Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-two
The best meal she’d had all year was sitting like a rock in her stomach. Kate couldn’t stop thinking about Jax and Ellie’s breakup. “I’m going to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back. Does anyone need anything?” All three of them shook their heads no.
Kate got up and slowly made her way to the bathroom.
Once she was in the stall, she pulled out her phone and went to Ellie’s social media.
She scrolled through Ellie’s posts looking for Jax.
It wasn’t until she got to a post from April that there was a picture showing Jax and her.
Kate sighed. She should unfollow Ellie; she didn’t want to know when Ellie started dating someone else.
She got up and went to the sink to wash her hands.
Inhaling a huge breath, she held it for ten seconds and then she let it out.
Every part of Kate was telling her this was silly, and some of her agreed.
But her mind couldn’t stop thinking about the breakup.
Kate had been certain that Jax and Ellie were going to be together when they were in their eighties.
She was struggling to let go of her sadness.
It was obviously an overreaction to be so upset about someone else’s relationship.
When had she become so invested in Jax’s relationship?
Just when she was starting to get closer to Hannah, this had to happen.
Now she was questioning everything. She took a paper towel and patted a little water on her flushed face.
After cooling off, she walked back to the table and sat down next to Hannah.
Hannah reached down and laced her hand with Kate’s.
Kate looked down at their hands, Hannah’s slim fingers and her pale, freckled skin entwined with her darker, older hand.
Should she move forward and see where they would go?
Or should she pull back? Hannah caressed Kate’s palm with her thumb.
Kate’s stress level lowered with the relaxing movement.
“What’s everyone doing next Thursday?” Cathy asked.
“I’ll be here from noon to four, working the beer window,” Jax said.
“You’re open on Thanksgiving?” Hannah asked.
“The taproom is closed, but we sell cans and growlers. Jasper pays me overtime, and I get to keep all the tips, so it’s a good deal, especially since I no longer have to go to Ellie’s family’s house.”
“You never got along with her family, did you?” Kate said.
“I always got the feeling her dad was choking on using they/them with me.”
“That’s so messed up!” Hannah said.
Jax gave a slight smile. “It was, but I don’t have to worry about that now.”
“How about you, Kate?”
“Heading over to my parents’ house right after work on Wednesday.
I’m sure my mom will put me to work as soon as I get there.
Then we have our big family dinner on Thursday afternoon, leftovers, and game night later.
I’ll have to get up by five a.m. to drive home and open the shop early for Black Friday, then head over to the Mistletoe Market.
It’s going to be hectic, but I love it.” Talking about Thanksgiving brought forth so many great memories.
No matter what happened with her love life, or lack thereof, she always had the soft landing of her family.
“That sounds like a picture-perfect holiday,” Cathy said.
“It really is.” Kate nodded along.
“And Hannah?”
Kate turned her head to look at Hannah. She didn’t know what plans Hannah had, but she assumed she was probably going to go home, the same as her, or maybe even spend the day with Zaina’s family. They were close enough that it made sense.
Hannah pushed her glasses up on her face. “Ah, well, I’ll probably be at home with my cat Smoky, and we’ll decorate my place for Christmas in the afternoon.”
Cathy’s brows furrowed. She looked at Kate.
Kate wasn’t sure exactly what Cathy’s look was saying. Did she think Kate should invite Hannah to her family Thanksgiving? That was a bit much. She had brought Hannah tonight to meet some of her friends. That was enough for now, wasn’t it?
An awkward pause covered the group. Around them, the crowd had thinned as it was now after ten p.m. and Hop’s Heaven closed at eleven.
Jax cleared their throat. “What are your plans, Cathy?”
“I’m heading into the city to have Thanksgiving with my sister’s family. They’ve been begging me to join them for a Turkey Trot, and this year I gave in.”
“You’re going to run a 5K?” Kate blurted out.
“Don’t look so shocked. Just because I’m in my sixties doesn’t mean I can’t run.”
