Page 40 of CeCe Sloan is Swooning

The restaurant was set up like a fifties-era diner with booths on the walls and a long counter set off from the entrance. There were also tables sprinkled through the expanse.

CeCe walked up to the counter and smiled at the waitress. “Hi, could I get two swirls in cones, please?”

“Coming right up,” the waitress said as she turned to make the cones.

“Ice cream?” Alexis grinned.

CeCe nodded. “Soft serve. It’s delicious. Trust me.” CeCe could see Alexis's whole demeanor soften as she watched the ice cream stream out of the machine into the waiting cone. The waitress did a little flair with her wrist, making a loop on the very top of the treat.

“Here you go,” she said, holding the cone in front of her.

“You first.” CeCe smiled.

Alexis reached for the cone and looked at CeCe.

“Don’t wait on me. Have at it.” CeCe grinned. She watched as Alexis ate the loop off the cone and closed her eyes, relishing what CeCe knew was the sweet taste along with the silky sensation.

“Mmm,” Alexis moaned.

“I know,” CeCe said, paying the waitress and taking her cone. “Let’s sit outside.”

There was a bench in front of the restaurant and they sat down, enjoying their treats.

“Better?” CeCe asked after they’d each had several licks.

Alexis nodded.

“Do you want to tell me about your day?”

“I had a surgery that didn’t go as I’d hoped. When that happens I go back over everything and try to find what I missed,” Alexis said, looking out and watching the cars whiz by on the roadway.

“As Mr. Ramos did, I believe in you, Lex. I’m sure your patient had the best surgeon and received the best treatment possible. All you can do is your best and I know that’s what you did.”

Alexis nodded. “I’m glad I came by here.”

“I am, too. You’ve certainly brightened my day.”

“What happened to you today?” Alexis asked, swirling her tongue around the ice cream.

“Oh,” CeCe sighed. “I had a color that didn’t turn out like I wanted, but the client was okay with it. Then I had a client who was late.”

“And that makes the rest of your day late!” Alexis exclaimed.

“Exactly. Then I had one woman who simply didn’t show up or call.”

“What!”

“Yeah, it happens more than you think. Some of my clients don’t value my time.”

“That’s terrible,” Alexis said. She was about to go on when CeCe put her hand on Alexis's arm.

“This is not about my day. That’s for another time. This is about you. Do you like the ice cream?” CeCe asked with a smile.

Alexis held up her cone to show CeCe that the ice cream was now level with the rim of the cone. “I’d say so.”

CeCe chuckled. “Good.”

“Hey, I want to know something,” Alexis began.

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