Page 14 of King

King:And here I was, worried about your diet. Sounds like you’re thriving.

Ella:Oh, I am. Top-tier nutrition over here.

King:Guess I can stop losing sleep over it, then.

Ella:Wait… you’ve been losing sleep over me?

King paused for half a second. He could practicallyseethe playful challenge in her words, the teasing tilt of her head as she waited for his response.

King:Maybe a little. Just don’t wanna be responsible for you passing out from a sugar crash.

A long pause. Then?—

Ella:I’ve only passed out from a sugar crash once today.

King huffed out a laugh, shaking his head.

She was trouble. And he really was worried about her nutrition. Especially after learning about her life in New York. It was possible she’d never cooked a real meal before.

King: You working tomorrow?

Ella:Yep! Gotta make copies, file things, be an all-around office rockstar. Why?

King:Because I’ll be coming in for my shift tomorrow morning, and I expect you to have eaten an actual meal before I get there.

Ella:Bold of you to assume I take orders from you.

King: You don’t.

Ella: Good.

King: Yet.

Ella didn’t reply right away. King smirked, knowing that message had probably got her flustered. He could practicallyfeelher overthinking her response.

A minute later, his phone buzzed again.

Ella: …Rude.

King chuckled, settling back against the bar.

King:Sleep well, dollface. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Try not to dream of me too much.

This time, her response was instant.

Ella:Ha! You wish. Night, King.

King grinned.

Damn right, he did.

King stepped into the firehouse, his bag slung over one shoulder. His shift was about to start, but before he got to work, he had one stop to make.

Ella’s office.

She was already at her desk, typing away on her laptop. Her hair was pulled up in another high ponytail, and today’s outfit was just as soft and colorful as ever. An oversized pastel sweater and a skirt that barely brushed her knees.

She looked up when he approached, her lips parting slightly in surprise. “King!”

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