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Cat chuckled. “Elena said if she ever saw Hattie she was going to throat punch her.”

“What!” Jessica looked at Elena and shook her head. “No way. That’s not you.”

“That’s what I said!” Cat exclaimed. “Instead, she said she was going to kiss me to show Hattie she’d missed out and to move on.”

Jessica laughed. “What a plan. I thought it had worked, but...”

“I know she’ll be back, but that’s okay. We can get this business with the house decided and Hattie will be gone for good,” Cat said.

“We’d better get going,” Elena said, looking at her watch. She realized she was still holding Cat’s hand and slipped her fingers away. She missed the soft touch and warmth of Cat’s hand as soon as she pulled hers away.

Once they were in the car, Elena looked over at Cat. “Are you okay?”

“Yep. You know, I thought when I saw Hattie again all these feelings would come rushing back, but there was nothing. I didn’t hate her. I wasn’t angry with her. I certainly didn’t feel love. There was nothing.”

Elena pulled onto the street and they were quiet for a moment.

“But I am going to need you to be my girlfriend a little longer,” Cat added.

“I can do that.” What Elena would give to actually be Cat’s girlfriend.

“She’ll be back.”

“I’ll be right beside you,” Elena said then added, “Babe.”

Cat smiled, reached over and squeezed Elena’s knee. “That was a nice touch.”

“It seemed appropriate.” Elena smirked.

Cat chuckled and looked out the window. “I’ll tell Cory and CeCe that Hattie is back, but I don’t want my mom to know. There will be too many questions and tonight is about Vi and her parents.”

Elena smiled. “I understand. I can imagine Christine would have a lot to say.”

“That’s an understatement.” Cat reached over and pulled Elena’s hand into her lap. Elena felt Cat intertwine their fingers once again as she continued to stare out the window.

The rest of the ride to CeCe’s was quiet as Elena contemplated what took place at the bookstore. Elena could still feel Cat’s lips on hers and it just verified what she already knew. She was falling in love with Cat Sloan. But did Cat feel the same way? Ah, that’s what Elena wanted to find out, but how? With Hattie back in town, Cat’s heart was vulnerable. She may not have felt anything when she saw Hattie, but this wasn’t the right time to explore their feelings. Elena would be there for Cat in any way she needed her. That was one thing Elena knew for sure.

Cat sighed and gently stroked the back of Elena’s hand. So much had happened today that she didn’t know where to start. Once again thoughts swirled through her head. I should be dizzy. But the thing that stood out above everything was that kiss and Elena’s hand in hers. She closed her eyes for a moment to stop everything. It was time to focus on this dinner and supporting Cory and Vi.

As Elena pulled into CeCe’s driveway Cat smiled over at her. “Well, babe. Here we go.”

Elena chuckled and eased her hand from Cat’s. She reached into the back seat for the book she planned to give to Vi’s dad.

“Alberto is going to love that,” Cat said. “I’m glad you remembered to bring it.”

Elena gently laid her hand on Cat’s shoulder. “Let’s have a good time and try not to think about you-know-who.”

Cat smiled. “I can’t imagine who you mean.”

Elena nodded and they got out of the car. Once inside Cat watched as Elena presented Alberto with the book. She smiled while Elena gave him a brief summary.

“Your friend knows a lot about books. Does she work with you?” Vi’s mom, Josie, asked.

“No, but she may as well. She has come into the bookstore nearly every day since we’ve opened.”

“Alberto couldn’t stop talking about her at lunch, and you as well. You both made quite an impression on him,” Josie said.

“You’ve made quite an impression on us,” Cat countered. “We love Vi, especially how she puts Cory in her place. Now we know how she became such an incredible woman.”