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“We’d love that,” Vi replied.

“So, y’all have been dating for a while then,” Ella commented to Cory as Vi waited for their drinks.

“Not really. This is our second date,” Cory replied.

“No way,” Ella said.

“Why do you say that?”

“You look really comfortable with each other, like you’ve been together for a while,” Ella said.

“Well,” Vi said, handing Cory a glass of wine, “we didn’t exactly start out as friends.”

Cory smiled at Vi. “But that’s all been resolved.”

“Oh, really? Was there tension because of your jobs? Aren’t you competitors?” Gia asked.

Cory raised her brows. “Uh, you could say that, but we’ve come to an agreement.”

“A much better arrangement,” Vi added with a smile.

“Gia and I started out as friends, but I was a bit stubborn about taking it to the next step,” Ella said, putting her arm around Gia’s waist.

“Come to think of it, our first date was at my first opening,” Gia said.

“And two days later we were married,” Ella added.

Cory choked on the sip of wine she was trying to swallow. “You what?”

“That’s a story for another time, but suffice it to say, everything has turned out the way it should.” Ella smiled and lovingly placed her hand on Gia’s stomach.

“This place may be magical for y’all as well,” Gia said. “Come with me, Vi. I have something I think you’re going to love.”

“Where does the gallery get their liquor for openings like this?” Cory asked Ella as they trailed behind Vi and Gia.

“Vi helps her,” Ella said.

“Oh!” Cory said.

Vi looked over her shoulder at Cory and gave her a look.

“I’m not taking your account, babe,” Cory said.

Vi scoffed. “I know that.” She turned back around as they stopped at the group of paintings Gia had led them to.

Cory gazed at Vi. She didn’t care what was hanging on the wall because it couldn’t be more interesting or more beautiful than her girlfriend.

“Do you see those little crinkles around her eye when she smiles?” Cory said softly to Ella. “That means she really likes what she’s looking at. It’s genuine.”

“You know a lot about her for this to be just your second date. I’m thinking you went from enemies to lovers and kind of skipped the friends part,” Ella replied.

Cory grinned. “Our first date was at Lovers Landing at the lake. We got to spend the day together on a private beach. It was magical.”

“Oh, I know where you’re talking about. Y’all go all out for dates,” Ella said.

“It’s just worked out that way. Once we got around the business part of our relationship, everything fell into place. I couldn’t get Violet out of my head and never saw her as an enemy, but it was different for her. When we figured out how to stop competing, our feelings took over and talk about wonderful! Wow!” Cory could feel the love in her heart just talking about Vi, but watching her gaze at something she loved made it that much better.

“I’ll start looking for houses for y’all,” Ella said.