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“Or is it sexy CeCe smelly,” Cory added.

CeCe rolled her eyes. “Thank God, my next appointment just walked in. Y’all go back to your own stores. I’m sure someone needs you. Hi, Pam,” CeCe said, greeting her client.

5

CeCe backed out of her driveway and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her blue eyes were sparkling and her red hair fell in soft curls just below her shoulders. She smiled to herself and winked. “You’ve got this, Cecilia.”

On the drive to the bar she couldn’t help but think back to the conversation with her sisters. Did Alexis want her or were they just playing around? She could feel such a pull towards Alexis and she couldn’t get the image of her lips out of her head since their near kiss. What was she doing? She was out of Alexis's league no matter what her sisters said. But maybe they could have a fun little fling that wouldn’t do any harm. Couldn’t they? There was that pesky little problem of Alexis being her client, though.

CeCe felt a flutter in her stomach as she walked up to the bar. Just thinking about Alexis made her smile. She was about to open the door when she heard her name.

“CeCe,” Alexis called to her as she walked up. “What a sexy little smile. What were you thinking about?”

“Hmm, I reserve the right to reveal my thoughts later,” CeCe said stealthily.

Alexis smiled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

CeCe laughed. “I’m sure you will.” She turned to open the door. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“I am, too,” Alexis said, adding a little extra swing to her hips and wiggle of her eyebrows as she walked by.

Alexis had on a pair of jeans that looked like they were made just for her. They probably were. Was there anything this woman didn’t look sexy in, CeCe wondered.

CeCe chuckled. “Dangerous,” she mumbled to herself. “Hey,” she said, reaching for Alexis's wrist and stopping her.

Alexis turned around and CeCe momentarily lost her breath. She felt like Alexis was looking right into her soul and reading every thought she’d ever had. “Uh,” she stammered.

“Yes?” Alexis said, tilting her head.

“Uh, I...” CeCe shook her head and finally words began to tumble out of her mouth. “You look gorgeous, Doc, and it’s obviously made me speechless.”

Alexis smiled. “Thank you,” she said softly. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she added, leaning in a little closer.

Fuck, we’re in trouble. “You can’t believe anything my sisters tell you tonight. They will try to embarrass me.”

“Don’t worry, CeCe. You’ve already told me the stories about you are only half true, right?” Alexis grinned.

CeCe nodded. She realized she was still holding Alexis's wrist and she started to pull them both back out the door and to someplace where she could kiss this woman silly, but she thought better of it.

“They won’t scare me away,” Alexis added.

“Hey, CeCe! Over here,” Amber called from a table near the bar.

She and Alexis walked over and CeCe made introductions. Amber, Ryan, and Heather were all there from the salon and sat at one end of the table. On the other end sat Cory, smiling from ear to ear.

“Hi, Alexis. So glad you could make it,” Cory said.

“Happy birthday! And thanks for inviting me,” Alexis replied.

“Hi, Alexis,” Cat said from across the table. “This is Jessica; she works with me,” Cat continued, “and this is Taylor. She works with Cory.”

“Hi, Taylor,” Alexis said. “We met the other night.”

“That’s right. You came in with CeCe. It’s nice to see you again,” Taylor said pleasantly.

“I think you’ve met everyone,” CeCe said, looking around the table. “Oh, wait. This is Brandy. She grew up with us and for some reason she still likes hanging out with us.”

“Ha ha,” Brandy deadpanned. “It’s nice to meet you, Alexis. The Sloan sisters have saved me a time or two.”