23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
ELLE
I ’d just stirred from a glorious catnap, feeling like I’d been dragged out of a dreamy cloud. My phone’s alarm had been wailing for my attention, it had already circled through its tune twice, stubbornly refusing to be ignored. Grumbling, I reached out, my hand fumbling for the device, intent on silencing it once and for all. But as I hit cancel, another notification caught my eye. A text from Gray. I tapped on the message icon.
Gray: When can I see you again? I think I’m coming down with a rare case of Elle deficiency.
I smiled involuntarily and typed out a reply.
Elle: We’ve been together most of the day, you goof.
His response was almost immediate, as if he had been waiting, phone in hand .
Gray: Yes, but I had to share you with other people the whole time. Unacceptable.
My heart quickened at his words. My fingers paused mid-air, a playful reply forming in my mind.
Elle: Exclusive Elle time? That sounds suspiciously like a date.
Gray: Date? Sounds formal. I was thinking more along the lines of an impromptu ice cream dinner. Plus, we could work on our plot to take over the world.
I laughed out loud, the sound echoing in the quiet of my room.
Elle: Ice cream and world domination? That’s a dangerously tempting offer. But how do we go anywhere without cars?
Gray: It’s less than two miles away; we can walk. Meet me at the beach café at 6:00 pm. We can walk from there.
Elle: Perfect.