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Vi smiled at CeCe and could imagine her curling her dark hair or giving her an updo. “It's the day after tomorrow.”

“Perfect. I’ll block out the time. Come by and I’ll do your hair before you get dressed. Okay?”

“Thank you, CeCe. That’d be great,” Vi replied.

CeCe drained the rest of her beer and smiled. “The opening wouldn’t happen to be at the Kensington Gallery, would it?”

“It is,” Vi replied. “Gia Gallaher is the director and she’s amazing.”

“She certainly is. I’ve recently gotten to know her and her wife, Ella. Alexis and I may go if she doesn’t have an early surgery the next morning.”

“I met Ella when we were buying the shopping center,” Cory said. “Their real estate firm has a program for first time home buyers, but they kindly helped us since we’d never purchased a commercial property like this before.”

Vi chuckled. “Wow, it’s a small world.”

“Does it feel like we’ve been hovering around one another all these years and finally our paths have intersected?” Cory said with amazement in her voice.

“What do you mean?” CeCe asked.

“Well, Violet was probably the sales rep at some of the bars I worked at. We both work out at Your Way, but didn’t cross paths until volleyball started back. And we even know some of the same people,” Cory explained.

“It does.” Vi stared at Cory and shook her head. “I’m so glad I walked into this store.”

“I’m glad I opened this store.”

“It’s our time,” Vi said, reaching for Cory’s hand.

“I’m going to sneak away. Again, don’t mind me,” CeCe said with a grin.

“I’m sorry, CeCe. I feel like a new person. For all this time I had to think of Cory as my adversary and now I can let my true feelings out. Your sister is amazing.”

“Oh, don’t I know it.” CeCe grinned.

“Thank you for offering to do my hair,” Vi said.

“I’ll get your contact info from Cory and text you,” CeCe said. “Y’all have a nice evening.”

“Bye, CeCe.”

“How was your day?” Cory asked, coming around the bar and sitting next to Vi.

Vi leaned over and kissed Cory thoroughly. “It was very productive,” she said, pulling away a little breathless.

“Wow,” Cory said, inhaling deeply. “I wish I could leave with you right now.”

Vi chuckled. “Are you closing tonight?”

Cory frowned. “Yep, Taylor needed off early.”

Vi gently cupped the side of Cory’s face. “Would you like some help?”

The corners of Cory’s mouth immediately turned up into a smile. “You want to hang around here with me?”

“We’d be together,” Vi said. She leaned in a little closer. “And maybe I’ll steal a kiss or two.”

“I’d love it if you'd stay,” Cory said.

“Do I get one of those cute Liquor Box T-shirts?”