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Since admitting their feelings for each other on Tara’s dock, they hadn’t spent a night apart. Cat had always been one who needed her alone time, but with Elena she got what she needed. They could sit in the sapphic study, read a book, and not say a word to each other and be perfectly content. They’d been doing that for months now.

Other times they would watch TV together or prepare dinner and Cat loved their new routine. One thing she did know for sure was that she wanted to keep falling asleep at night with Elena next to her and waking up the same way. Cat had worked late a few nights in preparation for the book signing and it was nice to fall asleep in Elena’s arms after a sweet goodnight kiss.

Nicolas had been by a couple of times and entertained them with his latest romantic antics or watched a movie with them. They’d asked him not to say anything to CeCe or Cory about their relationship when he came into their stores. Nicolas loved knowing a secret. Cat chuckled at the image of him zipping his mouth shut with his fingers.

No one seemed to notice or didn’t realize Cat had been living at Elena’s for over two weeks now and she was fine with that. Cat did go by and check the mail every day and grab more clothes when she needed them. She wondered if Alexis had driven by and wanted to stop, but kept going when she didn’t see Cat’s car.

She didn’t have time to wonder about that right now. Cat had to change before Elena got home.

“Oh, baby. I can’t wait,” Cat said softly as she walked to the bedroom.

“Hey, Elena,” CeCe said. “Did you go by to see my little sister?”

Elena smiled warily at CeCe’s tone of voice as she sat down in her chair. “I did. Are you ready for the big book signing next week?”

“I am. Your ideas to keep the folks in line happy while they wait will be fun. I’m glad I get to help,” CeCe said, wrapping the cape around her.

As CeCe began the process of highlighting her hair, Elena could see Cory approaching them in the mirror.

“Hi,” Cory said with a smile. “Cat asked me to give you this bottle of wine to take home.”

“Oh,” Elena said. “I wonder what she’s making for dinner.”

“Alexis mentioned she hasn’t seen Cat’s car at home lately,” CeCe said.

“She’s been spending the evenings with me,” Elena said, then quickly added, “In case Hattie comes by their house.”

“Y’all are really making this fake relationship thing look real,” Cory said, raising her eyebrows.

“If it helps Hattie figure out she doesn’t have a chance with Cat and agrees to sell the house then it’s worth it. Don’t you agree?”

“Yeah,” Cory said. “I can’t believe she left in the first place, but now she’s just drawing it out. It’s inevitable.”

“Yep,” Elena agreed.

“So,” CeCe began, “has it been weird kissing my sister?”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Elena said, raising her brows. “I’m not talking about that.”

Cory chuckled. “Okay, okay. It’s just that when we’ve seen you together doing your little act, you both seem to be enjoying it.”

“Cat’s my friend and I love her,” Elena stated. “I want her to be happy and getting closure with Hattie is what she wants so that’s what I want.”

“You’re a good friend,” CeCe said.

“Wouldn’t you do the same for your friends?” Elena asked.

“I would, but I’m not sure about kissing them,” CeCe said.

“You wouldn’t now,” Cory said. “You’re engaged.”

“So are you,” Elena pointed out.

“I know.” Cory held out her hand and stared at the engagement ring on her finger.

Elena chuckled. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

“It is,” Cory said, “but not as beautiful as my fiance´e.”