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I relaxed, trusting Rian to get us back home in one piece. It was definitely going to be a head-straight-to-the-nest sort of night.

“We’ll go back to Cosmic Bonds tomorrow,” Rian said like he’d come to a decision. “We’ll tell Ember to screen the ableist idiots out of our profiles.”

I snorted. “That would be a real magic trick. Seriously, I’m fine with questions. We expected it.”

“Yes, but not as the entire topic of conversation.” Rian grumbled. “We changed the subject twice and you gave her a few outs to ask about music.”

“All right.”

Going back to Cosmic Bonds meant seeing Ember again, and I was definitely not against that.

Judging by the satisfaction in Rian’s voice, he didn’t mind so much either.

Suddenly the week was looking up.

Chapter 11

Ember

Ifought not to look forward to Alejandro’s daily text.

The day after we exchanged phone numbers, he’d texted and asked if it was too soon to ask for lunch requests.

I replied that I was craving something with pasta, and the next day I received shrimp scampi. From there, I peppered him with questions about his favorite TV shows, food, and music preferences. It was almost a week of texting each other, and I started sending him music playlists in addition to random questions.

I was focused on the Cosmic Bonds software, trying to find the bugs, when my phone pinged:

Sexy Alpha Chef:

What does mi carina crave this week? There’s a bunch of strawberries at work right now. Also thanks for the playlist. I really enjoyed “The Quiet Between Us” and the entire “Iron Lung” album.

I grinned.I had a wide taste in music and it was nice he was at least pretending to like it.

Ember:

crepes? Uhhh strawberry shortcake. Idk what else gets made with strawberries, I’m not the chef, you are.

Sexy Alpha Chef:

that is true, but as you say, you like food. Crepes sound nice, maybe with some beignets and a dipping sauce.

Ember:

you had me at “sauce”

Sexy Alpha:

this is what I’m currently working on

He sentme a picture of his current creation. They were apparently ramping up for Valentine’s Day even though it was a month away. The picture came through and it was a dark chocolate three-layer cake.

Ember:

omg I would commit arson for a taste

He sent me laughing emojis.

Sexy Alpha Chef: