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Vi waited until Talia had walked to the other end of the bar before leaning over. “What’d you wish for?”

Cory took the paper off the cupcake and held it up to Vi. “Do you want a bite?”

Vi looked at the cupcake then into those blue eyes. How are they so blue?

When Vi paused Cory leaned over the bar and reached for a knife. She cut the cupcake into four pieces and handed one to Vi.

“Thank you. Happy birthday.”

Cory put a piece of the cupcake in her mouth. “Mmm, this is good.”

“It is.” Vi swallowed then took a sip of her beer. “Your wish?”

Cory chuckled. “I wished that we could be friends, Violet.”

“What?”

“It’s a lot harder to undercut a friend,” Cory explained.

“Oh, Cory. That’s business. It’s not personal,” Vi said firmly.

“I have feelings about my business and my customers, Violet. Don’t you?”

The way Cory stared at Vi with those blue eyes and the way she said Violet sent shivers through her. “Cory… I…” Vi stammered. Why couldn’t she seem to talk around this woman?

Cory leaned in a little closer. “Are you here to try and get Talia’s business?”

Vi nodded. “I was, but I can see that’s not going to happen.”

“Were you planning to stay around for a while?”

Vi shrugged. She kind of liked this back and forth with Cory.

“Talia might not be as nice when she gets finished bartending.”

Vi raised her brows. “I thought you said she wasn’t your girlfriend. Will she get jealous?”

“She used to be my girlfriend a long time ago, but she’s still very protective when someone does me wrong,” Cory said, raising one shoulder.

Vi sighed in exasperation. “I’m not doing anything to you.”

Cory smiled, obviously enjoying Vi’s discomfort.

“Ugh,” Vi groaned. She reached in her pocket and was about to throw money on the bar when Cory put her hand over hers.

“It’s okay, Violet. I’ve got you.”

Vi froze when Cory’s hand wrapped around hers.

* * *

Cory watched Vi slowly get up after she’d let her hand go. “Don’t forget my present,” she said with a grin.

Vi scoffed. “Happy birthday, Cory.”

“Maybe my wish will come true.” Cory got the feeling that Vi didn’t really want to leave, but she knew Talia wouldn’t ease up on the snarky comments.

As Vi walked away Cory followed her with her gaze. Those dark brown eyes. I could fall into those eyes if I didn’t think she’d drown me. Cory chuckled to herself. Violet Valdez was cunning and Cory thought she could be quite charming when she wanted to be. She wanted nothing more than to stop Cory’s wholesale business, but then she wished her a happy birthday.