When Jane walked through the shop’s back door, the first person she saw was Mia. She was sitting at a table with her laptop and Jane took in her profile. That was the blueprint for her protagonist right there. She looked around the place. Taylor was sitting on a high stool behind the counter, reading. The only one who had looked up when she’d entered was Annie. There was one customer drinking coffee at the table closest to the front door.

“Hey, babe. Need your caffeine shot early today?” Annie flashed her a wide smile. No matter her wife’s faults, Annie always seemed so happy to clasp eyes on Jane. Even just in the middle of the day, when they’d been in the same house since they’d woken up—and had gone to sleep together the night before.

“I wanted to talk to you.” Jane couldn’t keep the urgency from her voice. “Just for a few minutes. In private, if possible.”

Annie squinted. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. I would just really like to run something by you. Do you think Mia could mind the book shop for ten minutes?”

“She’s been hunched over a spreadsheet all morning. I’m sure she would welcome a break.” Annie grinned. “I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

Jane didn’t go upstairs immediately, but watched how Annie approached Mia. Mia rolled her shoulders back and stretched her neck. She gave Jane a quick wave when she spotted her. Jane responded with a wide smile. She thought about what Mia had alluded to the other day about her and Lou having history. Jane didn’t need the details of that—that was Mia and Lou’s private business—but it did give her the idea of providing her main character with a mysterious past. A new frisson of excitement ran down her spine. She couldn’t wait to tell Annie. She cast one look at the shop, at the rows and rows of books, then headed up the stairs, preparing her pitch for Annie. Even though Jane was certain that her sheer enthusiasm would have her tripping over her words either way.

“Where’s the fire, babe?” Annie asked when she walked into the kitchen where Jane was making tea.

“In here.” Jane pointed at her belly. “I think I’m about to get my mojo back.”

Annie tilted her head. “Tell me more.” She sat down at the kitchen table.

Jane ignored the kettle with almost-boiling water. “Remember when you said having the Pink Bean in the shop might give me an idea for a story?”

Annie put her elbows on the table and glued her glance to Jane. “Yes, I think so.”