Nick and Charlie are sitting on the floor between the two narrow hotel beds, sharing a packet of gummy sweets. The room is cozy, dimly lit by the yellow lamp on the bedside table.

It smells faintly of shampoo and crisps— It was perfect. After a few moments, there’s a loud knock at the door. Tao bursts in. “You will not believe how rude Parisians are when you walk slowly. I was nearly flattened.”

Elle walks in a few moments after, gently closing the door. She walks over to Tao, taking a seat next to him. “You were walking reeeally slow anyway, kinda on you.”