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“Come right this way.” The woman put her arm through CeCe’s and pulled her inside the house. CeCe looked over her shoulder at Alexis and grinned as the woman jabbered.

She led her to a large kitchen/family room area where several women were gathered around a large island. CeCe glanced to the back of the room and through the double doors and windows she could see three men listening to another man, who she assumed was Michael, talking and pointing at something in the backyard.

“We are so glad you are here,” the woman said, stopping at the end of the island.

“Oh no you don’t,” Alexis said, putting her arm around CeCe’s waist. “You may be hosting us, Lana, but I will introduce my girlfriend.”

CeCe looked over at Alexis with a wide smile and put her arm around Alexis's shoulders. She kind of liked this possessive little streak Alexis was showing.

“Yes, I did say girlfriend,” Alexis said to the group. “CeCe knows that I rarely bring dates to these parties so please don’t bore her with your stories.”

Several of the women laughed.

“First, we have Donna Nall, who is the person that keeps our clinic running. Without her, all of us would be lost. Next is Mary Hiatt. She is a doctor in our clinic who specializes in obstetrics,” Alexis said.

Both women nodded at CeCe as Alexis continued.

“This is Dawn and Tonya Castillo,” Alexis said, nodding at the two women holding hands.

Alexis tightened her hold around CeCe’s waist and pulled her a little closer. “I’m so happy to introduce all of you to this incredible woman.” Alexis broadly grinned. “This is CeCe Sloan.”

“Wow, honey.” CeCe patted Alexis on the shoulder after that introduction. She looked around the island at the women and smiled. “I’m so happy to meet all of you. I’m sure y’all don’t know how over-the-top Alexis can be at times.”

All of the women had a comment and laughed.

“By the way,” Lana said. “I don’t know how she could leave me out. I’m Lana Pierce.”

“I’m sorry, Lana. The way you whisked CeCe in here I thought you’d surely introduced yourself,” Alexis said playfully.

“Very funny.” Lana turned to CeCe and smiled. “You’ll meet the guys later, but for now, what can I get you both to drink?”

Lana got them both a glass of wine and apologized for her overzealous greeting.

“You have to understand that we are all so happy Alexis is finally dating someone,” Lana said.

“They don’t seem to comprehend that you can be happy if you’re single,” Alexis pointed out.

“Is that right?” CeCe asked. She couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease Alexis. “You seemed pretty happy introducing me as your girlfriend a few minutes ago.”

Alexis gave her a faux menacing look. “You know what I mean.”

CeCe laughed. “Of course I do. But let me tell you ladies, Lex would’ve probably kept our relationship casual if I hadn’t made her change hairstylists.”

“Is that how you met?” Dawn asked.

CeCe nodded. “I’d been doing your hair for about a year, I guess.”

“My God, what took you so long!” Tonya exclaimed.

“She doesn’t date her clients,” Alexis replied. “Besides, I could tell something with CeCe wouldn’t be casual for me.”

CeCe looked at Alexis surprised. “You never told me that!”

Alexis shrugged.

“I hoped you would both finally figure it out,” Donna said, smiling at CeCe. “I could tell every time she had an appointment with you because she came back to the office happier.”

CeCe grinned at Alexis. “She wasn’t the only one.” CeCe turned to the group. “Enough about us, tell me the dirt on my girlfriend.”