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Tara paused and sipped her wine.

“I don’t know that I believe in destiny,” Tara continued. “But I think we have to go through the times in our lives to make our way to who we’re supposed to be with. I had to go through the—shall I say, casual—hook-ups to find myself and be the woman Lauren fell in love with. I had to be who her heart was looking for. All the other women led me to Lauren and she made me want to have a love and the life that I do now.”

“I don’t think I’ll be thanking all of them,” Lauren said with a smirk.

Tara chuckled. “I never thought this life, this love was possible for me. I didn’t think that was who I was, but when I stopped and took a look at myself, I found I wanted that love, but more importantly, I was that woman. I never imagined this much happiness, but it’s mine now and I’m never letting it go. I get up every morning excited and looking forward to how I get to love Lauren every day. I love who I am and the life I have with Lauren. It wasn’t just my journey, though. It took us both a while to get here. We had to be ready at that moment in time and here we are.”

“It was different for me,” Lauren said. “This is like another life or another chapter, since we’re talking about books.”

Cat and Elena chuckled.

“I had a good life with my husband, but when my kids grew up we found out they were our only real connection. For me, there had to be more. I’ve found an everlasting love with Tara and my past and present intersect with our children.”

“She calls them our children, but Lauren is their mother. I think they like having me around, though.”

Lauren laughed. “They love you and you know it.”

“And I love them.” Tara turned back to Cat and Elena. “I talk about the fun and partying in the book, but back then, I was afraid to be still. I was afraid to look at myself. When I found Lauren, all of that changed. It isn’t about fun all the time; it’s about living. I love being with Lauren and living in those quiet moments. It’s the easy moments like right now, sitting and talking and just being, that mean the most.”

Cat thought about Tara and Lauren’s words and looked over at Elena. What Tara described was what she and Elena did most evenings. They sat in the sapphic study and simply loved being together. Cat’s heart began to pound in her chest. She had to tell Elena how she felt. There was nothing fake or pretend about her feelings and Elena should know.

“That was a lot more than you asked for,” Tara said. “I’m not sure where all that came from.”

“It was beautiful,” Elena said. “I think my life might be similar to yours, Lauren. I was married for almost twenty-five years and my husband died last year. I feel like I’m starting the next chapter or the next life I’m supposed to live.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Lauren said. “It seems you’ve found a good place to start with Cat and the bookstore.”

Cat and Elena shared a look.

“Can I top off your wine? It won’t be long until the sun goes down, so we’d better make our way outside,” Tara said.

After another splash of wine, they followed Tara out the back door and onto a patio that overlooked the lake.

“The view is great here, but this time of year is special. When you stand on the dock, the sun looks like it’s setting right into the water.”

“Honey, Justin and Ruby are on the phone. I’ll be out in a minute,” Lauren said from the back door.

“Justin is our son and Ruby is his daughter. I understand about every other word, but she’s the cutest thing you ever did see.” Tara beamed with pride. “Y’all follow the steps down to the dock. I’ll wait on Lauren and we’ll see the sunset from up here.”

“Are you sure?” Cat asked.

Tara nodded. “Go on, enjoy the show.”

As they began to follow the path down to the steps which led to the dock, Cat slipped her hand into Elena’s and intertwined their fingers, just like in her dream. “I need to tell you something while we watch the sunset.”

Elena smiled at her and nodded.

24

They stepped onto the dock and walked around the area where the boat was kept.

“This looks like a good spot,” Cat said, sitting down where they could gaze across the lake.

Elena sat down next to her and dangled her feet over the edge. “Are you cold?”

Cat shook her head and once again took Elena’s hand. Elena hadn’t realized how much she loved holding hands until she and Cat began this charade. Dean was never one for public displays of affection. She would feel his hand on her back when they walked into a restaurant, but they never held hands. Elena almost looked forward to when they knew Hattie would be around so she’d have an excuse to slip her hand into Cat’s.

“Do you see that span of beach right over there?” Cat pointed to an area on the other side of the cove.