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Nicolas smiled. “Maybe Alexis gave you an idea.”

“Just be there for her every day and love her until she trusts herself?”

“Maybe show her she can trust herself and you.”

“She already trusts me,” Elena said, looking out the windows. “Wait!” She turned back to Nicolas. “If I screw this up, I’ll lose her. I can’t lose her, Nicolas,” she said frantically.

Nicolas patted her hand. “You’re not going to lose her. Take a breath.”

“Fuck, I don’t know what I’m doing,” Elena groaned.

“Didn’t you just tell me that Cat trusts you?”

Elena nodded.

“Then trust yourself. You want Cat to be loved and happy. Who better to give that to her than you?”

Elena stared at him.

He softened his gaze. “She’ll feel it and things will change. Love does that.”

“How do you know? You’re only twenty-five years old!”

Nicolas smiled. “I know love when I see it and that’s what’s happening with you and Cat. Trust yourself, Ms. E.”

Elena sighed. Trust yourself.

Cat was at the front of the store dusting shelves. She was thinking back on CeCe’s engagement party when they were talking about the wedding. Alexis had told her to open her heart and when she turned around there was Elena staring at her. Such a strong feeling of affection—she wouldn’t dare call it love—had come over her. The thought of falling in love and trusting someone with her heart wasn’t as frightening when she was looking into Elena’s soft brown eyes.

“Cat,” Cory called to her. “Sisters meeting, now.”

She looked up to see Cory and CeCe coming into the bookstore from the salon.

“Uh, I’m the only one here. Jessica won’t be in until later.”

Cory sighed loudly. “Okay, we can talk here.”

“Come over to the reading nook,” Cat said. “What’s wrong?”

CeCe and Cat both looked at Cory with concern as they each sat in one of the comfy chairs. Cory paced in front of them then stopped. A big smile blossomed on her face.

“Uh oh,” CeCe said. “You went out with Vi yesterday, didn’t you?”

Cory nodded. “We had the best day!” she exclaimed.

“So you’re not battling Vi any longer?” Cat asked with a grin.

Cory looked at her sisters then proclaimed, “I am so in love with Violet Valdez!”

“Wow! That’s wonderful and fast! I had to figure out I was good enough for Alexis, but not my big sister. She’s a true lesbian!” CeCe said, jumping up to hug her.

“Ha ha,” Cory deadpanned.

“Aw, I’m happy for you,” Cat said, taking her turn to hug Cory.

“Talk about a turnaround,” CeCe said, sitting back down.

“Not really,” Cory said, sitting on the ottoman across from them. “While I’ve been trying to get Vi to see me as her friend, she was trying to keep me as her enemy, but it didn’t work. We’ve had a connection since the first time she walked into The Liquor Box. But the first time she kissed me, I knew. She’s the woman my heart has been waiting for.”