Page 13

“You know, Elena, you don’t have to buy one,” Cat said.

“Oh, I know, but I want to.” She turned to Cat. “When Dean knew he was going to die, he told me to go find the person I’m meant to be without him.”

“Oh, wow,” Cat said.

“Yeah, I wasn’t sure what he meant at the time, but I think he wanted me to explore and see what there is to discover about Elena Burkett.”

“What have you found so far?”

Elena chuckled. “I’m a little like you. I quit my job, even though I was a volunteer. I bought a smaller house. I never liked our larger house, but Dean thought we needed it when he occasionally entertained clients.”

“What else?”

“I’m working on a project at my new home, and I think a vibrator is next.”

Cat smiled. “All right, then.”

“I want the one you showed me at the beginning. Instead of purple, I like the blue,” Elena said.

Cat reached in a drawer and took out the vibrator Elena selected in its box. She put it in a bag and handed it to her. “If you have any questions…”

Elena laughed. “I may.”

“I hope coming by here and spending time in the reading nook is part of your exploration,” Cat said.

“Oh, it is, but it’s not just because of that cute little reading nook,” Elena replied.

“I’m going to like you being a regular around here,” Cat said, opening the door.

“Do I need to pay back here or at the front?” Elena asked.

“This is on me,” Cat said. “I want to be part of your journey.”

“Thank you, Cat,” Elena said as they walked back to the front of the store.

“Let’s talk about the book you read last night,” Cat said, sitting in one of the comfy chairs in the reading nook.

“Do you have time?”

“I’ve always got time to talk about books with you, my friend.”

After a lively conversation about the book Elena was reading, she hopped out of her chair. “I almost forgot, I want to buy a book I saw yesterday.”

“Do you need any help?”

“Nope, I’ll meet you at the register,” Elena said.

Cat watched her walk away and chuckled. “Okay, then.” She walked over to the register and waited.

Elena plopped the book down on the counter and Cat scanned it. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Cat looked at the cover. “That’s a very handsome bare chested man on the cover.” She looked up at Elena and grinned. “There’s no judgment at Your Next Great Read.”

Elena chuckled. “I have not dipped into the gay romance genre yet, but the friend I’m giving this book to loves it.”

“Dipped?”

Cat giggled as Elena’s eyes widened. “Really?”