“I’m just surprised. I didn’t know you were a runner.”
Cathy laughed. “I’m messing with you. I’m only going to cheer them on. I’ll be at the finish line with a big cup of coffee with a splash of Kahlua.”
“I’d better get going. I told Jasper I’d help the staff clean up tonight.” Jax stood.
“Do you want us to help?” Hannah asked.
“Nah, I got it. But thanks for offering. And for bringing those cookies. They were some of the best cookies I can remember having.”
“I can send you the recipe?”
“Sure. I don’t really bake, but maybe I should start since I need a distraction.”
Kate watched Hannah put her hand on Jax’s arm.
Mixed emotions swirled through her. She felt proud to be with someone so compassionate, and she also felt a twinge of jealousy.
What if Hannah left her for Jax? She immediately shook that thought out of her head.
Neither Jax nor Hannah would ever betray her like that.
Every time she felt like she was finally over Brittany, worries about being left showed up again.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this, especially during the holidays,” Hannah said.
“Thanks, but honestly, I’d rather leave that relationship in this year and look forward to new things next year. Maybe I need to have a tarot card reading, too.”
Hannah’s face lit up. “That would be amazing! I’m so happy you trust me enough to consider it!”
“You’ve helped Cathy move on with her writing and Kate is on the brink of owning her building, so I’d love to see what you can do for me,” Jax said.
Hannah clapped her hands with enthusiasm. “Come into the shop anytime. I’d love to give you a reading.”
“You know what? If you want, I can talk to Jasper about doing a tarot card reading night here. He’s always looking for ways to bring new customers into Hop’s Heaven.”
Hannah threw her arms around Jax, who returned her hug.
A small smile spread across Kate’s face as warmth spread outward from her heart.
She was proud of Hannah and took some credit for this new development in her budding tarot business.
Now, if she could just figure out what she needed to sell in order to make her down payment goal.
“Thank you so much! I would love that! I can give part of my sales to Hop’s Heaven, if you want!”
Jax and Hannah separated. Kate took Hannah’s warm and somewhat sweaty hand in hers. Kate hadn’t realized how nervous Hannah was tonight.
“No need for that. Hey, do you have an Instagram for your business?”
Hannah let go of Kate’s hand. She tapped on her phone and then showed it to Jax.
“Okay, I’m following you. You have a lot of followers on this account for just starting out. That’s perfect. I’m sure Jasper will want you to do an event here that you can share with your followers. If I don’t get back to you by next weekend, message me.”
Kate watched Hannah’s face as it pinked again.
She wanted to give her a hug and then drag her back to her place and spend the night making Hannah shout her name.
The lights flickered above them, and behind the bar, two staff members shouted.
“We close in fifteen minutes! Get your beer to go, or just go!”
“I’m out of here,” Cathy said and she began giving hugs to the group.
Her last hug went to Kate. Cathy whispered in her ear.
“Hannah’s a great girl. I’m happy you found her.
I just hope you decide to keep her.” The enormous meal in Kate’s stomach churned.
Was it safe to let herself fall head over heels for Hannah?
Cathy let go of her, said goodbye to the group, and walked out of Hop’s Heaven.
Jax rocked back on their heels. “I’d better get to it. You two stay out of trouble.”
“Will do,” Kate said.
“And I’ll talk to you soon, Hannah!” Jax turned and walked away.
Kate dipped her head and gave Hannah a quick kiss. “Ready to head out?” she asked.
Hannah adjusted her glasses. “We could go over to my place?”
Kate paused. There was no good reason to say no.
She’d picked Hannah up tonight, and if they didn’t go back to Hannah’s place, she’d have to drive her home tomorrow.
Kate loved being in her own space and didn’t like the loss of control that spending the night at Hannah’s would cause.
But she couldn’t crush the hopefulness in Hannah’s eyes.
“Sure,” she shrugged. “It only makes sense since I drove you here.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet Smoky,” Hannah said as she pulled Kate toward the door.