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“Thanks, ba—” Elena stopped and looked at Cat wide-eyed. She heard Cat giggle.

“Are you happy, Mom?” Cat asked, covering Elena’s embarrassment.

“I am. Elena and I have found a good spot to watch all the action.”

“Cory loves showing off her ring,” Elena commented.

Cat chuckled. “That’s another surprise in all this. She’s not much on jewelry, but just look at her.”

“You know what surprises me?” Christine said.

“What’s that, Mom?”

“Your daddy wanted you girls to do something together, so you opened this shopping center. Look what happened with CeCe and now Cory. They’re getting married.”

“Easy, Mom,” Cat said.

“I’m not talking about the big wedding, Cat. What I mean is that maybe your dad is with us and knows about our happiness.”

Elena gasped. “Now that’s a thought.”

“You never know,” Christine said, looking at Elena. “I wouldn’t be surprised if your Dean knows about your happiness as well.”

Elena had never thought about that. Christine was full of wisdom or something tonight. Elena wasn’t sure which. She looked up to find Cat staring at her.

“I hope he knows,” Cat said, smiling at Elena.

“Well, I think the crowd has died down and I can go congratulate the happy couple,” Christine said, getting up. “Cat, you can have my chair.”

Cat sat down and looked at Elena. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure. Your mom knows about us and I think she may be right. Your dad and Dean probably do, too.”

Cat gave her a confused look. “Yes, she knows we’re in a fake relationship. But what are you talking about?”

“You heard her. Maybe your dad and Dean helped us find each other so we could find happiness again.”

Elena watched Cat blink several times and tilt her head.

“It’s okay, babe,” Elena said with a smile. Thanks, Dean.

It had been a week since Cory and Vi’s engagement party and Cat had been busy getting ready for Tara’s book signing.

“We’re checking things off this list like we’ve done this dozens of times before,” Jessica said, looking over Cat’s shoulder.

“I know,” Cat said.

“Elena has been so helpful with promoting the event,” Jessica said.

“She has,” Cat said, putting the notebook on the counter. “And she loves it. I think she’s found her next career.”

“Did her husband really leave her set so she doesn’t have to work?”

Cat raised her brows. “It wasn’t just him. They made some good investments and they’ve paid off.”

“Hey, Cat,” Cory said from the entrance to CeCe’s salon. “Do you have a minute?”

“Go ahead. I can take care of the store,” Jessica assured her.