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Cory was looking forward to her next volleyball practice more than ever.

7

Vi was excited for her game this evening. Her team was getting better and better with each game. They were getting to know one another and it showed on the court. The team they were supposed to play tonight was one of the better teams in the league and she couldn’t wait.

Before she went into the gym she stopped by the dressing room to use the restroom. As she looked into the mirror she thought of Cory Sloan. She had seen her at nearly every practice and at both of the games her team had played so far. It seemed that Cory’s team either played before or after hers every week.

Vi’s cool attitude towards Cory hadn’t deterred her in the least. They had been practicing for almost three weeks and Cory always made a point to seek her out. She would say hello and ask about her day. They hadn’t seen each other at any of the bars or restaurants Vi was trying to persuade to buy from her, but she knew Cory was around.

Her persistence was kind of adorable. So much so that Vi looked forward to Cory’s efforts to get her to stop and talk for a moment. Vi had noticed that Cory was also a very good volleyball player. Their teams were on a collision course to meet each other soon for the lead in the league standings. But first, both teams had to get through their games tonight.

Cory’s team played right after Vi’s game this evening and she thought about hanging around after her game to watch for a little while.

“Hey, Vi,” Olivia said, coming into the dressing room. “Are you ready?”

“I am,” Vi said, taking her bag and slinging it over her shoulder.

Vi spiked the ball down and heard a thud as her team cheered. That was game point and they’d not only won the game but the match as well. Her team huddled excitedly then lined up to slap the other team's hands in a show of sportsmanship.

She grabbed her bag and left the bench area to get out of the way as the next team got ready to play. A few of her teammates were sitting in the bleachers behind the bench and getting drinks when Cory came running up to her in a frenzy.

“Violet, what size shoe do you wear?” Cory asked hurriedly.

“Uh—an eight,” Vi replied, wondering what Cory was up to this time.

“Please, please, please will you let me borrow your shoes? When I packed my bag this morning, I thought mine were in my truck, but they aren’t. I’ve asked everyone and their shoes are either too small or too big,” Cory said frantically.

Vi looked down at Cory’s feet. She had on socks and no shoes. She knew that Cory oftentimes wore tennis shoes to work so she met Cory’s eyes with a skeptical look.

“I had a presentation this afternoon, so I wore my nice shoes. Please, Vi,” Cory pleaded.

The look on Cory’s face coupled with those desperate blue eyes thawed Vi’s usual standoffish attitude towards her. Vi had talked herself into viewing Cory as her rival so she could stick with her plan to outsell her in the area. She knew Cory’s affable personality and those friggin’ gorgeous eyes would be her undoing if she didn’t.

“Please,” Cory asked again softly.

Vi looked into those clear blue eyes and wanted to jump in, but instead she started to take her shoes off and gave them to Cory.

“Oh God, Violet. Thank you so much!” Cory exclaimed as she began to put the first shoe on and lace it up.

“They’re probably sweaty. I just got through with a game,” Vi said, handing her the other shoe.

“They’re perfect,” Cory said, tying the other shoe. She squeezed Vi’s forearm. “Thank you so much.” Cory hopped up then she stopped and looked down at Vi.

“I can bring them to you when my game is over,” Cory said.

“I planned to stay and watch for a little while.”

Cory smiled. “Oh, I get it. Scouting out your competition.”

“Watch it,” Vi warned. “I’ll take my shoes back.”

Cory smiled. “If you don’t want to stay, I can bring them to you after my game.”

“Just go play and don’t worry about the shoes,” Vi said with a genuine smile.

Cory started to run onto the court, but stopped and gave Vi a hopeful look.

“What?”