Page 16 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

“I know how it feels to want to talk about something, but not know how. That happened to me with Dean.”

“I wanted to talk with Hattie, but she didn’t. For something that can make you feel so friggin’ good, sex can also be so hard. That’s one reason I wanted to open The Bottom Shelf. We all have options and sex toys are nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Elena smiled. “I have to tell you, Cat. There’s no way I would’ve gone into a sex store without you.”

“But you’ve only known me for a minute,” Cat said.

“It’s been longer than a minute and you know it. I don’t know what it is we have, but there’s something,” Elena said, pointing her finger between her and Cat. “Whatever it is, we both must need it and I’m not questioning it.”

Cat grinned. “I think I’ll have that cup of coffee now.”

Elena sipped from her cup and watched Cat prepare her own coffee. She was looking forward to their happy hour date.

Date? Was that what this was? Interesting, Elena thought.

They drank their coffee and had their usual conversation about books. Elena promised to be back at five to walk over to Cory’s and have a glass of wine.

In the meantime she ran a few errands and got back home just as Nicolas was finishing the bookcase.

“Oh, my! That looks beautiful!” Elena exclaimed as she walked in from the kitchen.

“It really is,” Nicolas said.

“You sound surprised.” Elena chuckled.

“It was your vision and design. I knew I could build it, but I didn’t think it would look this good after I painted it.”

“It’s better than I imagined.”

“Now what?”

“I have a few books to put in it.”

“You’d better get to reading then. You have a lot of shelves to fill,” Nicolas said.

“Are you ready for another book?”

“Ms. E, you don’t have to keep buying me books,” Nicolas protested.

“But I like to. Hey, why don’t you come to the bookstore with me and you can meet my friend Cat and pick out a couple of books,” Elena said.

“Your friend Cat? Is she the owner who you talk about books with every day?”

Elena smiled. “Yep. When can I put books on the shelves?”

Nicolas peered at the shelves. “It should be dry by tonight.”

“Thank you. This house is feeling more like home,” Elena said.

“I’m ready for another project when you are,” Nicolas said.

“I have other ideas, but for now let me work on filling this bookcase.”

“Sounds good. Have a nice evening,” Nicolas said, throwing his tool bag over his shoulder.

“Oh, I will. Have you heard about the happy hour bar at The Liquor Box?”

“I have,” he replied.

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