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Cory laughed. “Only because you got us all in trouble.”

Brandy bumped her shoulder into Cat’s. “But we had a good time, didn’t we?”

Cat laughed. “As long as our parents didn’t find out.”

CeCe pulled out a chair for Alexis and sat down next to her. Just as they took their seats a waitress brought over a tray full of shots.

“Happy birthday to me!” Cory said, holding up her glass.

The entire table responded and downed their first shot.

As everyone took turns toasting Cory, Brandy and Cat entertained the group with stories from their youth to now.

“Hey,” Alexis said, leaning over near CeCe’s ear. “I’m the only client here. The rest of you work together.”

CeCe smiled. “That doesn’t matter. You know most of the people here and they like you.” CeCe furrowed her brow. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“Quite the opposite,” Alexis replied. “I’m feeling kind of special.”

“That’s because you are, Doc,” CeCe said, placing her hand on Alexis's arm.

“Come on, CeCe,” Taylor said. “It’s your turn for a story.”

“I can’t tell stories about my clients no matter how entertaining they might be.” CeCe chuckled.

“Sure you can,” Cat said. “You don’t have to name names.”

“What kind of stories has she told about me?” Alexis asked, raising her brows.

“Oh, I don’t know if we should tell you everything she says after you leave the salon,” Cory said.

CeCe gave her sister a desperate look, pleading with her eyes.

“She’s never had one bad thing to say about you, Alexis. There are some clients that she looks forward to seeing and you would be one of them,” Cory said earnestly.

“Besides, by the time she gets through with you, we all have to get a drink to cool down,” Ryan said. “She has you looking so hot, you melt the salon.” He reached over and touched Alexis's shoulder, pretending to get burned.

“Oh my God!” CeCe exclaimed.

Alexis threw her head back and laughed. “You are too much, Ryan. But,” she said, catching her breath, “you’re right. CeCe is magical.”

CeCe met Alexis's gaze and watched as her eyes went from amused to something else as they darkened.

“All of you are magical,” Cat said. “I don’t know how you do it, but everyone feels better after they’ve been to Salon 411.”

“I don’t know about that,” Amber said, chuckling. “Ask Misty Turner how she felt after I colored her hair.”

“Nope,” CeCe said firmly. “You tried to tell her it was going to be orange. She didn’t believe you.”

“Oh my,” Alexis said, widening her eyes.

“It happens, but rarely,” Amber commented.

“Yeah, most of the time the other stylists can make your client understand, but Misty just knew it would be the most beautiful shade of red.” Ryan laughed. “Like CeCe’s.”

CeCe smiled. “Before anyone asks, this is the real deal.” She swung her head from side to side as her hair flew around her shoulders.

“You’ve never colored it?” Alexis asked. “I thought you all had colored your hair at one time or another.”