“I didn’t mind.She got called to work, and I could help.”Ella glanced out the window, a wave of regret crashing over her.
When she was a young mother with two toddlers to look after, her family was too far away to call for help.
But it worked out,she told herself fiercely.
“You and Helena enjoy your class.I have a meeting back at the house.”
“It’s a small group, we’ll be fine.”Ella leaned over for a kiss.
“I know.”The look of admiration Zee gave her made her nipples tighten under her corset.
“I’d better get in there.”
“Bye love.I’ll see you in an hour.”
Ella climbed out of the car, and waved as Zee returned up the hill.
Her chest hummed with a sense of absence from being away from him.
“Ella!Let’s get this class started!”Helena opened the front door of Club Bandit.“It’s going to be great.”
“With us teaching it’s going to be five stars,” Ella hurried up the steps to join her friend, grateful for everything she and her husband had built as she took in the view from the steps of Club Bandit.
“Thanks for watching her.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
