Page 71 of Cat Sloan is Swirling

Cat scoffed. “It’s been over a year, Jessica. I doubt she wants to see me.”

“You know, I never told you this, but I’m proud of you.”

“Why?’

“I can’t imagine how hard it must have been when she walked out, and then you started a new business.”

“She left before you decided to open the bookstore?” Elena asked.

Cat nodded. “It was a couple of months before Cory spotted this building and came up with the idea for us to open the shopping center. This opportunity came around at just the right time. I needed to start new and look at what I have now.”

Elena smiled. “Jessica’s right. You should be proud.”

“What if she’s come back for you?” Jessica asked tentatively.

“It’s been over a year. I haven’t heard from her. Why would she all of a sudden come back to town for me?”

“She’s had time to find out what a big mistake she’s made.”

“I don’t think so, Jess. She had a new girlfriend less than a month after she moved out.”

“She what?” Elena exclaimed.

“I told you that. She was dating and had a girlfriend before I knew what hit me.”

“I didn’t realize it was so fast,” Elena mumbled.

“Yeah, it didn’t take her long to find someone new,” Cat said. She could still feel the pain in her chest from when a friend had told her about seeing Hattie with someone.

“She doesn’t any longer.”

Cat raised her brows then looked back at the computer. “It doesn’t matter whether she has a girlfriend or not. She probably came back because she wants her half of the house.”

“The house isn’t yours?” Elena asked.

Cat shook her head. “We bought it together. Of course, when she left she didn’t bother to keep paying her part of the mortgage.”

“I can’t believe that. She just left you with it?”

“Yeah and she wouldn’t discuss what to do about it.” Cat sighed. “I admit, I didn’t push it at first because I hoped we could work things out. As time went on, I texted her, I called her, but nothing.” Cat threw up her hands. “What was I supposed to do?”

“Wow, what a bitch,” Jessica said, shaking her head. “I had no idea. Do you have other things together?”

“No. Well, I guess some of the furniture could be considered hers. We bought a few things together.”

“What will you do if she’s come back for her part of the house?” Elena asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not able to buy her out right now. Most of my money is tied up in the bookstore. I guess we’ll sell it and I’ll find another place.”

“Don’t worry, Cat. We’ll find you an even better place. The best part is she’ll be gone and out of your life,” Jessica said.

Cat nodded but didn’t say anything. She wished she could get Hattie out of her life, but just when she felt like herself again, here she comes right back in to mess it all up.

“I’m going to hang my coat up in the back,” Jessica said.

“There’s a box of books I’ve already tagged into inventory. Would you put them on the shelves, please?”

“Sure thing,” Jessica said as she walked away.

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