Elena groaned. “You know I’m not like that! I mean, where did that come from?”

15

Nicolas stood up and walked over to sit on the loveseat next to Elena. He smiled and took her hand. “You care about Cat.”

“Yes, I know that. I’m so mad because Hattie took a piece of Cat’s confidence with her and I want her to find it again. She has the biggest heart and so much love to give, but she’s afraid to trust herself.”

“What happened when Cat said that she’s never getting married?”

Elena shook her head. “Alexis told her to open her heart. She said she didn’t think she’d ever love anyone again or get married, and look at her now.”

Nicolas smiled. “They’re a great couple.”

“CeCe once told me that when she and Alexis started dating, she didn’t think she would fit into Alexis’s world.”

Nicolas nodded. “She mentioned that to me.”

“She said Alexis didn’t try to tell her that she fit, she simply kept loving her every day and showed her.”

Nicolas stared at Elena. “That’s your answer.”

Elena’s brows came together in confusion. “The answer?”

“Let’s be truthful, shall we? You have feelings for Cat Sloan. You’re falling in love with her.”

Elena scoffed.

“Hear me out,” Nicolas said, grabbing both her hands. “You want to beat up her ex, you want her to find love and be happy. Those are things you’d want for someone you love.”

“Of course I love Cat. How could I not? We spend a lot of time together.”

“Un uh.” Nicolas shook his head. “There’s a difference between love and in love.”

Elena sighed and slumped against the couch. “I don’t know how it happened. One day she’s my best friend and the next I’m imagining her in one of her sexy bras.”

“Umm…”

“That’s too much information.”

They sat quietly for a few moments before Nicolas smiled and said, “You don’t know what happened? Let me give you the play by play. You go see her every day. She spends most evenings with you in this beautiful room. I know you don’t just sit in here and read. You share yourselves with each other through your conversations, your time, and your touches. And now your hearts are beginning to talk.”

Elena shook her head. “She doesn’t feel the same way.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because she said it tonight when she said she’d never get married.”

“That doesn’t mean she isn’t falling in love with you.”

Elena gave him a confused look.

“You would not be admitting to these feelings if I hadn’t pushed you. No one is pushing Cat. Don’t you think she could be just as confused as you are?”

She tilted her head. “I never thought about that.”

“Imagine how confused she must feel since she’s afraid to trust herself.”

“Oh,” Elena mumbled. “What do I do?”