Page 25 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

Elena took a deep breath and sighed. “Hattie really hurt you, didn’t she?”

Cat nodded and sipped her wine. “What hurt the most was that I tried to fix it, but Hattie wouldn’t.”

Elena took Cat’s hand while she sipped her wine with the other.

“I knew things weren’t right and I tried to talk to her about it which was a big deal for me,” Cat said with a sad smile. “But she would assure me we were fine and it was just a rough patch, as they say. Those rough patches seemed to last longer and longer. I blamed myself because I worked such long hours.”

Cat looked over at Elena and smiled. “Hattie was in corporate sales and she was always around people. She was, or is, a people person. I’m rather reserved and was never sure how we got together. But I think she loved being the loud fun one and knew I’d be right by her side, meekly laughing at her antics. The perfect partner who would let her shine.”

Elena smiled and squeezed Cat’s hand.

“I felt like a failure. How could I not save this relationship that we’d built over the years?” Cat said.

“You’re not a failure, Cat.”

“Kind of,” Cat said, raising her eyebrows.

“Not if Hattie wouldn’t do her part.”

Cat shrugged. “Jessica asked me the other day what I would do if Hattie walked into the bookstore.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Cat turned so she could look into Elena’s eyes. “The bell rang over the door and a customer walked in. You.”

“Me!” Elena exclaimed.

“Yep. That’s the day we opened and you walked through those doors.”

7

Cat grinned at the look on Elena’s face. It was somewhere between shock and disbelief. “It’s okay, Elena. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

She watched as Elena took a big drink of her wine then reached for the bottle.

“Are you okay?” Cat asked.

“Yes, I’m just surprised. I had no idea you were going through that when I walked into the bookstore. You gave me the most disarming smile. I immediately felt welcomed and not afraid to ask you where the sapphic books were located.”

“I don’t think you asked. If I remember correctly, I led you in that direction and I don’t know why.”

“Maybe you have some kind of book gaydar.”

Cat chuckled as Elena poured them more wine.

“So, you know I’m going to ask questions,” Elena said, setting the bottle back on the table. “If that’s okay?”

Cat nodded.

“What would you do?”

Cat furrowed her brow. “Do?”

“What would you do if Hattie walked into the bookstore? If I saw her talking to you, I’d probably—yes, I’d throat punch her.”

Cat almost choked on her wine.

“Isn’t that right? I’ve heard Nicolas say that. Throat punch.”

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