“It’s free with your purchase.” Jax grinned and rubbed the spot she’d punched.
“Sorry about that, I don’t know what came over me.”
“I have some thoughts, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear them.”
Kate held up her hand. “I definitely do not.”
“If you change your mind about things, you should invite Hannah to Friendsgiving.”
“I wasn’t planning on bringing anyone or anything besides whatever I buy pre-made. But thanks for mentioning that.”
Jax put their hands in the front pockets of their black jeans. “I don’t think Ellie is going to make it this year. She’s been talking about wanting to spend time with her family.”
“But Friendsgiving is way before actual Thanksgiving. She can miss work like that?”
“She’s been working remote since last fall, remember?”
“I totally forgot, but still?”
“Maybe time apart will help things between us.”
“Or completely wreck it.”
Jax started to run a hand through their hair and then stopped when they hit the braid. “Either way, we’d have clarity, and I think that’s what we need.”
“I’m sorry,” Kate said.
“It’s okay. Nothing lasts forever.”
“At least she isn’t cheating on you.”
“As far as I know,” Jax said, deflated.
“On that depressing note, I’d better get going.” She put a twenty on the bar top to cover her beer.
Jax walked away to get her change. When they returned, they placed it on the bar. “Just because my relationship is crappy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t date Hannah.”
She pocketed some of the change and left the rest for a tip. Kate didn’t say anything. She was still mulling over her possessive response to Jax earlier. “You’re right,” she said to stop the conversation. Kate picked up her carryout bag and stood up. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“I hope I didn’t upset you. You know I love you.”
Kate gave a half smile. “I’m not upset. And I love you too.”
“Think about inviting Hannah; I’d love to see her.” Jax said.
Kate just nodded uncommitted, left the taproom and went home.
It wasn’t long before she was nestled in bed, alone again. She was tempted to text Hannah, but the carbs and the pumpkin ale pulled her into sleep before she could.
Chapter Fifteen
After the late afternoon class on Wednesday, Zaina left to go home, leaving Hannah to finish out the day and close up the shop. In a few days, the time would change, and night would come an hour earlier. Once Zaina left, Hannah stepped outside the shop door to enjoy a few minutes of the waning daylight and the crisp fall air. Refreshed, she went back inside to review online orders.
The sun had set, and all the streetlamps were lit. Soon they would be wrapped with evergreens and the street that ran next to the train station would be shut down. Small wooden huts would be set up for the Mistletoe Market. Excitement coursed through her; this was going to be the first time New Age Stones and Witch Crafts had a hut at the annual event that brought people out from Chicago in droves for the European-style Christmas Market.
As part of the store’s Halloween decorations, Zaina had put out a mat at the front door, and when anyone walked into thestore and stepped on the mat, a witch cackled. Since it had been there for over a month at this point, Hannah barely registered the cackle anymore. And if she’d been thinking about it, she would have put it away days ago.
The swooshing of the door opening followed by a loud cackle brought Hannah out of her mulled wine and candied almonds daydream. She looked up. A plump older woman with glasses hanging off beaded chains walked into the store. The woman looked familiar to Hannah, but she couldn’t place her at the moment. The woman had grey hair that hit her shoulders and was wearing a thick burnt orange coat. Hannah liked to give people a few minutes to wander around the store before she approached them to see if they needed help. Hannah closed out of the store’s e-commerce site and straightened a display of incense cones that were next to the POS.
