#Chapter 51: King’s Gambit

Ella Alexander stepped into the room and held up the bag. “I brought you some things to keep you occupied.” I straightened in the hospital bed, pulling the thin blanket higher over my torso. I hadn’t expected to see him again, especially not so soon after he’d dropped off the flowers. “Things?” He approached the bed and handed me the bag. “Just some books, games, stuff like that. The nurses mentioned you might be here for a few days.” Curious despite myself, I peered inside. There were a few paperback novels—mysteries, one of my favorite genres—a book of crossword puzzles, a deck of playing cards, and folded on top of everything else, a gray sweatshirt that I immediately recognized as Alexander’s. I pulled it out and held it up, blushing furiously. “This is yours.” Alexander shrugged. “I checked your closet for something warm, but all your sweaters are too thin. It gets cold in hospitals at night.” I blinked, staring at the sweatshirt. It was o