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Both turned to me.
“Today’s been stressful. Why don’t you let me take the four of you to dinner. You can all relax and I’ll be your guard dog.”
Luna laced her fingers into mine, a small, grateful smile on her mouth.
“Honestly, that sounds amazing,” Stella replied. “I don’t think I have it in me to cook tonight.”
“All right. Lets take the minivan and I can be your chauffeur.”
Within half an hour, the vehicle was full of Luna’s family and we were parking at one of my favorite Italian restaurants that had plenty of options for kids.
I put myself on one side of the booth, Rory on a booster seat in the spot next to the wall and Nova on my other side, so the sisters could relax with their glasses of sangria. Stella kept casting grateful glances to me before resuming her quiet conversation with Luna while I was on my self-imposed kid duty. Rory picked at her butter noodles and chicken bites while Nova talked my ear off between bites of lasagna.
I didn’t mind at all doing this once in a while, but I could absolutely see how it could get exhausting for parents. Luna had the right idea about sticking with being a cool auntie. I was happy to be part of Stella’s village, especially when I could see the peace on her face and the gratitude in Luna’s eyes.
Rory socked out partway through her meal, and I let her sit on my lap, sawing her baby logs against my chest.
“I can take her, Luca,” Stella offered.
“This is a girl’s-relaxing dinner. I can handle her.” I finished off my fettuccine Alfredo, one hand cradling Rory’s head to keep any sauce drips from hitting her hair.
After we dropped Stella, the girls, and their vehicle back home, Luna turned to me. “I feel like I need to get you a trophy for world’s best boyfriend.”
“The words are trophy enough,” I replied, accepting her kiss when she leaned forward. “How are you feeling?”
“Too many things going on in here—” She gestured to her chest. “—to pick anything for certain. I’m glad Stella’s cool about the sex work, but I’m fucking pissed that Rodney told her. He can’t get away soon enough.”
“Hard agree.”
“You know what would really cheer me up?”
“What?”
“Miss Dazzle’s is still open for another hour.”
“If you insist.” I laughed.
“I do. I need the distraction of half-naked Luca performing acrobatics.”
“Well, I suppose it would be rude of me to deny you that. I did just eat though, so I can’t do anything upside down.”
“I’m okay with that.”
I put the pole studio into the GPS and took us over to bother Auggie. He was finishing up with a class when we arrived, so we waited for the last couple of people to leave the room.
“A double-cutie visit!” Auggie bounded over. “To what do I owe the honor?”
“I decided it’s time I see Luca on the pole and I will not be denied,” Luna replied.
“Candy!” Auggie called. “You’ll never guess who’s here.”
“I can’t believe you guys snuck in while I was in the bathroom.” Candy trotted into the room. “Well, I know why you’re each here individually. Did you come together?”
Auggie beamed.
“Oh my god, are you the boy Luna likes? Small fucking world. I can’t believe we had you here this whole time and didn’t know.”
“I knew.” Auggie winked.
