Mia’s eyes grew wide. She shook her head. Then she must have realized Annie was pulling her leg, because a grin broke on her face. “Shall I call Kristin?” she said, getting Annie right back.

Annie poured Jane an extra large glass of wine. She held hers up and waited for Jane to do the same. “To you,” she said. “And a brand new successful series.”

Jane shook her head. “I wish you wouldn’t say things like that. I’ve barely started.” Despite her words, she had a smile on her face.

Annie had to address Kristin’s question sooner rather than later. She wasn’t sure whether she should get it out of the way before dinner or wait until after. It was hard to gauge Jane’s current feelings toward the situation. But she did seem in a good mood. She waited until they were halfway through their meal.

“Mia was talking about Caitlin and Josephine’s book launch,” Annie started. Saying Kristin’s name was harder than she’d anticipated. Not because she was still lusting after her, but because of what it stood for in her and Jane’s relationship. All the more reason to address it now. They had tied up the future of their shop with Kristin’s coffee shop. They had to get past this and there was simply no other way but right through. Annie cleared her throat. “Apparently Kristin would like to come by to discuss some ideas.”

“Okay,” Jane said.

“Yeah?” Annie instinctively reached for her glass of wine. She’d much rather reach for her wife’s hand, but didn’t know if that would be appropriate for the moment.

“Of course. The woman has been banned from her own shop for long enough.” Jane put her knife and fork down. “What was I even thinking asking that of her?” She rolled her eyes. “And what must she think of us for doing so?”

“She was just trying to be… helpful, I guess.”

Jane let her gaze rest on Annie. “I’m okay with it. Are you?”

Annie sunk her teeth into her bottom lip. “I am.”

“Case closed, then.”

Annie tried to read her wife. Did she really mean it or was there some of that old passive-aggressiveness in her tone?

Annie pushed her plate away. No more food would make it to her stomach tonight. “I know I hurt you, babe. Sometimes we hurt the ones we love the most. I don’t know why.”