Page 26

Cory leaped in the air and slammed the ball down on the other side of the net. “Damn,” Vi said under her breath. A smile played at the corners of her mouth as she thought about playing against Cory. It would be fun.

Vi leaned against the row behind her and began to watch Cory’s moves. She was always watching the ball and Vi could tell she instinctively knew where she was on the court at all times. When Cory was at the net she was ready to block the opponent’s ball and when she was in the back she was ready to play defense and pick up any balls that reached her.

As Vi watched Cory, her appreciation for her athletic skills grew. She could see the muscles in Cory’s legs flex and release as she jumped, which was beautiful to watch. Vi caught herself wondering what it would feel like to run her hand up those toned legs.

It made Vi wonder, if they could be friendly opponents on the court, why couldn’t they be that way in business? Or were Cory’s attempts at friendliness just a ploy to get Vi to back off her efforts in selling in this area?

The big question was why did Vi seem so drawn to Cory Sloan? She had made Cory out to be some kind of villain in her head because she was afraid of the feelings Cory stirred inside her. She remembered walking into The Liquor Box the day of their open house and locking eyes with Cory. Something had shifted inside her.

As these thoughts drifted through her brain, the ball careened off one of Cory’s teammates and was headed out of the court. Cory hurried to hit the errant ball back into the court, but her forward momentum carried her towards where Vi sat.

Vi reached out her arms and caught Cory before she slammed into the bleacher.

“Fuck!” Cory exclaimed. “That would’ve hurt.”

Vi could feel Cory’s hands clutching her upper arms as she pulled away. “Thanks for catching me.”

Those bright blue eyes sparkled at Vi and all she could do was smile.

Cory hurried back onto the court even though the play had ended. She looked back over at Vi and grinned.

Vi shook her head and continued to smile. “Be careful, Violet,” she muttered to herself.

Cory’s team dominated the rest of the game and they won the match. Vi watched as she shook the other team members’ hands and quickly grabbed her water bottle for a drink. Cory walked over and sat in the row in front of Vi.

“You were my lifesaver today, Violet. Thanks.”

There she goes calling me Violet again. “I’m not sure I’d go that far,” Vi said.

“It’s true. You let me borrow your shoes and then saved me from slamming into the bleachers.”

“Hmm,” Vi said, furrowing her brow. “We play your team next week. Maybe I should’ve let you run into the bleachers after all.”

Cory quickly looked up at her, but Vi gave her a playful smile.

“Aw, you wouldn’t do that.” Cory grinned. “You want to play me next week, don’t you?”

Vi chuckled. “You know it!”

Cory laughed as she untied one of Vi’s shoes. “I can’t wait. Are you this competitive in everything?”

“What do you think?”

Cory took off Vi’s other shoe and held them in her hands. “I think I need to leave my shoes at home more often because at least it made you talk to me.”

Vi scoffed. “I talk to you every time I see you. You make sure of it!”

Cory shrugged. “Can you blame me?’

Vi smirked. Was Cory flirting with her?

“Can I ask you something, Violet?”

“Vi,” she corrected Cory.

Cory smiled. “Why is Spec’s suddenly interested in the bars and restaurants in this area? Is this your new sales territory?”

Vi studied Cory for a moment. “Let me ask you, Corrine.” Vi saw Cory’s eyes light up with amusement. “Do you know someone at every bar and restaurant in this area?”