As he chewed on a potato piece, Spenser nodded his head in approval. Then he added, "Don't be late," and Ella smiled and nodded as she headed out the door. Just as she was ready to open the door, she heard him cry, "Ella."

When she turned around, he was wiping his lips with the napkin and he murmured, "Thank you for being unselfish."

Her heart sprang in her chest at those words. Oh, the adoration.... Because of the King's flirtatious behavior, she felt her cheeks heat up in humiliation.

She bowed, opened the door, and departed.

Ella had been distracted all day by thoughts of her date with the...