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Vi chuckled. “It’s okay, Cory. I know about the room with the vibrators.”

Cory put her hands over her face. “I don’t know why you knowing has me so flustered.”

Vi made a mental checkmark in her head of another adorable look on Cory Sloan’s face.

Cory took a deep breath and blew it out. “Now, you’ve decided to do the trade with me?”

“I have.”

“Oh, Violet! I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Those will be great accounts for you,” Cory said.

“I’m sure they will be, but I’m more excited about the other possibilities,” Vi said.

Cory raised her brows. “Other possibilities?”

“Mmhmm.” Vi nodded. “It almost feels like we’re on the same team.”

The sweetest smile spread across Cory’s face.

“Would you like to celebrate our new agreement after you get off work?” Vi asked with a hopeful look.

Cory winced. “I can’t.”

“Oh.” Vi stood a little taller as her stomach dropped.

“No, no, no. I want to, Violet. It’s just that I have to help with the proposal,” Cory explained. “The back room in CeCe’s salon is like a little living area. It’s a break room for the other stylists.”

“Like yours,” Vi said.

“Yeah, but CeCe fixed hers up. It’s really cute. Mine? Not so much. It’s a work in progress,” Cory said. “Anyway, the back room is special to CeCe and Alexis, so after they go to the bookstore and stop off at The Bottom Shelf…” Cory trailed off.

Vi chuckled. “I’m glad to see your cheeks aren’t bright red every time you say that.”

Cory smirked. “You’re so funny.”

“What are they doing after that?”

“Then they’re going to the back room and CeCe is proposing,” Cory said excitedly. “I’m supposed to give her long enough to do the proposal then bring champagne in to celebrate. CeCe has invited several of their friends to join them in an impromptu engagement party. Mom, Cat, Elena, and their co-workers and friends will be here soon.”

Vi could feel her heart warm with happiness. “Aw, how fun. That’s so sweet, Cory.”

Cory grinned. “I know. I’m so happy for CeCe. She’s always had this idea that she wasn’t good enough because she didn’t go to college like Cat and I did.”

“What? She went to beauty school! Believe me, I couldn’t do the things she does even if I went to school,” Vi said.

“I know! That’s what I’ve told her,” Cory said. “Anyway, Alexis was patient and showed her how much she loved her and wanted to be with her every day. CeCe finally began to believe her and now look at them. Happily ever after right in front of our eyes.”

“Aw, Cory Sloan, are you a romantic?”

“Through and through,” Cory admitted.

Vi smiled at Cory and once their eyes locked, neither of them looked away.

15

Someone cleared their throat. “Hi y'all.”

Vi tore her eyes away from Cory and smiled, recognizing the third Sloan sister. “Hi, Cat. I’d better get out of here. I heard about the big proposal and y’all have jobs to do.”