Page 63 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

“Yes, I listen to all kinds of music.” Elena gazed out the window and began to lose herself in the words. It felt like Harry was singing about Elena. She looked over at Cat when Harry sang: “Spinning out, waiting for ya to pull me in. I can see you’re lonely down there. Don’t you know that I am right here?”

Elena did feel like a satellite going ‘round and ‘round, waiting for Cat to pull her in.

Cat looked over at her and smiled. “Caught ya, didn’t I?”

Elena’s eyes widened. Did Cat know Elena was falling in love with her?

“I can see you have a crush on Harry Styles. It’s okay,” Cat said.

Elena laughed. “I don’t have a crush on Harry Styles.” I have a crush on you.

“Okay, whatever you say,” Cat said, keeping her eyes on the road.

“I like his last album. That doesn’t mean I have a crush on him.”

“I love that album, too.” Cat quickly glanced over at Elena. “Maybe one evening we should play songs for each other.”

A big smile grew on her face. “I’d like that.”

Cat pulled the car into a parking space and they went inside.

“Cory used to work here and is still good friends with the owner,” Cat explained to Elena. Just then a man called her name and waved.

Cat took Elena’s hand and pulled her towards where the man stood behind the bar.

“This is Chris,” Cat said, smiling at the man. “Chris, this is my friend, Elena.”

“Hi,” Elena said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hi, Elena,” Chris said with a friendly smile. “Any friend of Cat’s is a friend of mine. Welcome to Betty’s.”

Elena immediately liked him. “Thank you. This is my first time here.”

Chris gave Cat an incredulous look. “Have you been keeping this beautiful woman all to yourself?”

Cat grinned at Elena. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

“Shame on you. Ladies, right this way,” Chris said, leading them to a table. “Okay, Elena. Now that you’re here, you don’t have to be with this one to get the best table at Betty’s. Just ask for me at the door,” he said with a wink. “Your server will be right with you.”

Cat chuckled and gave Elena another grin. “I think he thinks we’re together,” Cat said over the noise.

“We are,” Elena said as she leaned in. She couldn’t resist teasing Cat just a little or indulging the idea of them together.

“Right,” Cat nodded. “Like someone like you would go on a date with someone like me.”

“What does that mean?” Elena was surprised by Cat’s words. They had always seemed like equals since the day she walked into the bookstore.

Cat shrugged. “It’s hard to explain.”

“Try,” Elena said, leaning closer.

Cat sighed. “You’re a smart, accomplished, confident woman.”

“As are you,” Elena said.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. What about a tax accountant-cum-bookstore owner doesn’t scream smart and accomplished? Only a confident woman would leave one career for her dream career. So you see, Catarina Sloan, you’re talking about yourself.”

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