They stepped inside, and floral essential oils scented the air.
“Wow, this place is beautiful,” Elle whispered. She felt like she was in a spa rather than a workout area.
Sadie leaned into her. “I heard the owner just got back from teaching at retreats in Bali.”
There were five reformer machines, and the end two were already taken. Sadie and Elle moved to the two near the front, Elle taking the one by the window. She’d just slipped off her shoes when a door at the back opened and a beautiful woman with long hair pulled up into a ponytail stepped out. She wore yoga pants and a sports crop.
The woman’s eyes pinged straight to her and Sadie, and she crossed the room. “Hi. I’m Callie Ward.”
“Elle Marshal.”
Sadie smiled. “Sadie Sandler.”
Callie clapped her hands. “Well, welcome to my new studio. Have either of you done reformer Pilates before?”
“No,” Sadie answered. “But we’re super excited to learn.”
“Great. We do bare feet or grip socks. We sell grip socks if you need some. Make sure you have no zippers on your clothes, then take a seat at one of the reformers. This class isn’t easy, but I promise you’ll feel great after.”
Not easy? Said by a woman who had an eight-pack? That didnotfill Elle with confidence.
When the door opened and another client stepped in, Callie turned toward her.
Elle glanced at the woman and frowned. She’d seen her before. She was pretty sure she’d come into the café after doing a tour with Jace.
Callie and the lady spoke for a few seconds before the woman nodded. The woman’s gaze landed on Elle for a moment, a strange look coming over her face. She gave her a tight smile and went to the last remaining machine.
Elle was still frowning when Callie stepped in front of the class, introduced herself, and got them started.
The second the warmup was over, Elle couldn’t think about anything but getting through the exercises without dying. Literally dying. Her butt hurt. Her thighs hurt. And when they started the ab exercises, she began to wonder what the heck she’d signed herself up for.
“Uncle Jace?”
Jace glanced down at his niece. She held one of his hands and one of Eastern’s as they walked toward the Pilates studio to pick up Elle and Sadie before they headed to Sugar and Spice.
“Yeah, Ave?”
“Now that you’re dating Elle, will you have babies?”
Who the hell told Avery he was dating Elle? The kid had already admitted to wanting cousins. He looked at Eastern, who was clearly holding back a laugh.
“Not just yet,” he said, looking back to his niece. “People often like to date for a while before having kids.”
Avery frowned. “Okay. So in a couple months?”
He laughed. Who was this young lady, and what had they done with his baby niece?
Immediately, the thought made guilt fill his chest that he hadn’t spent nearly enough time with her over the last eight years. He’d been in active service her entire life and had barely made it back, but the few times he had, the kid showered him in love.
He tightened his hold on her hand. “Maybe not in a few months, but I would love to give you cousins one day.”
She beamed at him as they stopped in front of the studio. He scanned the interior through the glass. “This place looks nice.”
“Do you know who opened it?” Eastern asked.
Jace shook his head. “Should I?” Then his gaze caught on a woman near the front who looked oddly familiar. “Where have I seen her before?”
“Lock’s ex.”
