“Thank you so much for today,” Vi said. “We’ve had the best time.”

“It isn’t over yet,” Melanie said with a wink.

“You are welcome here anytime. We mean it,” Krista said.

Vi watched them walk away and wistfully said, “They are amazing.”

“Yeah, they are. I’d love to hear their story someday. I know they met right here when they were young, but then were apart for some reason.”

“It had to have something to do with being accepted as gay women, don’t you think?”

“Probably.”

“But,” Vi said, turning to Cory, “I want what they have someday. Can you imagine going through life with the woman you love for years and years and years?”

Cory smiled. “I want that, too. But slow down on the years and years part. Let’s enjoy this day.”

“Are you my forever, Cory Sloan?” Vi asked sweetly.

They locked eyes and before Cory could answer, Vi pressed her lips to Cory’s in a tender kiss. “Let’s swim one more time before we have to go home,” she said as they pulled apart.

* * *

“This has been the best day and the best date,” Cory said as she drove them back to Vi’s house.

“For me, too. There’s a lot to be said for not holding back, but it’s a little scary being that vulnerable. What if you didn’t feel the same way?”

“You just thought you were going to bulldoze me with your feelings.” Cory grinned and glanced over at Vi.

“God, it feels good to be on the same team. I kept trying to make you my enemy, but I just couldn’t do it.” Vi reached for Cory’s hand and kissed the back of it.

“I’d much rather be your lover,” Cory said, wiggling her eyebrows.

Vi laughed. “Me, too.”

Cory pulled into Vi’s townhouse parking lot.

“I really want you to spend the night, but I know we won’t get much sleep and we both have work tomorrow,” Vi said.

Cory groaned. She knew Vi was right, but that didn’t stop her from not wanting to let her go.

“You don’t have to be afraid to let me out of your sight,” Vi said.

Cory turned towards Vi and looked into her eyes. “It’s not that. Is this too good to be true? How do I know you won’t wake up in the morning and your career will once again be your focus and we’ll be…”

Vi smiled. “My career is important to me, but now it’s not all I have. There’s no way I want to go back to the way it was. This may have been our first date, but we’ve been orbiting around each other for months, Cory. You made the effort to say hello, ask about my day, and slowly win my trust.”

“It was so worth it.”

“I’m not about to let you go.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?’ Cory asked.

“I’m going to work on those other accounts you gave me. What are you doing?”

“I’ll be at the store.”

“Then I’ll probably go by The Liquor Box to see my girlfriend.” Vi grinned.