Page 96 of Wrapped with a Beau

Ves: I’m just saying.

Elisha: Don’t JUST SAY

Elisha: Of course it’s you I want to be kissing tonight

Elisha: Not just tonight

Elisha: Every night

Elisha: Whenever I wanted

Elisha: I’m not kissing anyone else tonight, just fyi

Ves: Good. Me neither.

Ves never imagined a day would come when he’d say this, but he’s finally found the girl who consumes his every thought. It’s only when he’s without her that he becomes acutely aware of how different he is, how much he’s changed from the man who arrived in Piney Peaks so sure of everything he knew nothing about.

It’s only when he’s not talking to Elisha that his life goes by in slow motion, everything sluggish and fuzzy.

He hates it.

For the first time in his life, his heart is arguing with his head, refusing to accept anything less than what will make him incandescently happy.

Chapter Fifty

Elisha

Elisha thinks that in a perfect world, she would never have made the mistake of falling for Ves. Of tricking herself into thinking that once she’d had a taste, she could say goodbye to him like they’d never been together at all. Of thinking she was capable of something fleeting instead of forever.

But no sooner does the thought cross her mind than she yanks it back. Maybe there is a world out there in which she sticks to the terms she’d outlined—a little holiday romance, just casual, no strings attached—but it’s not this one.

January 3rd, 2:05 PM

Ves: How was your flight?

Elisha: Just landed and can’t wait to catch some zzz’s bc it’s so impossible on the plane. I hateeeee long flights, I’m so stiff. Food was blah, but the in-flight movies were good. Saw the newest Banshee of the Baskervilles movie!

Ves: I enjoyed it, too. Finally got around to watching The Holiday, by the way.

Elisha: You get the Jude Law thing now?

Ves: I preferred the Jack Black storyline.

Elisha: There you go being unpredictable again!!!

Ves: It’s called having taste

Elisha: You’ve never used a sassy emoji before

Ves: I’m growing as a person

Elisha: Wait, what time is it for you?

Elisha: My phone already switched me to local time

Elisha: OMG WTF VES IT IS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT FOR YOU, GO TO SLEEP

Elisha: WAIT HOW DID YOU EVEN KNOW WHEN I LANDED

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