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Cory smiled. “Come on, Violet. Welcome to The Liquor Box.”

“I’ve been here before, you know,” Vi said as she followed Cory inside.

“You’re my guest this time,” she said. “Hi Taylor, how are things going?”

“All good, boss. Did you win?”

“Sadly, we did not. This is the woman who had a lot to do with our defeat. Violet,” Cory said, smiling at her, “this is Taylor.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Vi said.

Taylor gave Cory a curious smile then turned to Vi. “Hi. Why are you beating up on my boss?”

Cory saw Vi’s eyes widen and she laughed. “She’s kidding, Violet.”

“Oh.” Vi leaned in and said, “Honestly, Taylor. It’s kind of fun. She makes the cutest faces when she’s losing.”

Taylor laughed as Cory felt her cheeks begin to turn red. It was Cory’s turn to be surprised. “Cute?”

Vi shrugged and grinned.

Cory sighed loudly then returned her grin. “We’ll be at the bar, Taylor.”

As they walked to the back, Cory noticed Vi glancing around the store. The idea that Vi thought she was cute floated around her head. “Have a seat,” Cory said, patting one of the bar stools.

“Thank you.” Vi sat down and twirled around.

Cory stopped, put both hands on the bar, and stared at Vi. “You’re pretty pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”

Vi laughed and the sound made butterflies flutter in Cory’s stomach. “Yes, I am. You have a good team, Cory. Is it so bad to want to win?”

“No,” Cory said with a grin. “This is one of my favorite summer drinks.” She reached for a cocktail shaker and added ice, then she poured in orange juice, cranberry juice, peach nectar, and grenadine syrup.

Cory could feel Vi watching her every move and suddenly she felt a bit nervous. She began to shake the drink and smiled at Vi. “Do you want to give it a shake?”

“Oh, no. You’re the bartender.”

“Come on. You can do it.” Cory handed the shaker to Vi.

She gave it a shake and then another. Cory watched as a big smile grew on Vi’s face. She was such a beautiful woman and that smile… Cory couldn’t keep from staring.

“Okay, let’s hope it comes out like it’s supposed to.” She placed a martini glass in front of Vi and slowly poured the drink into the glass.

“Oh, it’s pretty,” Vi murmured.

“Wait—” Cory worked a cherry and pineapple wedge onto a plastic skewer and gently placed it in the cocktail. “If you’ll notice, the skewer is a sword. It reminds me how you stabbed my heart with the volleyball earlier tonight.”

Vi laughed. “Oh my God, please. It was just a game.”

“Oh really! Then why were you playing like it was the Olympic finals?”

“Because I’m competitive,” Vi said. “Don’t you want me to try my best?”

Cory smiled. “Of course I do,” she replied while she prepared her drink.

“Can I taste this beautiful drink?”

“One more second,” Cory said, pouring hers into a glass. “Follow me.”