Chapter 34

Sloane was so absorbed in the training that she didn’t realize it was already eight. "Ethan, thanks for breaking it down for me. Let me treat you to dinner." They’d been on their feet all day, stomachs practically hollow. Ethan pulled off his gloves, smiling. "Sure, I won’t say no. There’s this noodle place nearby, it’s solid." Sloane chuckled. "My first time treating you and you want noodles? Shouldn’t I splurge on a royal feast?" Ethan’s grin was easy, warm. "Only if you’re ready for installments. A hundred dishes, one per day?" She clutched her pocket dramatically. "I wanted to treat you, not declare bankruptcy." "Alright. How about one dish every three days?" "You must’ve been a lion in your past life, always asking for the impossible." "If it’s too much," he teased, "cook me something homemade." "Deal. You can come over sometime." She said it casually, never noticing the way his eyes lit like fireworks. Dinner was quick. Afterward, Ethan insisted on walking her home, late nights w