Page 52 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

“I’m so happy for you,” Cat said, hugging her sister.

“We’ll be ready,” Elena assured her.

CeCe grinned as she turned to leave.

“Isn’t this exciting,” Cat said. “You could feel the love radiating off them through all the flirting and now CeCe is getting married.”

Cat slung her arm over Elena’s shoulder as they watched CeCe walk away. “That could be you again.”

“Or you,” Elena said.

“Mmm, I don’t think so,” Cat said quietly.

Saturday was here before they knew it. Cat and Cory had helped CeCe contact all their friends, the champagne was chilling, and excitement was in the air.

Cat was so happy for CeCe and felt like she’d had a front row seat watching her and Alexis fall in love. Cory had told her that Vi was receptive to her business proposal and Cat thought she may be watching Cory and Vi follow the same path. She sighed and a stab of sadness went straight to her heart.

“Is everything ready for the big ass party?” Elena asked, walking up beside her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Hi,” Cat said, giving Elena a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I was just thinking about how happy I am for CeCe and I think Cory may be next.”

“Oh?”

Cat nodded. “Vi was interested in her business proposal, so you never know.”

“Then why do you look so sad?”

Elena’s kindness made tears sting the back of Cat’s eyes. She wasn’t an outwardly jovial person like her sisters, but she certainly wasn’t sullen either. Elena always seemed to know when she was having a down day.

Cat sighed again. “I always thought I would be the first one of us to get married. Hattie and I were together for a long time and Cory and CeCe haven’t had serious relationships in several years.”

Cat felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder. “Here’s the bright side,” Elena said. “Hattie is obviously an idiot and you, my friend, deserve the best.”

Cat leaned into Elena’s side and rested her head on Elena’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

“You always find a way to make it all better.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Elena said.

Elena squeezed Cat’s shoulder then dropped her hand. Cat immediately missed the affectionate touch.

“So, is everything ready for the party?”

“Don’t you mean the big ass party?” Cat chuckled. “CeCe will settle for nothing less, but yes, everything is ready. She texted and said they aren’t doing the ice cream, but are on their way to the salon.”

“Hey, is that Vi I see over at Cory’s?” Elena asked, looking through the opening to the other stores.

“Yeah, it is. Maybe things are working out for her, too.”

Elena gasped. “Here they come.”

CeCe and Alexis walked through the front door of the salon and headed for Cory’s store.

“It’s happening. Cory has the wine at the register for them.”

They both looked on and neither said anything as they watched CeCe take a sack from Cory.

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