If Francesca werent around, wed all be banging

Shhhh Im trying to hear what theyre saying, Dana interrupted their banter as she leaned towards Marina and the dark haired woman that they all were curious about. Even Bette and Tina were quietly eavesdropping in on the conversation.

Hello, Im Marina. You must be new to the Planet, she said in her sultry accent with a seductive smile.

The woman looked up from the paperwork she had been rummaging through and smiled back. Now thats the first time anyones said that to me. Azure blue eyes met Marinas and they made the foreign woman suck in her breath at their brilliance. Im Cecilia, she said lifting her hand to shake Marinas. Her voice was silky smooth with a slight hint of an accent and was the kind of voice that could make women and men both melt if used in the right way. Marina let her fingers clasp the strong, yet soft, hand that had been offered to her.

Welcome to my little coffee shop. Marina pulled out the chair opposite Cecilia and sat down, placing her hands together in front of her on the table.

Oh are you the owner? she asked closing her laptop and mimicking Marinas hand placement.

Yes do you like?

Its very nice, Cecelia said looking around. When her eyes swept the table of women, they all turned away and tried to look nonchalant. Dana even started to whistle as she looked anywhere but at the two women. But you must not get new people in here very often. Cecilia leaned in and whispered to Marina. I feel like Im on display.

Ohthey are harmless. They are all friends of mine and just want to know who the new person is.

Ahhh I see, Cecilia said smiling and waving at the six women. Hello, she said in their direction. Dana and Alice eagerly waved back as the others just smiled and returned to what they had been doing before she had grabbed their attention.

Marina laughed, Youre not shy are you?

Life is too short for shyness, was Cecilias answer as she sat back slightly, straightened her paperwork and then pushed it to the side. I love your accent its an unusual combination of Spanish, French, and a hint of the islands.