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“I think you know what I mean.”

“I like Cory very much.”

“And?” Josie said, drawing the word out.

Vi giggled. “Yes, Mama´, I’m in love with Cory Sloan. You can be too much sometimes!”

Josie’s laughter echoed through Vi’s car. “I know you, honey. You’re my daughter.”

“That I am,” Vi said. “I’ve got to go, Mom.”

“Have fun with Cory.”

Vi chuckled. “Bye.”

She wasn’t surprised her mom could tell she was in love with Cory. Vi felt it in her entire being. It came through when she talked about Cory and she was sure people could probably tell by just looking at her. Vi certainly felt it when Cory looked at her. There was something in those blue eyes. When they met hers they said, “I love you.”

* * *

“Every time I walk in here, you two are staring at that computer. Do you plan to sell liquor to everyone in the metroplex?” CeCe asked as she stood in the doorway to Cory’s office.

Cory looked up at her and smiled. “That’s not all we do in here.” She put her finger on Vi’s chin and turned it towards her, giving her a sweet kiss.

“Back rooms in the Sloan sisters’ stores, you’d better watch out,” CeCe muttered.

“We have opened so many new accounts I may have to hire a salesperson to help me with our wholesale business. The Liquor Box is thriving!”

“It should be, you’ve been doing this for weeks now. Mom is on my ass to have everyone over for Sunday lunch. She’s complaining because she never sees you unless she comes into the stores,” CeCe said.

Cory shrugged. “We’ve been busy.” She glanced at Vi and raised her eyebrows.

“Busy? Let’s see, you’ve been going dancing and I’m sure you’ve checked out a few bars, oh,” CeCe said, “and there’s the lake.”

“It’s too cold to go to the lake,” Vi said.

“Well, you’re going somewhere.”

“Just because you and Alexis prefer to stay home doesn’t mean Violet and I have to. We love to dance,” Cory said. “It’s like making love with your clothes on.”

Vi draped her arm across Cory’s shoulders. “That’s a perfect way to describe it. You and Alexis should give it a try, CeCe.”

“We’ll teach you,” Cory offered.

“Maybe you should talk to Marina about finding you a house then you’d know why home sweet home can be so much fun,” CeCe suggested.

Cory looked over at Vi and grinned. “Ella is actually keeping us in mind if she comes across something.”

“Really?” Vi asked.

“Yeah, a few weeks ago when we went to that opening together—” Cory began.

“Oh yeah, I did your hair. Y’all looked so good,” CeCe said.

“Thank you,” Vi replied.

“Anyway, Ella said we looked like we belonged together and she’d be looking for a house for us,” Cory said.

“Oh, that’s great. I never know if y’all are staying at Vi’s or at your place.”