No such luck.
“Ella!” she called out, her voice bright with excitement.
I turned, forcing a smile. “Hello, Fiona.”
“We have to stop meeting like this,” she joked.
“It seems we have very similar tastes,” I replied lightly. “How have you been?”
“I’m good!” she said, her smile genuine. “I’m taking an extended lunch break today—there’s a long meeting later that I need to brace myself for. How about you? Have things been crazy with Alexander since the King’s big announcement?”
“It’s certainly been interesting,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “I take it you know what the plan is?”
She nodded knowingly. “Of course. Alexander’s always talked about wanting to pursue the role of King.”
“That’s right,” I confirmed, the words coming out more evenly than I’d expect
