“Perfect, I’ll add this to the bank deposit, and then I can send the money over to the shelter.”
“I’m sure you did a great job, and look, you raised enough money for a cat to get fixed.”
“I was happy to help; I almost feel like I should donate my tips as well.”
Zaina held up her hand. “Stop. You deserve to be compensated for your time and effort. I know that readings can take a lot of mental energy.”
“But it was just for fun—for the pets.”
“Still, I know you, and I know you probably exhausted yourself. I can see the circles under your eyes. I bet you forgot to eat last night too.” Zaina was ten years older than Hannah, but she often approached her only full-time employee like a mother hen worrying over her brood.
“I ate. There were snacks—people food, I mean.”
Zaina pursed her lips. “Maybe you’re coming down with a cold. I’m not sure what it is, but your energy is just off. What’s going on?”
Hannah sighed; she wasn’t sure if Zaina would understand. Then again, unlike her best friends Brandee and Mable, Zaina was bi. “I could use some advice.”
“I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
“Are you sure you want to listen to my girl problems? I’m sure that you’d rather go home to Jasper and Lily.”
Zaina’s eyes sparkled, “Did you say girl problems? Oh, I am definitely here for that. Lily is with the sitter, and Jasper is working at Hop’s Heaven. I have time.”
“Okay, so what happened was,” she began, and went through her time with Kate. Zaina asked questions as Hannah related the events.
“What do you think? Is there some sort of lesbian dating protocol I messed up?”
“Not that I know of, though, to be fair, it’s been about three years since I was out there dating. Could she be involved with someone else?”
Hannah felt the blood drain from her face. “Oh God, I hope not. I’d feel terrible. I shouldn’t have kissed her.”
“But you did, and then as you said, she kissed your face off.”
Just thinking about their kiss made Hannah’s pulse speed up. “The energy between us was electric. I know I’m not misinterpreting the night. She wanted me, maybe even as much as I wanted her.”
“Man, I wish I had better advice for you. I don’t know why she would kiss you like that and then not even want to go out for one drink.”
“Has anything like that ever happened to you?”
Zaina’s big brown eyes were downcast. “No, I can’t say it has. But I had my share of bad dates—and I’ve been ghosted more than once.” She looked back up at Hannah. “It’s not you. You are kind, giving, and you always see the good in people—even when I don’t think they deserve it. If Kate doesn’t see that, you’re better off—truly!”
“I’m just confused and bummed. I don’t think it helps that I’ve had a crush on her for like a year now.”
“Maybe she’ll come around, realize she made a mistake, and ask you out. You never know. Do you want to ask the cards anything? I could give you a reading?”
“That’s okay, Zaina. I’ll take a pass. I know I’ll just overthink whether the reading is good or bad.”
“Well, remember, there isn’t really such a thing as a bad reading, and nothing is set in stone.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll just go home and take a nice bubble bath.”
“That sounds amazing. Go ahead and take off. I’ll finish locking up.”
Hannah left work glad she’d talked to Zaina, even though it hadn’t led to any answers.
Chapter Six
Kate was lying on her bed, staring at Hannah’s business card. She’d tried all day to forget about their kiss and the way Hannah had tasted and the soft feel of her hair in Kate’s grip. She’d already tried to slake her thirst with her favorite toy, but it was no use. Kate couldn’t stop thinking about Hannah. Was it because she’d turned her down for a date? Kate was having a very hard time remembering why she hadn’t said yes to going for a drink. What could it hurt? They didn’t need to move in together. It could just be some fun. Didn’t she deserve some fun—even if she had a sneaking suspicion that Hannah was bi and she’d sworn off dating bi women since the day she’d found out Brittany was cheating on her with her old boyfriend, Zack.
