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“So sassy.” He chuckled, hoping he wouldn’t regret this interchange and lose the ground he’d won with her.
“What if I don’t accept your loads of compliments?” She was still smiling.
“Then I’ll …” He paused, looked around, and grinned. “Dip your head in this fountain.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Her green eyes glittered defiantly.
A family with several tall teenage boys walked past. The boys were gawking at the two of them. Their parents smiled—friendly, welcoming smiles.
“What do you think, guys?” Derek called to them. “Should I dunk her in the fountain for refusing to let me tell her how beautiful she is?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” the mother gasped out.
“Do it!” the youngest boy called.
“That’s Prince Derek, the Ninja Prince,” the tallest boy told his brothers.
“Of course it is. He’s dating Ellery, duh,” the middle boy said. “You’re the best athlete in the world!”
“Thank you.” Derek said to the boy. He turned back to Ellery. “I think that’s approval, and I need to show off my warrior and prince status.” Derek tossed a wink to the teenagers, grasped Ellery around the waist, and easily flipped her upside down.
Her dress slid to her knees. He carried her toward the fountain, her long hair dangling toward the ground.
“Yes!” the boys cheered their approval.
“You put her down,” the mom demanded.
“I will. In the water.” Derek pumped his eyebrows at the boys as they laughed and cheered.
Ellery hadn’t made a peep, but she was used to hanging upside down on all sorts of obstacles.
She suddenly grasped his hands, flipped to the side and twisted, breaking his grip, performed an aerial and a one-eighty, and landed in a crouch.
“You go, girl!” the mom cheered.
Ellery punched a fist in the air and then straightened her dress.
Derek and the boys all groaned. He imagined the boys were disappointed their show was over. He was only disappointed Ellery wasn’t in his arms.
“Nice move,” he told her.
She grinned and flipped her long hair. “Now can you behave properly in church, or do I need to have Ollie babysit you outside?”
“I’ll behave, but only for you, my beautiful princess.” He bowed slightly.
She shook her head, but she was smiling as she offered her hand. “Gushy compliments. Come on, then.”
Derek quickly clasped her hand with his and felt the rightness of it. Inside, he celebrated. He always enjoyed their flirtation, but more importantly, she’d offered her hand.
They walked into church with the family, the boys asking Derek questions about Ninja Warrior. A couple minutes later, the choir started singing and they all settled down for the service. It went by quickly, and he liked the pastor’s relaxed and welcoming aura.
After the service, they stood to stretch and chatted with the teenage boys some more.
“You brought the Ninja Prince to our humble church?” The pastor was suddenly in front of them.
Derek shook the man’s hand. “Derek August,” he said. “It’s great to meet you, Pastor Miles, and I enjoyed the service.”
“Thank you, Prince Derek. It’s an honor to have you here.” He tilted his head to Ellery and smiled. “Especially to see you with our angelic Ellery.”
