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Cat took a breath then chuckled. “You’d hit her?”

“Yes! She hurt my friend.”

Cat shook her head. She couldn’t imagine Elena ever being violent.

“Okay. I wouldn’t hit her, but I’d want to.”

Cat glanced over at Elena and could see the wheels turning in her head. “What?”

“I think if I walked into the bookstore and saw her talking to you…” Elena narrowed her gaze. “I would walk over and kiss you on the lips.”

Cat was about to take another sip and stopped. “Are you trying to make me choke?”

Elena smiled. “I’d kiss you so she’d know she made the biggest mistake of her life. She’d think you’ve moved on and realize she needs to hit the road,” she explained, pointing with her thumb over her shoulder.

Cat giggled. “How much wine did you have before I got here?”

“None. I was waiting for you. I’m not drunk, Cat. I’m looking out for my friend.”

Cat smiled at Elena’s sincerity. “Thank you.”

Elena nodded then leaned towards Cat. “Could you show me a picture so I know what she looks like? I want to be ready.”

Cat burst out laughing. “She’s not going to come into the bookstore. It’s been almost a year and I haven’t heard a word from her in months.”

“Okay. But just know, I have your back.”

“Throat punch,” Cat said softly and began to giggle again.

Elena began to chuckle as well. “You do realize I’ve never hit another person in my life.”

“But you’d do it for me?” Cat couldn’t resist teasing Elena. “Are you sure you’re not coming onto me?”

Elena’s eyes widened. “No! I—I…” Elena stammered.

“I’m kidding. How about we get some food and talk about how to fill this bookcase,” Cat suggested.

“Do bare shelves make you nervous?” Elena replied.

Cat looked into Elena’s eyes. “Not at all. They’re full of opportunities.”

“I like that.” Elena got up. “I’ll be right back.”

Cat gazed around the room and sighed. She didn’t like to talk about Hattie or their time together, but sharing with Elena didn’t give her the feeling of sadness that usually accompanied memories of Hattie. And offering to throat punch Hattie didn’t hurt either. Cat smiled and an image of Elena walking up and kissing her in the bookstore caught her by surprise.

“Okay, where do you want to order from?” Elena said, walking back into the room with several take-out menus. “We have Mexican, Italian, Chinese, burgers.”

“Do you cook?”

“Sometimes, but all I could offer today would be sandwiches. I need to go to the grocery store,” Elena replied.

“I love sandwiches,” Cat said.

“Really? I do, too.”

Cat raised her eyebrows. “I don’t mind ordering take-out and I'll pay since you’ve supplied the wine, but…”

“Come on, let’s see what I have to make sandwiches.”