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“Forgot your shoes! You always have a pair of workout shoes in your pickup,” CeCe said.

“I had to try something.” Cory grinned. “She opened up a little and I found out why she’s selling in this area. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to make it work for both of us.”

“I don’t think you’re telling us everything. Why do you want her to be your friend so badly?” Cat asked.

Cory shrugged.

“Come on,” CeCe coaxed her.

“It’s the way she looks at me,” Cory said softly.

CeCe and Cat exchanged a look. “It’s okay, sis,” CeCe said. “As someone who is madly in love, sometimes all you need is a look. You don’t need words.”

Cory smiled. “I just don’t want her to see me as her enemy.”

“You may be when you step onto the volleyball court,” CeCe said.

“I don’t think so. I think we’re both competitors and like a challenge. That’s how I’m looking at it,” Cory said.

“If both of you are playing this week then I think the family needs to support you. Mom and I will be there. How about Alexis?”

“Oh, she’ll be there if I’m there,” CeCe said with a big smile.

“Do you do anything apart?” Cory exclaimed.

“You’re just jealous. You’ll see someday.”

Cory chuckled and topped off their glasses. “Maybe we need another toast,” she said. “Your happily ever after toast when we opened seems to be working for you.”

“Give it time, sisters. It’ll work for all of us.”

9

“Hi Mama´,” Vi said as she connected the call.

“Hello, honey. Are you driving?”

“Yes ma’am, I’m on my way to the gym. I have an important volleyball game this evening.”

“Oh? Why is this game so important?”

“My team is in a tie with the team we’re playing, so the winner will move into first place in the league,” Vi explained.

“I wish I could be there to cheer you on to victory!”

Vi laughed. “I wish you could, too. I’ll need your help because the other team has a very good player.” Vi was suddenly carried back in time to those games her parents couldn’t attend because they had to be at the store.

“Are you forgetting that my daughter is also a very good player?” Josie said. “I’m sure this woman isn’t better than you.”

“I don’t know, she’s pretty good.”

“It sounds like you know this woman,” Josie observed.

“It does?”

“Yes, I can hear the respect in your voice for her.”

“I do know her—well, kind of,” Vi began. “She has a liquor store not far from the gym.”