Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
In less than ten minutes, they were walking into Hop’s Heaven.
Loud voices, laughter, and delicious smells greeted them.
Kate led the way, and Hannah followed her over to two tables that were covered with a wide array of food, from trays of sliced turkey, a pile of mini buns, and even a croquembouche for dessert.
“Last year we had a chocolate fountain, but it was filled with caramel instead of chocolate,” Kate said.
“Oh, I bet that was good.”
Kate made room on the savory table and set down the large aluminum pan. She took off the top, and the delicious smell of onions and creamy potatoes wafted out. As if they were summoned by the smell, Jax was suddenly at Kate’s side.
“Thank God, my pierogies are finally here. I’m starving.”
“You haven’t eaten yet?”
“I didn’t say that.” Jax gave Kate a quick hug, and then they turned to Hannah.
“Hannah, you look as good as those magic pockets of carbohydrates taste,” Jax said.
Kate watched a now-familiar blush spread over Hannah’s cheeks. Her heart expanded in her chest. Hannah was breathtaking and all hers. At least she hoped that could be the case.
“You’re too nice, Jax. It’s great to see you!” Hannah and Jax hugged.
“I’m not behind the bar tonight, but what can I get you two to drink?” Jax asked.
“I’ll take a pumpkin ale, if it isn’t sold out,” Kate said.
“We’re on our last barrel. How about you, Hannah?”
“I’ll go ahead and try one of those ales, unless it’s high alcohol?”
“It’s only five percent.”
Hannah pushed up her glasses. “That works. I love pumpkin-flavored anything. Except pumpkin pie. I don’t like that.”
Kate looked at Hannah as if she’d never seen her before. “You don’t like pumpkin pie?”
Hannah made an ick face.
“I’ll leave you two to discuss pies, and I won’t even make any sort of crude joke.” Jax walked away and toward the bar.
“Are you and Jax close?” Hannah asked.
Kate felt like it was out of nowhere, but because their relationship had almost only existed within the four walls of her bedroom, it made sense.
Kate laced her fingers with Hannah’s and nodded. “Jax is one of my closest friends. I came here the same day Brittany dumped me, and Jax gave me a free beer and listened to me literally cry into my beer. We’ve been tight ever since.”
“Cool, cool, cool.” Hannah said, her voice cracking a little.
“You should know that Jax thinks you’re pretty great.”
“They do?” Hannah stood straighter.
“Mm-hmm.” Kate nuzzled Hannah’s neck.
“Hey!” Hannah said.
Kate hopped back, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just I see the lady I made cry at her tarot card reading.” Hannah pointed with her chin, and Kate realized Hannah had been talking about Cathy.
“It was Cathy? She’s who you read?”
Hannah nodded. Her face was paler now, her freckles stood out in stark relief.
“It’ll be fine. Cathy’s great; let’s go say hi.” Kate pulled Hannah away from the food table toward the bar, where Cathy was standing and waiting for a drink. Hannah stood rooted to the spot.
“C’mon, it will be okay.”
“What if she’s mad at me?”
“I’m sure she isn’t.”
Cathy picked up a pint of beer and turned toward them. Kate waved with her free hand. “Hey, Cathy!”
A smile broke out on Cathy’s face. She raised her beer in a toast. Kate and Hannah walked toward Cathy, and they met in the middle of the taproom. Cathy gave Kate a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“How are you doing, hun?”
“I can’t complain. It’s the busy season, you know.”
“Oh, I know it! I’ve got to come in and pick up some presents for Munchie and Ollie.”
“I’ve got lots of great presents for my favorite customers.”
Cathy smiled, “I bet you tell everyone they are your favorite customers.”
Kate winked at Cathy. “You caught me.”
“And you’re here with,” Cathy snapped her fingers, “Maxim, right?”
Hannah smiled. “I’m surprised you remembered my reader name!”
“How could I forget my twin!”
“Twin?” Kate scrunched her brow.
“My main pen name is Maxim,” Cathy said.
“Oh right, I’ve been meaning to read one of your books for ages, but I’m holding out for when you start writing something queer,” Kate said.
Cathy sighed, “I know, I really should. I’ve been writing male/female romance for so long. Hopefully, next year I’ll finally branch out.”
“We would all support you,” Hannah said. “I’d love to read something sapphic!”
Cathy pointed above her grey locks. “Do you see this lightbulb?”
Hannah and Kate nodded, playing along.
“I think I’ve figured out that’s what the cards were trying to tell me.
Ever since Cindy passed away, I’ve pushed off the idea of writing a love story between two women because it hit too close to home.
I needed the distance writing about a romance I had zero interest in living, but this upcoming year it’s time to move forward and find love with my writing again. ”
Hannah threw her arms around Cathy. “That’s amazing, and I’m so relieved!”
Cathy tilted her head. “Why is that?”
Kate put her hand on Hannah’s back.
“I thought I did a terrible job with your reading and only made you upset.” Hannah adjusted her glasses.
“Oh, hun.” Cathy put her hand on Hannah’s forearm.
“I’m so sorry you felt like that! It was a lovely reading.
I was sad, yes. But it was a bittersweet kind of sad.
And now that I know what the cards were trying to tell me, I feel good!
Writing has become a weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying. ”
Kate watched Hannah and Cathy. Hannah was blinking fast. Kate rubbed small circles on her back.
“Well then, I see Jax is bringing over some drinks; are those for you two?” Cathy said.
Kate nodded. “Yep, do you have room at your table?”
“I’ve had a table to myself. Come join me.”
“Where are we sitting?” Jax asked as they handed Kate and Hannah their beers.
“I snagged the last booth. We are over there,” Cathy said.
The four walked over to the booth. Cathy and Hannah slid in first, facing each other, and then Jax and Kate sat down.
Kate put her hand on Hannah’s knee. She could feel Hannah’s warmth through the thin material of her pants.
She moved her hand down, closer to Hannah’s inner thigh.
Hannah made a squeak and clamped Kate’s hand between her legs.
Jax set down their beer. “I need to go pile my plate with food. Do you want to come with, Cathy?”
“I’m ready to sample all the desserts,” Cathy replied. Jax stood, and Cathy slid out next to them. She locked her arm in theirs and they walked over to the food.
Hannah and Kate looked at each other. “I hope you don’t mind sitting with Jax and Cathy tonight?” Kate asked.
“No! This is great, I’m so excited to meet your friends. I mean, I know them a little, but not in the context of them being your friends—or that they aren’t straight! Well, I knew Jax was non-binary, and now I find out Cathy had a wife. I’m feeling like I belong to a little community.”
Kate cupped Hannah’s cheek and leaned in for a kiss. Hannah kissed her back softly. Then they leaned back against the booth. “Ready for some food?” Kate asked.
“Definitely, I hardly ever drink. This beer is making me a little tipsy, I think.”
They got up and piled their plates with food.