Page 66 of King

“Finally,” she squealed. “Isurvived.”

King chuckled, catching her easily. “Itoldyou it wasn’t the end of the world.”

“Itwas, but I made it through.”

To celebrate, King took her on a day date—just the two of them.

They gotice cream first because King had quickly learned that Ella’s love language wassugar.

She got the mostridiculouscombination of flavors—cotton candy and mint chocolate chip—while King stuck to good old-fashioned chocolate.

When she tried tosteala bite of his, he raised a brow but gave her a taste because he couldn’t seem to say no to her unless it was about her health or safety.

After ice cream, they went to theaquarium, where Ella pressed her face against the glass ofevery singleexhibit like an excited child and tried to talk to all the animals.

“Oh my gosh,” she gasped, grabbing King’s arm. “Look at his little face.”

He glanced at the fish in question. “Baby, that thing isugly.”

Ella turned and smacked his arm. “He’sprecious!”

King laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist. “You’reprecious.”

That evening, they met her parents for dinner at the steakhouse in town.

Even in arestaurant, King couldn’t stoptaking care of her. He just did it in a way that was less obvious.

He cut her steak into small pieces without her asking. He handed her a napkin before she even knew she needed one. When she reached for her drink, heautomaticallytilted the straw toward her mouth.

She giggled and blushed. “You’re soridiculous.”

King winked at her. “You love it.”

Halfway through the meal, her parents exchanged a look before her mom cleared her throat. “So, Ella,” she started, smiling. “We have somenews.”

He was pretty sure he already knew what it was, but Ella had no clue.

Ella perked up. “What is it?”

Her dad grinned. “We bought a house.”

Ella blinked. “In New York?”

“Here.In Shadowridge,” her mom announced, clapping her hands together.

Ella froze.

King beamed.

Her father chuckled. “We’ve been working with a real estate agent since we arrived. We’ll be splitting our time between here and New York.”

Ellagaspedso loudly that half the restaurant turned to look at her, but she didn’t even notice. “Are you serious?”

Her momlaughed. “Totally serious.”

Ellathrewher arms around King’s neck, squeezing him so tightly he nearlychoked. “Did you know about this?”

He shrugged and winked at her.

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