Within weeks of moving to Los Angeles in the spring of 2019, Ms. Elks was fully integrated into her fellow Australian’s social circle. In July, the pair were having drinks at a friend’s house in Oceanside — a surfer’s paradise south of Orange County — when she decided to pitch Mr. Riches on becoming her boyfriend. “‘Guys, me and Benny are in a relationship,’” Ms. Elks recalled telling everyone. Ms. Elks wasn’t just dating Mr. Riches at the time — she was also living with him. Mr. Riches, 32, was impressed by her sense of style.

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Persons: Verity Jean Louise Elks, Benjamin Oliver Brian Riches, Riches, “, Benny, ’, Elks, ” Organizations: Elks, New York City Locations: Los Angeles, Oceanside —, Orange County, New York, Coast, Australia, Venice