He’d love his body to move like he was a teenager again but glancing at the love of his life, he knew he wouldn’t trade her for all the youth and medals in the world.
9 ELLA
“Thanksforwatchingher.You’re a lifesaver, Ella!”Kayleigh Knight scooped her adorable toddler into her arms, planting kisses on her cheeks.
“Anytime, Kayleigh.Luna’s a sweetheart,” Ella said, tickling the little girl’s nose.“We had fun.”
“Erik’s working a twelve-hour shift and my mom’s out of town.Nobody we trusted was available.”
Ella picked up a handful of toys that were scattered on the floor and stuck them into Kayleigh’s shoulder bag.
“I’m happy to help.I’ll walk you out.Next time I’ll show Luna the garden.”
“She likes playing in mud,” Kayleigh said, grinning.“But I hope she’ll nap when I get home so I can get my article posted.”
“You’ll get it done, Kayleigh.”Ella admired how hard her friend worked and how she went after what she wanted.
Stepping out, the air was crisp, and the sun was just setting.
“Thanks again, Ella!Say bye, Luna!”Kayleigh took Luna’s hand and tried to make her wave, but Luna scrunched up her face and pulled her hand back.
“Bye, sweetheart,” Ella said and pushed a piece of blonde hair out of the toddler’s face.
“Plans at Club Bandit?The parking lot’s filling up.”Kayleigh opened the backseat of her car and got Luna in her car seat.
“Miss Helena and I are giving an intro class.It’s a Sunday night.”
“We’ve hardly been out of the house for two years,” Kayleigh said, but she grinned, kissing Luna’s cheek before closing the car door.
“I envy you, Ella.”
“Different stages of life.”But a part of her envied Kayleigh.
“I wish Erik and I could make it to Club Bandit, but when we get a date night, we end up hanging out with my brother and Simone or we go out to eat.”
“You guys have a lot going on.Club Bandit is here when you’re ready.”
As she hugged Kayleigh, Ella couldn’t help but think back to the days when she had two toddlers to care for and her husband was almost never home
“Looking forward to it!It’s okay, Luna, we’re going,” Kayleigh said to the toddler, who had started fussing.
“Take care, Kayleigh, see you and Luna soon!”She waved to her friend and watched her drive out of the gates of the driveway, and then she walked down to where she could see Club Bandit’s parking lot.
She spotted Max’s car parked nearby and a van driving around the lot
Maybe James had called in the electrician to fix the light by the reception.
Ella sighed, exhausted but hanging out with an adorable toddler was exactly what she needed after dealing with Zee’s friends.
Nico and Roger had crashed in their guest rooms and had joined Zee in his morning practice.
Roger had tried to kiss her hand as she poured them coffee, and the seething look Zee gave him made the man back off.
Then they took off for breakfast, and Zee went to his team’s practice in the afternoon.
Ella had planned on packing corset orders and cutting fabric while she waited for her daughters to call her back.
When Kayleigh had called right after Zee left and asked if she’d mind watching Luna, Ella jumped at the opportunity.
