Page 46

“I guess we didn’t overstep after all, babe,” Krista said with relief in her voice.

“This is new for us,” Alexis continued. “But we’re figuring it out. Wouldn’t you say, CeCe?”

CeCe smiled and winked at Alexis. “So far, so good.”

Krista and Melanie laughed. “Good. We’re very happy you’re here,” Melanie said.

“We’ve had what I consider our first date, but I’m taking CeCe out for a real date next week,” Alexis shared.

“Oh? Tell us.” Krista dropped her chin and looked at them seriously. “You can see how invested we are in this.”

“I’m beginning to get that idea.”

“I was having a hard day and decided to go by the salon. Lucky for me, CeCe was just finishing up,” Alexis explained.

“You knew CeCe would make you feel better. That’s sweet,” Melanie said.

“All I did was take her next door and buy her ice cream,” CeCe said with a shrug.

“It was more than the ice cream and you know it,” Alexis admonished her. “I knew CeCe would make me feel better, but she surprised me in the way she did it.”

CeCe smiled. “It was an easy, laid-back moment.”

“Ah, a safe place to be vulnerable. I’m guessing you may have thought you knew what you wanted, but received something even better,” Melanie said.

“I did,” Alexis agreed.

CeCe gazed over at Alexis and thought back to that day. Alexis might have had sex on her mind, but CeCe had known that’s not what she’d needed. How’d I know that?

“I’m sure the daily stress that goes along with your job can weigh you down some days. It’s good to have a place or a person,” Krista said, looking at CeCe, “where you can let go and be yourself.”

“That’s what Lovers Landing is all about. We certainly understand that. I think we wanted to give y’all the time to connect, explore, and discover each other without the everyday pressures of life. This is a little escape for you,” Melanie explained.

“I don’t know what we did to deserve this, but I’m thankful you invited us,” CeCe said.

“Think of it as our chance to get to know you better, too. We’re still going to have a little party tonight. Julia and Heidi will be out later along with our friends Tara and Lauren.”

“Tara Holloway!” CeCe exclaimed. “I’m such a big fan. I love her movies.”

“She remembers you from the day you saved the photo shoot, CeCe,” Krista said.

“Really?” CeCe smiled.

“Oh, no. Does that mean a big-time Hollywood movie star is going to steal you away from me?” Alexis teased.

Melanie laughed. “Tara was once one of the biggest players in Hollywood, but that all changed when she met her wife, Lauren, right here at Lovers Landing.”

“They are both a lot of fun. We’ll have plenty of dancing, singing, and fun tonight.”

“I can’t imagine anyone, even Tara Holloway, could steal someone away from you, Alexis,” Krista said with a devilish smile.

“Especially when they only have eyes for you,” Melanie added.

Alexis looked over at CeCe and raised her brows. CeCe reached out her hand and waited for Alexis to take it. “No one is taking me away from someone I want to be with,” CeCe said.

13

Alexis felt CeCe’s bright blue eyes stare into hers. When CeCe looked at her that way it made a warmth spread through her body. She took a sip of her drink, hoping it would mask what was happening inside her.