as Annie could see. “I’m urgently looking for a copy of The Female Eunuch. Would you happen to have that in stock?”

“Let me check.” Annie shuffled to where her laptop was standing. She wished it was bigger and she could hide behind it better. “You should have called instead of dashed over here in such a hurry.”

Sheryl shrugged. “I figured it had been a while since I was here. I thought I’d stop by and say hello.”

While Annie was looking up the book, she could feel Sheryl’s gaze burn her skin. “I’m afraid I don’t have it in stock, but I can order it and have it here by the day after tomorrow,” Annie said.

“What a shame. I was hoping to have it for tomorrow.” Sheryl put on a weird kind of half-smile. “Are you sure there’s nothing you can do for me?”

“The best I can do is give you a used copy from my own collection. As a personal favor.” Annie was starting to feel backed into a corner.

“That’d be great,” Sheryl said, head tilted, gaze locked on Annie’s.

“Do you want to wait here or come up?” Annie asked.

“I’ll come up, if you don’t mind. That’ll give me a chance to say hi to Jane. If she’s home.”

“Sure.” Annie tried to sound casual. “Let me just lock up.”

Annie took her time walking to the door and closing the shop so she could gather her thoughts. Maybe this was all in her head. Maybe Sheryl’s sudden appearance was completely innocent. She thought it best to behave as though it was, although she would keep her guard up.

She guided Sheryl up the stairs. It was the first time she’d invited her into their private quarters, since that reciprocal dinner party had never happened—for obvious reasons. Although those reasons might not be so obvious to Sheryl.

Sheryl looked around while Annie busied herself searching for the book. Annie could never predict whether Jane would venture out of her office or not when she heard other people in the flat. That would depend on her mood—which hadn’t been great lately. And on whether she was wearing a bra or not.

“I could have sworn it was here,” Annie said. She wasn’t sure if she should offer Sheryl a drink and invite her to sit. It would be weird if she didn’t. “Please, have a seat.” She glanced at Sheryl as she made her way to the couch, sat down, and slung one leg over the other. “Actually, I think the book might be in Jane’s office. I’ll be right back.”