Page 97 of Wrapped with a Beau

Elisha: ???

Ves: You told me what flight you were on, so I looked it up and tracked the flight plan.

Elisha: HA HA, NO REALLY

Ves: I assure you, it’s perfectly normal and publicly available online.

Elisha: How are you real?

Ves: I’m sorry. Should I not have?

Elisha: No, it’s sweet. But now I feel bad you were probably worried I could crash in the Atlantic or whatever haha

Elisha: Now go to sleep xxxxx

Elisha: You’re not the elf and the three socks anymore btw

Elisha: You haven’t been for a long time actually

Ves: What’s my new emoji?

Elisha: [sends screenshot]

Ves: A scarf, my name, and a flan?

Elisha: The flan is standing in for bebinca. Too cheesy?

Ves: No, it’s perfect.

Elisha’s heart gives a giddy backflip, then sinks to the bottom of her stomach. Not for the first time, she has to wonder whether she was too hasty in not even trying a long-distance relationship with Ves. Isn’t that already kind of what they’re doing?

Somehow, without even intending to, they’ve slipped into an easy friendship and flirtation. Sure, their timing doesn’t always align, and yes, she misses the hell out of him, but... he messaged her as soon as she landed. He tracked her flight, a thing she didn’t even know existed but was positive no other guy had ever done for her.

Lana would call him a simp, for sure, but all Elisha wants to call him is hers.

Chapter Fifty-One

Ves

Ves counts down the days and knows she’ll be returning home soon. Home. It’s taken him a while to come to terms with it, but he knows now: New York isn’t his home. Not anymore. It’s just the place where he lives. For now.

January 10th, 8:32 PM

Ves: I know you won’t see this until you wake up, but I thought you’d get a kick out of this. [sends picture of a restaurant sign]

Elisha: No worries, I’m up! The waves and the birds ease me into it haha

Elisha: OMG is that a RAT on the sign

Ves: I’m out with the boys for Cade’s birthday. Arun swears it’s the best Brazilian steakhouse ever. Since you’ve been making me jealous with all the pics of the Goan food you’ve been eating, figured I’d return the favor. Not sure how the rat is relevant, but it made me think of you.

Elisha: You sweet-talker youuuuu

Elisha: I mean, on the other hand lol, I’m glad you’re thinking of me?

Elisha: The name is Tuco-Tuco? What does that mean?

Ves: No idea.

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