Ellie, who had been teetering on the edge of a breakdown moments ago, blinked rapidly and straightened up like someone trying to regain control of a runaway shopping cart. Her pink cheeks faded into a bright, bubbly grin as she bounced back into her usual energetic self.
"Yup! My dad works in a pretty big bank, and he got transferred to LA. Suddenly I was trading tea for avocado toast and rain for smog and palm trees," she said cheerfully, flashing a grin at Rex. Then she pointed playfully at Lena. "But this one never called me back unless it was to brag about meeting those famous celebrities."
"Well, clearly someone was living their best life," he said, his tone teasing but friendly.
"You have no idea," Ellie shot back with mock exasperation. "Meanwhile, I was dealing with new environments, college midterms, American fast food, and guys who thought 'British accent' meant I must be royalty."
