Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Hannah had to work the next day, so instead of stopping at work and unloading her car, she drove straight home from Pupcakes and Clawssaints.
As soon as she walked in the door of her studio apartment, Smoky, her black cat, wound around her legs, meowing loudly.
“I know, Baby, you must be starving. It’s been a long day.
” Hannah dropped her bag on the small kitchen counter and pulled a can of cat food from the cabinet.
As soon as the lid on the can cracked open, Smoky ran over to his dish, impatiently waiting for dinner.
Hannah plopped the food in Smoky’s bowl and stood up.
She walked over to her refrigerator to look for something to eat.
Standing in front of the fridge, she realized she was hungry for more of Kate.
To taste her, to have Kate’s citrusy scent filling her nostrils, to touch the muscles just below her silky skin.
A flush of heat spread throughout her, overpowering the cool air coming from the refrigerator.
She pulled out a non-alcoholic pale ale, popped the tab, and guzzled half the can, desperate to cool off.
Hannah walked around the bookcase that divided the kitchen and living area from her sleeping area and plopped down on the bed.
She lay back against the cozy, burnt orange chenille bedspread and replayed Kate’s kiss in her mind.
It was the hottest kiss she’d ever experienced.
If only Kate had said yes to a date. Hannah scooched back against the Halloween-themed throw pillows propped up at her headboard.
She took a long drink from her beer and placed it on the Hop’s Heaven coaster on her nightstand.
Pulling up her fluffy throw blanket covered with black cats, she pulled out her phone and went right to the Pupcakes and Clawssaints Instagram page.
Pictures from the event taken by several of the guests had already filled the feed.
Hannah slowly scrolled, examining each picture for glimpses of Kate.
She sighed as she found a picture of Kate with a wide smile on her face, accentuating the sharp planes of her face.
Even in the picture, her green eyes lit up, and Hannah wished she knew what Kate was smiling about.
She double-tapped the picture. Kate’s smile had been coy when she’d asked Hannah to read the cards and see if they should hang out.
Hannah’s stomach clenched. She should have just done the reading.
But what if the cards said they would be a disaster?
Hannah put down the phone and went to her dresser to pull out pajamas and get ready for bed.
After she changed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth, she got back into bed.
Smoky hopped onto the bed, knowing it was bedtime, and curled up next to Hannah.
Hannah stroked her cat’s fur and thought about the evening again.
Maybe. Kate had said maybe. Hannah would give the contents of her bank account to know what Kate was going to say next.
Was she going to agree to a date after all?
Hannah closed her eyes. Had she completely misread Kate’s interest in her?
Tonight was the first time she’d kissed a woman.
Was she going about this all wrong? What would have happened if she’d said we don’t need to go on a date when Kate had questioned if Hannah was asking her out?
She should have gone on the apps and practiced before going for broke and kissing her crush tonight.
She needed more bi and lesbian friends. Frustrated and feeling foolish, Hannah drifted off to sleep.
The next day was a busy one at work. They had an afternoon private party for a group of Wiccan practitioners who’d taken the train from Chicago out to Marley Creek for a pre-Samhain celebration.
The group had wiped out the store’s supply of Smoky quartz, yellow candles, and mini cauldrons.
Hannah had reminded everyone to rate and review New Age Stones and Witch Crafts and gave them discount codes for the upcoming Yule celebration Zaina was hosting on December twenty-first. Aside from thinking about Kate’s exploration of her mouth and the hard press of Kate’s body against her soft body every five seconds, Hannah was very focused on her job.
Finally, it was time to lock the door and head home. Hannah twisted her body, cracking her back.
“I’m exhausted too,” Zaina said, stretching up to the ceiling. “We didn’t even have time to talk today about the pet psychic night. How did it go?”
“I’d say it was a success,” Hannah smiled shyly. “Can you believe I made over a hundred dollars in tips? That reminds me.” Hannah pulled out the envelope with cash payments from the readings and put it on the counter.
“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.