Page 54 of King

“This is the best news ever,” Ivy beamed. “We were hoping you’d stay forever.”

Ella laughed, overwhelmed by all their love and enthusiasm. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed—howquicklyshe had found not only a Daddy who adored her, but a group of best friends who made every day feel brighter, too.

“Iloveyou guys,” she gushed, squeezing them all again before stepping back. “But Ihaveto get back to work. The party’s starting soon, and there’s still so much to do.”

The girls all hurried back to their tasks.

As Ella double-checked the sign-in table, making sure the donation bins were properly labeled, she noticed King talking to an older couple near the clubhouse entrance.

Her heart skipped.His parents. He had mentioned they might come, but she’d been so busy planning that she hadn’t thought much about it. Shoot. What if they didn’t like her?

Before she could fully worry about it, King turned and motioned for her to come over.

She took a deep breath, smoothed out her sundress, andforcedherself to walk over at a normal pace, even though her limbs suddenly felt tangled.

“Mom, Dad,” King introduced as she reached them, his hand settling possessively on her lower back. “This is Ella.”

His mother, a beautiful woman with soft eyes and a kind smile,immediatelyreached out and pulled Ella into a hug.“Oh,sweetheart,” she said warmly, holding her tightly. “It issogood to meet you.”

Ella blinked in surprise before melting into her embrace. “It’s so nice to meet you, too.”

When King’s mother pulled back, his father stepped forward, giving Ella a firm but gentle handshake. “King’s told us a lot about you,” he said kindly. “We’re glad to see him so happy.”

Ella felt a wave of warmth rush over her.

“He makesmereally happy, too,” she admitted shyly, glancing up at King.

His mother beamed, squeezing her hands. “We’re thrilledyou’re moving in with him. That boy hasneverlooked at anyone the way he looks at you. I can already tell you two were made for each other.”

Ella blushed furiously. “I feel really lucky.”

King squeezed her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Webothare, baby.”

The moment was so sweet and perfect until a small ache settled in her chest.

Herparents weren’t there.

She loved King’s family already, and their kindness made her feel so incredibly welcome, but she couldn’t help the small pang of sadness that herownmom and dad weren’t here to meet King, to see her success, and to see the life she was building in Shadowridge.

She wondered what they would think of all this. Ofhim. She suspected her mother would blush at how handsome he was.

Before she could get lost in those thoughts, a commotion from the parking lot caught her attention.

She turned, and her breathhitched.

A long line of cars was steadily pulling into the lot, people stepping out with bags and boxes of food. Some carried stacks of canned goods, while others rolled in carts packed with dry goodsand supplies. Families, couples, local business owners—so many people were here, all eager to help.

Ella felt her sadness dissolve aspure joytook over.

“They came,” she whispered, almost disbelieving.

King chuckled beside her. “Told you, baby. This was all you.”

Ella turned to him, eyes shining. “Wedid this.”

He grinned and winked at her. “Damn right we did.”

The party was more than Ella ever could have imagined.

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