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Cat groaned. “Please don’t make me regret talking to you about this.”

CeCe put her hands on Cat’s upper arms and smiled. “Okay, dear sister. Sorry about that. What do you want to know?”

“I remember you talking about friends with benefits with one of your clients,” Cat began.

“It was her, not me.”

“I know, but how do you think it works?”

“Well, she and this guy were really good friends and?—”

“What I don’t get is aren’t there feelings involved?” Cat asked, interrupting CeCe.

“Well, yeah, because they’re friends to begin with, but with them, neither one was looking for a forever type thing. It was more like helping each other because, you know, you have needs. And where is all this coming from?”

Cat shrugged.

“Is there someone you want to explore this with?”

Cat shook her head. “No, I’m not ready for anything like that. Love is the furthest thing from my mind.” Cat knew CeCe and Alexis were falling in love so she quickly added, “But I want that for you.” She smiled. “Alexis is one lucky woman.”

CeCe returned her smile. “I’m pretty damn lucky myself, but we’re not there yet.”

Cat raised her eyebrows.

CeCe sighed. “There’s more to it than love. I’m not sure I fit in her world.”

Cat scoffed. “Please. You don’t believe that anymore. Let Alexis show you exactly where you belong. I think we both know where that is.”

CeCe smiled again and sighed. “Wait a minute! Why are we talking about me and Alexis? We were talking about you.”

Cat chuckled. “It’s hard not to talk about you and Alexis. I’d better get back to the bookstore.”

“I’m not sure what just happened, but did I answer your question?”

“Yes you did.” Cat gave CeCe a quick hug. “Love ya, sis.” She walked out before CeCe could ask her any more questions. Just as she suspected, friends with benefits wasn’t for her. She wasn’t even sure why she’d thought about it in the first place. She’d never been attracted to any of her friends in that way. Talking to Elena last night and then the dream had her feeling off balance today.

She waved at Ryan as she walked out of the salon and back into her little haven. Books were her friends and made her feel safe. “Ahh,” she sighed, gazing happily around her bookstore.

10

“Hey there,” Elena said, walking up to Cat at the register.

“Hi. Hey, have you ever been attracted to any of your friends?”

“What?”

“Oh, sorry. I was just wondering.”

Elena walked around the register and looped her arm through Cat’s. She led them over to the reading nook and turned to her. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing. I was talking to CeCe about friends with benefits and that’s something I’ve never quite understood. I mean, I get it, but… I guess all our talk about sex and vibrators last night got me thinking.”

Elena was trying to connect the dots from last night to what Cat was saying now and must have had a confused look on her face.

Cat reached out and put her hand on Elena’s arm. “I didn’t tell CeCe anything about our conversation.”

“Are you…”