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“Good luck, but I know you don’t need it. You're the best there is.” Penny smiled.

“Thanks, Penny. You know, praising the boss isn’t part of your job.”

Penny smirked. “It can’t hurt,” she said over her shoulder as she walked away.

Vi smiled and went back to her computer. She’d pulled up a map and studied the bars and restaurants in the area she’d been working. Her eyes were drawn to The Liquor Box. Vi had visited a couple of bars this week that bought their spirits and beer from the new liquor store. They listened to her pitch, but weren’t willing to give her a try just yet. Sometimes it took several visits before they’d buy an initial order.

Vi got her things together. She planned to go by one of the bars this evening and have a drink. Sometimes she could get a better idea of what the bar needed during their busier times.

The bar she was going to tonight was on her way home. She’d talked to a man and a woman who she found out were the owner and previous owner when she was there earlier in the week. When she gave them the wholesale price on several popular liquor brands, the woman didn’t even bat an eye. She explained her loyalty to their current supplier, who Vi was pretty sure was Cory Sloan, but Vi wasn’t sure what the woman’s role was as the previous owner. However, Vi could tell she’d gotten the current owner’s attention when she listed what brands she would price at a very low rate for him as a new customer.

She pulled into the parking lot and noticed there were several cars there. It was Friday evening, so business usually picked up.

Vi looked up at the sign and smiled. She liked the name of this place. It was simple: Betty’s. She walked in and found an empty seat at the end of the bar. She could see the front door as well as most of the tables from her barstool. The bartender came over and she ordered a beer on tap. Vi knew she could nurse the beer for a while while she got an idea of what the bar sold.

She hadn’t been there long when she saw Cory Sloan walk in with several friends. They gathered around a large table and the waitress hugged Cory as she took their orders. Vi overheard the waitress tell the bartender the group was celebrating Cory’s birthday. After a few moments the owner came out from the back and went over to Cory’s table and hugged her as well.

Vi couldn’t keep from smiling as more people joined the group. They all obviously loved Cory. She thought about sending Cory a drink, but Cory didn’t even know who she was.

“Well, hello. I didn’t see you over here.”

“Hi, Chris,” Vi said to the owner. “I thought I’d come by and see if you’d thought about my offer. I also wanted to get an idea of what you sell and maybe I can tailor a better plan for you.” Vi gave him her best smile.

Vi watched him smile and look over at Cory’s table of raucous friends.

“They’re having a great time,” Vi commented.

“Yeah, do you see the blond at the end of the table?”

Vi nodded, knowing he was talking about Cory.

“She and I started working here together over twenty years ago. Tomorrow is her birthday and she chose to bring her friends here,” Chris said, still gazing at Cory. He looked back at Vi and smiled. “She now owns a liquor store and supplies all our beverages.”

Vi took a sip of her beer.

“Your prices are lower than Cory’s, but Ms. Valdez, price isn’t everything.”

Vi smiled. “I get that, Chris. If you change your mind just give me a call.”

“This one is on me,” Chris said, nodding at Vi’s beer. “You’re welcome to stay and come back anytime, but I assure you, Violet, I won’t change my mind.”

Vi watched Chris walk away and go back to Cory’s table. She wouldn’t get Betty’s business so she may as well go home, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Cory and her friends. They were having such a good time. Vi had been so focused on work the last few years she didn’t have friends outside the people she worked with. The only time she had drinks out was when she was trying to close a deal with a new client, just like tonight.

Vi sipped her beer and imagined what it would be like to be at that table. There was so much laughter and Cory was the center of attention. Vi could hear Cory laughing all the way over to where she was sitting at the bar. What a nice laugh.

Vi decided she’d been eavesdropping long enough. She left money on the bar and made her way towards the door, but before she walked through it, she glanced at Cory one more time. “Happy birthday,” Vi muttered under her breath and left Betty’s.

* * *

“What’s the matter?” Cat asked as they all walked out of Betty’s.

“I’m seeing things,” Cory replied, shaking her head. “I thought I saw that woman from Spec’s who’s trying to ruin my life.”

“So, you’re going to be more dramatic at forty-four.” Brandy laughed. “I’m sure she’s not trying to ruin your life.”

“It feels like it. We’ve poured our lives into these businesses and it’s important to get a good start.”

“As I stated earlier, you are the sweetest Sloan sister, so charm the woman,” Brandy said.