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“Stop!” Elena put her hand over Cat’s. “We all pitched in.”

“I want to know when you’re going to start a book club,” Victoria said.

Cat and Elena looked at each other and widened their eyes. “I know the perfect person to lead it,” Cat said, smiling at Elena.

“That sounds like fun. I know what book we should start with,” Elena said, taking a book off the table where Tara was signing.

“Great choice,” Shelby said.

“I’ll tell the people at my office,” Victoria said.

“I know Vi will be interested and there are several women from her and Cory’s gym who have come to the bookstore,” Elena said.

“We want in,” Lauren said, joining them. “Tara will be so honored you chose her book first.”

“Oh, wow!” Cat exclaimed. “This is going to be so much fun.” She turned to Elena. “Just imagine the books we can share with them.”

“There’s a list already running through my head.”

“I’ll let Krista and Melanie know, too,” Lauren added.

“Let us know what?” Krista said, walking up to join them.

“They’re starting a book club,” Victoria said.

“I’d love to join,” Melanie said.

A murmur ran through the crowd as people began to recognize Krista.

“Uh oh, I didn’t want to cause a stir but I wanted to come support Tara,” Krista said.

“It’s okay, honey. Just walk through the line and say hello,” Melanie suggested.

“This is Tara’s big moment,” Krista said.

“She was asking about you earlier. She hoped you’d be here,” Lauren said. “Come on, let’s go see her.”

As they walked over to the table, Cat turned to Victoria. “Thank you for this great idea.”

“You’re very welcome, but it’s a purely selfish gesture. I’ll get to sit around and talk about books with my friends and maybe this one will see why I love them so much.” Victoria put her arm around Shelby and smiled.

“I know why you love them. I’m just not big on the romance ones; give me a little action and I’m happy,” Shelby said. “I’m living a beautiful romance every day.”

“Oh my God, Victoria,” Elena said.

“I know.” Victoria chuckled. “I’m one lucky woman.”

“Aren’t we all,” Cat said, smiling at Elena. Movement caught her eye and she turned to see Hattie walk into the bookstore.

32

Cat touched Elena on the arm. “I’ll be right back,” she said quietly.

“Did you come to get a book?” Cat asked, walking up to Hattie.

“Yeah, but could I talk to you for a minute?” Hattie said.

Cat gazed around the store and could see there were only a few people left in line. “Uh, let’s go over here,” she said, leading them behind a bookcase away from the table. Cat could feel Elena’s eyes on her and looked back to give her a smile. When Elena smiled and nodded, Cat could feel her love.