Page 95 of Bishop's Queen

Ella didn’t respond. What did that mean? What did he want her to say? Kissing the girl and making her come as though it was his God-given talent was one thing. But seeing someone, seeing him… dating him—that was an entirely different level.

“Ella.”

“I told Mom it was you.”

Whoa.That wasn’t just admitting to someone. That was a different level and then some, the weight of which hit him broadside in the chest. There might be serious repercussions, to which he planned on strenuously defending himself and lobbying to keep his damn job. “Good. Okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, babe.”

“Good.”

Goddamn, there was that cute, sleepy voice again. He wanted to hear it while she was plastered against his chest. “How did that go?”

Considering he was the asshole that had walked away from her years ago, there was no telling what her folks thought of him. They were good people. He’d always admired them, even after the time her dad had nearly killed him in high school for getting too serious with Ella. But her dad’s intentions were spot on, and from this vantage point, so many years later, he could absolutely see his perspective.

Fabric swished on the other end of the phone. “You know.”

“No threats of violence?”

“It was never like that.”

“Maybe once or twice.” He laughed. “The way things ended with us before—”

“I don’t want to talk about that,” she said.

“No worries.” Not a conversation he wanted to have either. Considering they were both pros at not tackling important topics, they might never have to talk about their non-breakup where he had walked off the face of the planet.

“My mom said something interesting.”

“And that was?”

“Oh.” Ella giggled in his ear. “It was all said in the secret confines of girl talk. I can’t let you in on specifics.”

“Not fair, babe. You brought it up.”

“Are you curious?”

“Everything about us has me curious.”

“I like that you saidus.”

He grunted a non-answer.

She let that hang in the air. “Do you think it’s peculiar? The way we ended up back in the same orbit together when we are so…”

“Complete and total opposites,” he offered.

“Ha! I wouldn’t call it that!”

“Maybe not total and complete. I’m digging those flowy skirts and dresses you’ve got going on. The hippie look suits you.”

“Maxi dresses and my skirts aren’t a hippie look!”

“Looks it to me.”

“More like romantic chic. Beachy boho.”

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