Annie could do with Jane by her side right about then, but she was probably still hemming and hawing in front of the mirror.

“How are Caitlin and Jo doing?” Kristin asked Sheryl. “Ready for their big night?”

Annie could—metaphorically—kiss Kristin in that moment for trying to take away some of the discomfort. She thought it better not to ask herself whether she still had any desire left to kiss her for real. It didn’t matter. It was in the past. And here they stood, the three of them—and soon enough their joint shop filled with people surrounding them. Not quite friends yet, but much more than strangers. These women who had come into Annie’s life—into her and Jane’s lives—and had ruffled some feathers, but in the end, it was still her and Jane who were at the heart of this place. Annie and Jane, the two of them united long before any of this had begun, and for a long time to come.

Chapter Thirty-Two

As far as parties went, this was an easy one for Jane to handle. The spotlight wasn’t on her. She had work to do—if the sales of the launch party were anything to go by, Caitlin and Jo would have a bestseller on their hands—and friendly faces to talk to when she needed a break.

Both Caitlin and Jo had read from the book. Jane had been mostly surprised by Jo’s part. She had noticed in Jo some of the same unease she herself experienced at reading something out loud that she had written in private, those innermost thoughts that were not really meant to ever be spoken out loud. But the candor and vulnerability in Jo’s text—as opposed to Caitlin’s bravado and bold style—had really captured the audience. And Jane. The few songs that Jo sang afterward had only made Jane realize more that Josephine Greenwood was the real star of the evening—or perhaps strengthened her belief that Jo was much more likeable than Caitlin. Caitlin might have experience, and be at the helm of her own TV show in a few months, but Josephine emanated the sort of integrity no amount of experience, let alone celebrity, could buy—Jane believed it would only take away from it.

“Best get my hands on a signed first edition as well.” Lou appeared in front of the cash register. “It might be worth a lot in a few decades.” She flashed Jane a smile.

“I’ll take care of it.” Annie made her way back behind the counter. “Take a break, babe.” She kissed Jane on the cheek. “My turn.”