Page 41 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

“I think today is national hot dog day,” Jessica replied. “I don’t remember there being a national sex toy day, but we could start one.”

Cat chuckled. “Why not? They have a day for everything else. Holler if you need me.” She walked to the back of the bookstore and shook her head thinking about all the designations someone had come up with to celebrate each day.

She straightened up the displays where people had touched the merchandise. Then she made sure there was plenty in stock in the cabinets underneath the displays. Her phone dinged with a text and she reached into her pocket. She saw a notification of a text from Elena. She opened it and smiled.

Elena was supposed to share the pictures from the sapphic study with her, but forgot to send them last night.

Cat studied the pictures for a moment and the ease and contentment she usually felt when she was with Elena settled over her.

She read the caption under the pictures. Whatcha doing?

Cat took a couple of pictures of the vibrators and other toys on display. Then she typed: Guess?

She immediately saw the ellipses as Elena typed her reply. I’ll be right there!

Cat chuckled but warmth began to spread through her at the thought of Elena and her little vibrator friend, Aqua.

“Oh, no, no, no,” Cat said out loud. She shook her head then stopped and looked at the mirror behind the display shelves. Her cheeks were red and her clear blue eyes stared back at her. She and Elena had become closer and closer with each passing day. Cat had never had a thought like that about any of her other friends and wondered why she was having this thought about Elena now.

She had to get out of there. Maybe it was the sex toys coupled with the pictures Elena had sent. They both looked so happy as they stared into the camera. There was Elena’s hand resting on Cat’s shoulder again. Cat closed her eyes, remembering the moment, and she could feel Elena’s fingers pressing into her shoulder just as they had last night.

“Stop it!” she mumbled. She closed the cabinets below the display and hurried out of the room. Instead of going to the front of the store she went into the break room and got a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.

She sat down on the couch and took a big drink from the water bottle.

“There you are,” Cory said, walking into the room.

“Hey,” Cat said, appreciating the distraction.

“Is everything okay?” Cory asked, her brows knit in concern.

“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?” Cat replied, taking another big drink of water.

Cory sat down next to her and shrugged. “Jessica said you were in the toy room.”

“I was, but came in here when I finished up. Why?”

“Your cheeks are red and you look a little frazzled.” Cory eyed her with a discerning look.

“I’m fine.”

“If you say so,” Cory acquiesced.

“I do.”

“I haven’t seen much of you the past few weeks,” Cory commented.

“That’s because you’ve been at volleyball practice or out selling booze.”

Cory chuckled. “True. What have you been up to?”

“Mmm, I’ve been selling books,” Cat said.

“Duh, I know that. What about Elena?”

“What about Elena?” Cat furrowed her brow.

“Come to think about it, I’ve seen Elena more than I’ve seen you lately.”

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