They walked back into the salon then to the front door.
“My car is in the back. I’ll meet you at Mom’s,” CeCe said to Alexis. “Are you sure about this?”
Alexis gave CeCe a big smile. “You do trust me with your mom, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Let’s go, Alexis,” Christine said, walking out the front door.
Alexis shrugged and followed her to her car. Once they were on their way, Alexis looked in the rearview mirror and could see CeCe a few cars back.
“CeCe is right. I do like to ask questions,” Christine said. “I wanted you to drive me so I could ask you one more thing.”
“I’m happy to answer any questions. Shoot!”
“This may sound old-fashioned, but I was wondering why a woman like you chooses to be alone. You are obviously successful and beautiful, so as they used to say, women or men are probably lined up to be with you.”
“Uh, thank you for the compliment.” Alexis sighed. She could tell that Christine Sloan wasn’t necessarily trying to be nosy. She was probably just looking out for her daughter.
“Many years ago I got my heart broken. Since then I haven’t been willing to go through that again, so I’ve remained single.”
“No one has come along who you thought might be worth a chance?” Christine paused. “Let me say this. If you can’t tell CeCe is worth that risk then I hope you’ll stop seeing her now. I don’t want either one of you to get hurt and from what I’ve observed, both of your hearts are already tangled.”
Alexis knew Christine was right.
“Turn here,” Christine said. “I’m the second house on the right.”
Alexis turned into Christine’s driveway and saw CeCe right behind them.
“The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt CeCe,” Alexis said, turning to look at Christine.
“That should tell you something, honey.”
22
CeCe pulled in behind her mother’s car. She watched as Christine got out of the passenger side, but Alexis sat there for a moment. CeCe walked to the driver’s side door and opened it. Alexis had a thoughtful look on her face as if she was considering something then she looked up at CeCe and smiled.
“Is everything okay?” CeCe asked.
Alexis's smile widened. “Sure.”
“CeCe, thank you again for doing my hair. I’ll see you next week,” Christine said.
“I’m sure I’ll see you before then.”
“Thank you for driving me home, Alexis. I enjoyed our visit.”
“It was so nice to meet you, Christine,” Alexis said, handing Christine her car keys.
“Maybe we’ll see one another again. You girls have a nice evening,” Christine said, walking into the house.
“Okay then,” CeCe said as she watched her mother close the front door. “That was a little weird.” She turned to Alexis and took her hand. “She didn’t say anything to offend you, did she?”
“Not at all. You’re right. Your mom is a sweetheart.”
“Do you have plans tonight?”
Alexis smiled and CeCe could feel the butterflies come alive in her stomach. How does she do that?