Page 79

“So is this fake relationship going to continue?” Alexis asked.

“It will until Hattie gets the message. The next time I see her I’ll tell her we need to sell the house,” Cat said.

“And then?”

Cat looked at CeCe and Alexis and decided that maybe they could help her make sense of the thoughts swirling in her head. She sighed. “A few months ago, I had this dream. I was walking along the lake near Lovers Landing. I was holding a woman’s hand and as we walked I could feel the happiness in my heart. It was because I was with this woman. Somehow in my dream, I knew it was because of her.”

Cat paused and CeCe and Alexis waited patiently.

“When I turned to look at her face it was a blur and then I woke up. All this time I’ve been trying to figure out who the woman was. I knew it wasn’t Hattie, but whoever it was, she was so familiar.”

Cat took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Yesterday, when Elena kissed me, she also slipped her hand into mine and interlaced our fingers. The dream flashed through my head, only this time I could see the woman’s face.”

“It was Elena,” Alexis whispered.

Cat nodded. “It was Elena.”

“Holy shit, Cat! If that isn’t a sign!” CeCe exclaimed.

“Easy, babe,” Alexis said, putting her hand on CeCe’s arm.

“I don’t know if Elena feels the same way,” Cat stated, taking another sip of her coffee.

“Ask her!”

“Really, CeCe?” Cat said. “Did you tell Alexis you were in love with her? No, you waited until she was ready to hear it.”

CeCe snorted. “Okay, okay. You’re right.”

“Besides, I need to end this with Hattie before I do anything. And what if Elena doesn’t feel the same way? How awkward is that going to make our friendship? It’s so risky! I don’t want to lose her.”

“You won’t lose her,” Alexis said firmly. She smiled at Cat then eased the tone of her voice. “You told me once that you had a front row seat to watch CeCe and me fall in love. Remember?”

Cat nodded.

“That’s what we’re seeing between you and Elena. If you would’ve told me that’s what CeCe and I were doing, I wouldn’t have believed you. When you’re in it sometimes your vision gets a little blurry.”

“There’s nothing wrong with taking your time,” CeCe said. “Just don’t waste it.”

“I won’t,” Cat said.

“I think you do need to settle this with Hattie, but don’t be afraid to tell Elena how you feel. You tell her everything anyway, don’t you?” Alexis grinned.

“Yeah. I haven’t shared what happened yesterday when she kissed me and took my hand.”

“You will and it’s going to be beautiful,” CeCe said.

Cat smiled and was suddenly very grateful her big sister and Alexis had brought her breakfast.

They were having second helpings of the donuts when Cat’s phone began to vibrate on the living room table.

“Good morning,” Cat said cheerily with a big smile on her face.

“Wonder who that is,” CeCe said with a wink.

Cat gave her a menacing look.

Alexis chuckled. “With that kind of smile, you know it’s Elena.”