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It wasn’t that Vi wasn’t friendly, she was simply a more reserved person than the outgoing Cory Sloan. But every time they locked eyes she felt something tingle in her body and flutter in her stomach.

“You’re staring at me,” Cory said with a quick glance towards Vi.

“I am. Does it make you uncomfortable?”

“I guess it all depends on what you see.”

“I see a woman who goes after what she wants,” Vi said.

“That sounds a lot like you, Violet. Maybe we’re more alike than we are different,” Cory said.

Is she reading my mind? “I’m not sure what you’re expecting or what you want, Cory.”

Cory glanced over at her again and smiled. “I want you to be comfortable with the idea that I can be your friend. I’m not your enemy; I never was, even though that’s how you saw me.”

“I’m beginning to see you as more than my friend,” Vi said softly.

Cory smiled at her and pulled into a parking place. “In this moment, we’re on the same team.” She reached out her hand. “Let’s go sell.”

Vi looked at Cory’s hand and weaved their fingers together. She squeezed her hand and looked into those beautiful blue eyes. “Let’s go.”

13

After introducing Vi to Bob and Freda, Cory looked on and listened. She was in awe of how quickly Vi had assessed their needs and come up with a plan to get them the best prices on spirits with delivery included. She wondered what else Vi would’ve come up with if she’d had time to research the steakhouse and their customer base.

It was mesmerizing watching her. Vi was in her element. She had once told Cory she didn’t have the same kind of relationships Cory did with her customers, but that wasn’t altogether true. Cory could see how much Vi cared and believed she genuinely wanted to partner with Sweetie Pie’s to make them all successful.

“This plan sounds so much better than what we’re currently doing with our alcohol deliveries,” Bob said.

“Would you feel better if we tried it for a couple weeks before we put you on a regular delivery schedule?” Vi asked.

“That’s gracious of you to offer, but I think we should just do it,” Freda said. “We’ve known Cory for a long time and if she brought you here then we know we can trust you.”

“This is better than I expected,” Bob said.

“Oh, I’m glad. We want you as customers, but we’re really in this together. If you’re profitable then we are too,” Vi said with what Cory liked to call her killer smile.

“Vi, I feel like I know you from somewhere,” Freda said. “Do you do any work with kids?”

Vi smiled. “Yes, I do. I work with an after-school youth program several times a month.”

Cory widened her eyes and smiled at Vi. “You do?”

Freda clapped her hands. “That’s where I recognize you from. My granddaughter attends that youth center. She loves it.”

Vi nodded. “I run programs on respect for alcohol, but also on respect in general. I especially try to work with the kids on being tolerant and accepting of others who are different from them.”

“That’s amazing,” Cory said.

“We try to create an environment where all the kids feel safe and can speak out about anything happening at school or in their home lives. Sometimes they simply need a space to vent. We’ve all been there, needing to say the words out loud in a safe space.”

“Exactly,” Bob said. “It’s also nice for the kids to have a place to go after school.”

“Yeah, they have someone there every day after school and have different programs on the weekends,” Vi said.

“Well, let me say thank you. That’s a good thing you’re doing,” Freda said.

Vi gave her a shy smile.