Page 49

TEXTS

Ellie

*Attached Photo of Engagement Ring*

So… this happened.

Penelope

Oh my gosh!!

Abigail

Congrats, El! We’re all so happy for you.

Zachary

Owen!! Way to get it, man.

Quinlan

Look at that RING!

Wesley

Definitely not wasting any time.

Beau

Congratulations, guys. But also, O, if you hurt my sister, I will ruin your life.

Owen

Thanks, you guys.

I think?

Abigail

When’s the wedding? Have you guys started planning yet?

Ellie

We were thinking about summer of next year. We’re still young, so a long engagement doesn’t sound so bad.

And if it’s in the off-season, it should be easier for everyone to be there.

Penelope

I’m so excited!! I can’t wait for you to become my sister—officially.

Beau

Hey, this means I finally get the brother I always asked for.

Abigail

Thank god our parents stopped at three. I can’t imagine the menace you would have been if there had been two of you.

Zachary

Hey.

Abigail

Case in point.

Owen

I’m excited for you to be my brother too, Man.

Quinlan

You know this means our family trees are all officially linked? Which means we’re like, actually all related. Mostly. In a roundabout way.

Penelope

Cousins at heart. That’s what matters.

Ellie

Once the hockey season and school is over, I’m going to need about a dozen coffee shop dates when we’re back in Portland.

Abigail

You’re coming home for the summer?

Owen

Yeah. Maybe not for the whole time, but for a few weeks. We miss all of you. And I still owe the guys drinks.

Zachary

Hell yeah, you do.

Beau

Sounds like I have another reason to come home this summer too.

Wesley

What was the other one?

Beau

…

No comment.

Quinlan

Oooo, B, do you have a crush? Tell us, tell us.

Beau

No.

Abigail

The plot thickens…

Quinlan

Speaking of, apparently we’re getting a new head vet this summer at the zoo. Should be interesting.

Abigail

Did you hear anything about them?

Quinlan

Not really. Apparently he’s coming from a zoo in Texas.

Penelope

Oooo. Keep us updated, Q!

Quinlan

About what??

Penelope

Your hot new boss, obviously.

Quinlan

We don’t even know that he’s hot. And besides, he could be like, 50.

Abigail

But is he?

Quinlan

Guess we’ll find out when he gets here, won’t we.

Ellie

Rooting for you, Q!

You, too, Abs.

Abigail

I’m perfectly happy just the way I am, thank you. I certainly don’t need a man to complete my life.

Ellie

Come on. Can’t someone else please be in a relationship? I want to go on double dates.

Owen

What about Soph?

Ellie

She’s not dating anyone.

Owen

Come on. You’ve seen the way her and Rhodes look at each other, right?

Ellie

Her dad would KILL him. No way.

Owen

Just calling it like I see it, Ellie baby.

Abigail

Ok, new rule. No sickeningly sweet nicknames in the chat. I think I might throw up.

Ellie

Love you too, Abs.

We’re gonna go celebrate, but miss you all! Can’t wait to see you in a few months!