Page 45 of CeCe Sloan is Swooning

CeCe and Alexis followed them inside. The cabin was one large room with an area sectioned off for the kitchen that included an island with a table and chairs to one side. Two couches, chairs and a table were arranged to make a cozy living area. There were two opened doors that led to a bathroom and a bedroom.

“You wouldn’t expect such a famous award-winning actress to live in such a small space, would you?” Melanie stated as she took glasses down from a cabinet.

“The only place I intend to live is with you,” Krista said matter-of-factly. “This cabin happens to be perfect for us.”

“It doesn’t feel like a cabin,” Alexis commented. “It’s more like a lovely home.”

“Why would you need a big house?” CeCe asked.

“We don’t,” Krista replied. “All we need is this right here. When the kids and grandkids come to visit, we put them in a larger cabin close to the big beach and dock because they will be playing in the water anyway.”

“I turned my investment business over to our daughters, so I’m retired,” Melanie said.

“I’m retired, too, unless a role comes along I can’t refuse, but I don’t see that happening. There aren’t many exceptional roles for fifty-something women, but occasionally one comes along.”

“You do have this resort to run, so I wouldn’t say either of you are retired,” CeCe said.

“Doing this is fun. We get to decide the schedule and be as busy as we want,” Krista said. “Can you examine me here?” she asked Alexis, pulling out one of the chairs at the table.

Alexis nodded and set her bag on the table. CeCe joined Melanie at the island and helped mix the drinks, giving Krista and Alexis privacy.

Alexis examined the incision she’d made on Krista’s back near her shoulder blade. “This looks great,” she said. “I brought along another bandage.”

“Let me look,” Melanie said. “We’ve kept it covered like you said to do, Alexis.”

“You can look, too, CeCe,” Krista said. “Come see how talented my surgeon is.”

CeCe smiled, thinking she knew some of Alexis's talents already. “Oh, wow,” she said, amazed. CeCe wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but the small incision was sure to be barely noticeable when it healed. “You won’t even know it’s there, Krista. Does it hurt?”

“Not really. It was a little sore at first so I didn’t sleep on my back. But I usually sleep on my side anyway.”

“With my arms wrapped around you,” Melanie said quietly, smiling down at Krista.

Alexis attached the bandage over the wound and smiled. “You’re all set.”

“Thanks for making a house call,” Krista said with a grin.

“My pleasure.”

“Everyone grab a drink and let’s go soak up this gorgeous day,” Melanie said.

CeCe and Alexis did as instructed and followed their hosts down to the water.

“Mmm, this is good,” CeCe said, sipping her drink.

“I’m glad you like it,” Melanie said. “I love a fruity drink with a splash of vodka to give it a little pep.”

“Cory would be happy to show you a few more drink recipes. She’s quite creative,” CeCe said.

Once they were all seated and sipping their drinks, Krista looked over at CeCe and Alexis. “I got to thinking about this invitation and I hope we weren’t too pushy. We didn’t really ask either of you. It was more like we told you to come out today.”

“Yeah, it’s obvious you like each other, but we may have stuck our noses where they didn’t belong. We don’t want to push you into anything you might not be ready for, or even want,” Melanie said.

CeCe looked at Alexis and furrowed her brow. “Did you feel forced to come spend time in this beautiful, romantic haven with—”

“A sexy dynamic woman who was once my stylist and now someone I can’t stop thinking about?” Alexis finished CeCe’s question with a sultry smile. “Forced isn’t the word I’d use.”

CeCe chuckled, looking Alexis up and down. “Me either.”

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