Whatever Your Heart Desires Part 5

Even if she didn't know that I knew, how could I face Lexi again after what she did? Then again, how had Danny faced me again all those times, knowing what I had done behind his back? I had been a lot more to him than a hair stylist. Lexi had been my friend a long time. Technically, she hadn't cheated on me, hadn't gone behind my back. Although we were still married, Danielle was currently fair game – and if she was going to be with anyone....

I kept my regular Wednesday appointment. Lexi was all smiles as she seated me in the plush, contoured couch. She was really animated, talking about anything and everything, yet saying nothing in particular. When she had finished with me, I rose from the couch, turned, and just looked at her. She was as animated as before, beaming radiantly. As I continued to silently gaze at her, the smile faded slowly from her face.

"What?" she asked.

"I was there," I softly intoned. "I watched."

She knew what I meant. She stared at the floor, blushing. Then she looked at me again.

"I won't apologize," she stated evenly.

"I won't ask you to," I replied.

"What do you want to do now?" she inquired guardedly.

"I want," I responded, glancing at my watch, "to take you to lunch. Can you get away?"

The smile crept back onto her face.

"I can always make time for a good friend," she chirped.

Understandably, lunch was a little awkward at first. We had gone to the little sidewalk café, around the corner from the salon, which was our usual haunt. I had to break the ice somehow, so I simply started with the first thing that came to mind.

"She looked good," I began. "Actually, the two of you looked good together."

"Thank you," Lexi spoke hesitantly. "She really does look good, doesn't she? You gave her the confidence, and Celine..."

She glanced down at the tabletop for a moment, then looked up again.