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This brought another round of laughter.

“Sorry, babe. No dirt here.” Alexis winked.

Lana led everyone over to the dining table where all sorts of snacks were laid out. As they noshed, Alexis looked on as CeCe had a moment to talk to each of Alexis's friends. She made eye contact with Alexis and gave her a smile to let her know she was okay.

When CeCe’s glass was almost empty, she motioned to Alexis to meet her in the kitchen.

Alexis refilled both of their glasses and asked, “Is everything okay? They haven’t bored you to tears yet?”

“No!” CeCe exclaimed. “They have all been so nice and welcoming. I can tell each one of them really likes you.”

“Oh my God, CeCe. I’m so glad you’re here,” a voice said from behind them.

They both turned around to see two women smiling at them.

“Desi!” CeCe exclaimed. “Hi Erin, how are you?”

“How do you know the hospital administrator and her wife?” Alexis asked, her face full of confusion.

Erin chuckled. “I heard the famous Dr. Reed had a girlfriend.”

“Will someone please explain what’s going on?” Alexis said.

“Where do you think Desi gets this gorgeous haircut?” Erin said, reaching up and rubbing her fingers against the very short hairs on the side of her wife’s head.

Desi had a sleek haircut with the sides short and the top longer. She had the top slicked back tonight, giving her an edgy look.

Desi smiled. “I see CeCe quite often because my wife loves to run her fingers over the short hairs on the side of my head.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do if she ever wants to grow it out,” Erin said with a grin.

“Oh!” Alexis said, realization dawning on her face.

“Desi and Erin have been clients of mine for a long time. Y’all have followed me from salon to salon all over town.” CeCe laughed.

“Yep. But now that you own your own salon we expect you to stay put,” Erin said. “I’m so happy for you. I knew you’d have the best salon in our area if you ever got the chance.”

“Aw, thanks, Erin,” CeCe replied.

Erin looked at Alexis and grinned. “I not only heard you had a girlfriend, but the rumor is you actually smile and even laugh occasionally.”

“Haha.” Alexis smirked.

CeCe looked at Alexis and gave her the sweetest smile. She knew Alexis had a reputation at the hospital for being no-nonsense and expected the best from the people who worked with her, but to hear her demeanor was changing and others had noticed made CeCe’s heart melt. Their relationship was making them both happy and it showed.

“If only they knew how sweet you really are,” CeCe said, putting her arm around Alexis's shoulder. “I know you have to keep up your serious surgeon image, but Erin and Desi won’t tell anyone, right?” CeCe gazed over at her friends and winked.

“Every hospital needs a brilliant, aloof surgeon,” Erin said. “It would ruin our image if the public knew the soft side of your girlfriend.”

“Soft side?” Alexis said, raising one eyebrow.

“I’m kind of your boss. Let me have this moment.”

Alexis chuckled. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep up this persona. When you’re happy it shows, doesn't it?”

“I think you’re right, babe,” CeCe said. “These two smile a lot when I see them.”

“I wonder if it could have anything to do with their sweet little girl?” Alexis asked.