Page 49

“I like that part of you,” Alexis replied. “I feel like they wouldn’t mind if we didn’t show up for the party, but that could be something we do the next time we come to Lovers Landing.”

“Oh?” CeCe nodded. “Are you going to bring me back here?”

“Or you could bring me.”

CeCe shook her head. “You’re the one that makes the big bucks, Doc. These are your kind of people. You’d have to bring us.”

Alexis gave CeCe a confused look. “What do you mean? They wouldn’t take our money, we’re their friends.”

CeCe leaned in and kissed Alexis softly. “Let’s go check out the beach before we change our minds.”

Alexis took the beer CeCe handed her. They made their way down to the water and CeCe spread out two towels side by side that she’d grabbed on their way out of the cabin.

“How’s this?” she asked, plopping down on one of the towels.

“Just right,” Alexis replied sitting next to her.

They sipped their beers and looked out over the water. CeCe leaned over just enough to where Alexis's shoulder nestled against hers. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the simplicity of the moment. It seemed like she and Alexis were always in some kind of tug-of-war. The looks they shared challenged one another with a sexy smile or swing of the hips, sometimes a sultry eyebrow raise, so when they were finally alone they couldn’t wait to touch each other.

CeCe sighed and continued to look at the water. “So, you were married?”

“Mm hmm.” Alexis nodded, taking a sip of her beer. “It was so long ago, I barely remember it.”

“I’m sorry,” CeCe said softly.

Alexis looked over at her. “You’re sorry? Why are you sorry?”

CeCe met her gaze. “Because he hurt you. I’m sorry you were hurt.”

Alexis tilted her head and smiled. “You think he was an idiot?”

Shock covered CeCe’s face. “You heard me.”

Alexis nodded. “I promised myself I would never give my heart to someone like that again.”

“Oh, Lex,” CeCe said softly.

“That’s probably why I kept asking you about hook-ups in the back room of beauty salons. Casual sex doesn’t get your heart broken.”

“Yeah, but look at the love Krista and Melanie share. Don’t you want that?”

“My heart stopped feeling a long time ago.” Alexis sighed and looked into CeCe’s eyes. “It’s my turn to be honest. I’m not sure what this is between us, but I do know it’s more than just lust and sex. I can feel again.”

CeCe reached up and touched Alexis's cheek. “It feels like more than that to me, too.”

“It scares me, CeCe,” Alexis stated.

CeCe nodded. “We can be scared together.”

“Why are you scared?” Alexis asked softly.

CeCe scoffed. “Because, Lex, you may not have noticed but I’m just a hairstylist. You’re a brilliant, sought-after surgeon. I’m not the kind of person you date. I’m more like the girl you have casual sex with. You know, in the supply room of a hospital or the back room of a beauty salon.”

Alexis's mouth dropped open. “What? Why would you ever think that?”

CeCe shrugged and took a drink of her beer. “Because it’s true.”

“CeCe, that’s the farthest thing from the truth,” Alexis said with a concerned look on her face. “Have I ever made you feel like that?”