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Christine smiled. “Now we get to meet Vi. This is the good part.”

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“Mom, be nice,” Cat said.

“I’m always nice. You know how much I love meeting your friends.”

Cat held out her hand for her mother as they traipsed down the bleachers and joined CeCe and Alexis.

They turned to watch Cory as she walked over with Vi.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Vi Valdez. Violet, this is my mom, Christine Sloan.”

Christine smiled warmly at Vi. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“You’re a good player. It was entertaining watching you and Cory try to outdo each other.” Christine leaned in a little closer. “Cory still thinks she’s an athlete, but…”

“Mom!” Cory exclaimed.

Vi chuckled. “It’s okay, Cory. I’m the same way.”

“Y’all should’ve been on the same team!”

“No way, Mom,” CeCe spoke up. “Then no one could beat them.”

“It’s okay, you’d be on our team!” Cory said to CeCe.

They all laughed.

“I know you just played against her, but this is my sister CeCe and her girlfriend Alexis,” Cory said.

“Hi, Vi. It’s nice to finally meet you,” CeCe said, raising her eyebrows.

Before Vi could respond, Cory said, “And this is my sister Cat, she owns the bookstore.”

“Oh right,” Vi said. “I’ve been meaning to stop in.”

“This is Elena Burkett,” Cory said. “I’d say you’re Cat’s friend, but you’re our friend too.”

“I spend a lot of time in the bookstore,” Elena said with a glance over at Cat.

“It’s nice to meet all of you,” Vi said.

“I’ve got to go, girls. It was a good game. Vi, it was nice to meet you. I hope to see you again,” Christine said. “Oh, and girls, I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Yes ma’am,” Cory, CeCe, and Cat responded in unison.

Elena glanced over at Cat and she rolled her eyes.

“We try to have Sunday lunch with Mom every week and we’ve missed the past few,” Cory explained.

“That’s nice,” Vi said.

Cory looked at her and smiled. “You’ll have to come with me some Sunday.”

“See y’all later,” CeCe said, grabbing Alexis’s hand and walking away.