Ella chose a booth away from the window, even though she really wished she could sit where the sunshine could hit her face. She thought it was safer to sit back in the corner, though, where less people would see them. While she doubted her cousin or her stepsisters would be in this part of town, she didn’t want anyone taking a picture of Rome and posting it someplace where Tim, her stepsisters, stepmother, or her dad would see it. She’d ordered a soda and was sipping it slowly, so glad to have something othe

In his apartment, Rome sat with his phone in his hand, but he wasn’t using it. He was just waiting. He knew that Ella had taken the apartment because she’d sent him a text earlier in the day, but now she was out shopping with Tim. As much as Rome wished it was him out there with her, he knew it couldn’t be. It was bad enough some paparazzi had taken his picture with her at the restaurant. It was hard to see her face in the pictures, so no one had figured out that it was her yet, but if Tim saw it, he would know. Then, Rome would be in trouble, and Ella would have some difficult decisions to make.

Rome was up before her, and when Ella walked into the kitchen, he’d already made her a huge breakfast, including her favorites, blueberry muffins. How he’d known she loved them, she didn’t ask. Instead, she just tore off a piece of muffin top and popped it into her mouth, letting it melt as she said, “Mmm.”“Glad you like it,” Rome said, flipping the bacon and then coming over to kiss her. “What would you like to do today?” 

One of the servants opened the door. Her face wore an ugly grimace when she glanced at Ella, but when she looked up at Tim, the sneer faded and was replaced by a smile. “Come in,” she said, stepping aside.Ella’s dad strode to the door to embrace her. “There you are, darling. God, how I’ve missed you.” He wrapped her up and hugged her so tightly, Ella felt as if she was a little girl again, and she almost cried. But she didn’t. The sound of Teresa’s heels coming into the living room turned her sadness into anger. “

The passenger side door popped open, and Ella dove inside. Rome started driving before she even got the door shut, but he had ahold of her, and she knew he’d never let her fall.“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes on her more than the road.“Yes! Just drive!” She managed to get the door closed and her seatbelt on as she checked