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“Thank you, Cat, but you give us too much credit. Vi has always been independent and focused on her goals, but Cory has given her more than goals to think about and we’re very happy about that.”

“I want to hear about your grandchildren,” Christine said, joining their little circle.

“Oh!” Alberto exclaimed. “They’re the reason we have to go back early tomorrow. Their parents are going out of town and of course they want to stay with us.”

Cat discretely backed away from the conversation before her mom started in on her to have kids. She made eye contact with Elena and nodded slightly towards the kitchen.

“I did not want to hear my mom start in about not having grandkids,” Cat said quietly to Elena.

“I hear you,” Elena said.

“Hey,” Cat said as she and Elena walked up to CeCe, Alexis, Cory, and Vi where they stood around the island. “Elena came along because…”

“Because she’s more than welcome to be here,” Alexis said.

“Thanks, Alexis.” Elena smiled.

“There’s been a development that I’ll tell you all about later. I don’t want a bunch of questions from Mom,” Cat said tentatively.

“What kind of development?” Cory asked.

Cat sighed. “Hattie is back in town.”

“What!” CeCe exclaimed.

“Shhh!” Cat shushed her. “What part of I’ll tell you later did you not understand?” She was afraid her sisters would overreact and that’s the last thing she needed today.

“Un uh,” Cory said, shaking her head. “She does not get to come back to town and upset you all over again.”

Cat knew her sisters would fiercely defend her against anything, but she didn’t need that right now.

“It’s okay,” Elena said, giving Cat a sweet smile. “I’m helping Cat with it.”

“Is this the ex whose name we don’t speak aloud?” Vi asked quietly.

Cat chuckled. “That’s Cory’s rule, not mine, Vi. But yes, Hattie’s my ex and she came waltzing into the store proclaiming her love for me, saying how she made a huge mistake.”

“She did make a mistake, but fuck her!” CeCe said.

“Sisters!” Cat whispered. “Later!”

Cat glanced over at Elena and widened her eyes. She really didn’t want to tell her mom she’d seen Hattie today and wanted this dinner to be about Vi and her parents.

“Cory and I are going to teach CeCe and Alexis how to salsa,” Vi said, trying to steer the conversation away from Cat’s ex. “Would you and Elena like to learn, too?”

Cat gave Vi a grateful smile then looked at Elena. “That sounds like fun.”

Elena nodded. “It does.”

“Sure, count us in,” Cat said.

“What are y’all scheming about over there?” Christine asked from the kitchen table. “When those three girls get together I have to keep a close eye on them,” she said to Vi’s parents.

“We’re not scheming, Mom. What would you like to drink? My beautiful partner has requested mocktails and I’m happy to be your bartender for the evening,” Cory said.

“Partner? That’s so formal. What happened to girlfriend?” Christine said in an amused voice.

“It’s simply the truth.” Cory smiled at Vi. “We’re in this together.”