Page 5 of CeCe Sloan is Swooning

They strolled around the salon and CeCe pointed out each of the new stylist stations. Towards the back on one side were several shampoo bowls and on the other side was CeCe’s station which was separate from the others.

“Oh, I like this,” Alexis said, walking over to CeCe’s chair. There were strands of shiny silver beads hanging vertically from the ceiling to the floor, creating a wall of sorts. It gave the space a bit of seclusion from the rest of the shop.

Alexis sat down in the chair and spun around to face CeCe. “This gives us a little privacy for you to catch me up on all your shenanigans… Or are they dalliances?” She crossed her legs and stared up at CeCe.

“Could you be any sexier?” CeCe asked, putting one hand on her hip and looking Alexis up and down. She paused for a moment, hoping to deflect the attention away from her, but Alexis's stare never wavered. “What in the world are these stories you’ve heard?”

Alexis giggled and took another sip of her champagne. “Is this the end of the tour or is there a back room? I heard that’s where the fun happens.”

CeCe laughed. “How long have I been doing your hair? You know there’s always a back room. You’ve been to the back room.”

Alexis got up and followed CeCe down a hallway where the restrooms were located along with a supply room. A door opened into a larger area that was mainly for storage. But in one corner, CeCe had arranged a little seating area complete with a couch, several chairs, a coffee table and a rug that gave it a homey feel. Over to one side was a refrigerator with a small table beside it. There was also a larger table with chairs around it where the stylists could eat and gather.

“Isn’t this cute.” Alexis walked over and ran her hand along the back of the couch. She looked around the room then nodded towards the back door. “Is that where you park your cars or is it for sneaking in?”

“What is with you? All of a sudden you act like I have all these trysts in some secret room,” CeCe said, walking over next to Alexis. “This is the break area. You’ve had a glass of wine with me in the back room of the other salon. This isn’t any different.”

Alexis walked around and sat down on the couch. She looked up at CeCe and raised her eyebrows, silently inviting CeCe to join her.

“I heard that you may have fooled around a time or two in the back room of the shop when you needed to be discreet.”

CeCe narrowed her gaze. “Is someone talking shit about me since I opened my own salon?”

Alexis smiled. “No. I ran into Krista Kyle and her wife, Melanie. We got to talking about the shopping center and they told me Cory was their new supplier for spirits. They particularly loved the name.”

CeCe laughed. “Cory is quite proud of The Liquor Box.”

“I mentioned that you were the talented stylist that keeps me looking my best.”

CeCe smiled. “It doesn’t take much.”

Alexis returned CeCe’s smile. “Thank you,” she said softly. “But they mentioned you’d been to a party or two at their place at the lake.”

“I have. They needed a hairstylist for a photo shoot they were doing. At the last minute, the stylist who was supposed to come with the photographer couldn’t make it, so I helped out. They asked me to stay for the party afterwards.”

“Those women know how to party,” Alexis commented.

“They take karaoke and dancing to another level.” Wide-eyed, CeCe laughed. “Have you been to one of their parties?”

“I’ve been to a couple.”

“Why, Doc. I didn’t know you have a soft spot for the ladies,” CeCe teased. “Or is it just those Hollywood starlets?”

“You should know me better than that by now, CeCe. Much like you, I never walk the straight and narrow. Why do you think we get along so well?” Alexis chuckled.

CeCe grinned. “That leads me to believe my little back room, as you like to call it,” she said in a low, deep voice, “must be a lot like the supply rooms or doctor's respite rooms at the hospital.”

“I never kiss and tell.” Alexis winked at her.

CeCe studied Alexis as she finished her glass of champagne. She’d harbored a little crush on Alexis since the first time she’d done her hair. There could never be anything between them because Alexis was way out of CeCe’s league and CeCe never messed around with her clients. That had been a hard and fast rule from the beginning. But a little harmless flirting never hurt anyone, did it?

Alexis gave CeCe a genuine smile. “Do you have any idea how much I value my appointments with you?”

“I think so. I know how busy your days are,” CeCe said earnestly. She tried to make all her clients feel special, but she took extra time with Alexis. There were times when she could feel the stress leave Alexis's body as she massaged her scalp or gently rubbed her shoulders.

“I can come here and put everything aside. You not only take good care of my hair, but you also ease my mind when I need it. Plus, you entertain me with all the craziness that surrounds a good salon.”

CeCe laughed. “I don’t know how it happens, but you’re right. Craziness abounds at times.”

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