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“This thing keeps going and going,” Alexis said, holding the vibrator in her open palm.

“Uh, there are so many things I could say.” Cory chuckled.

“Oh, I’m sure there are. Doc, this is my big sister, Cory, the proud owner of The Liquor Box,” CeCe said, making the introduction.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Alexis said, holding out the hand that still held the vibrator. She quickly emptied her hand and offered it to Cory.

“You’re the doctor CeCe speaks so highly of,” Cory said, shaking Alexis's hand.

Alexis glanced at CeCe and could see her face flaming from the awkwardness of the entire scene.

“What?” Cory said innocently. “I didn’t say you have a crush on her.”

“Oh my God,” CeCe muttered. “Cory! Alexis is my client. Be respectful.”

“I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Cory said, turning to Alexis. “I’m happy to meet you and glad you could come to our open house. Come by the store and I’ll send you home with a nice bottle of wine.”

“Wow, you Sloan sisters know how to show a girl a good time. First a little toy,” Alexis said, holding up the vibrator, “and now a bottle of wine to go with it. Thank you.”

“Is that the one you want?” CeCe asked quietly.

“I’ll let you know how I like it,” Alexis said, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Oh my God! Kill me now,” CeCe said, looking up at the ceiling.

Alexis and Cory both laughed.

“Come on,” CeCe said to Alexis. “We’ll let you have the room, Cory.” CeCe took the vibrator from Alexis and put it into a box then walked to the door.

Once in the hall Alexis bumped her shoulder against CeCe’s. “You’re awfully cute when you get flustered.”

CeCe put her hands over her cheeks and groaned.

They walked back over to the salon and Alexis got her purse. “Why don’t you walk me out?” she said, and CeCe nodded. Once the door closed behind them Alexis slowly led them to her car. “So, what about this crush?”

CeCe sighed. “It’s just a little crush,” she said, holding her finger and thumb close together while singing the line from the Jennifer Paige song.

Alexis watched as CeCe got her swagger back. “I see.”

“A little crush makes for some fun flirting. Don’t you think so?”

Alexis looked into CeCe’s eyes and held her gaze. A smirk turned into a smile and she nodded. “This has been fun, CeCe. But I always have a good time with you.”

“Me too, Doc.”

Alexis patted the side of CeCe’s face and got into her car. “Tell Cory I’ll come by and get that bottle of wine another time.”

CeCe stood there smiling as Alexis backed out of her parking space. She hit the brakes when CeCe motioned for her to stop.

“You have to think of me when you use your new toy.” CeCe winked and walked back to the curb.

“You’ve definitely got your swagger back,” she mumbled to herself.

* * *

It had been a while since a woman had grabbed Alexis's attention, but whatever that was between her and CeCe at the open house was still on her mind.

At forty-five, Alexis wasn’t looking for anything. She’d been married for a short time in her twenties and although it was an amicable split, the sense of failure still stung. Every so often she would indulge herself and have a fling. She was attracted to both men and women, but in the last few years only women had seemed to catch her eye.