a n l i

"How have you been doing? I know we have not really had a chance or moment to really talk and catch up," he spoke looking at Anli. Dax really cared about her and he did feel bad he had been so busy for them to spend time together. @anlidowning

"I'm sure she's loving every bit of that, honestly." Anli laughed. Their daughter was Anli's biggest blessing in life; the one thing she was the most proud of at the end of a really long day. And even if her and Daxton hadn't worked out in the end, she were thankful that he was the other half that made Olivia so perfect. "We've been building kingdoms for my old Polly Pocket dolls at our house, so, why not Barbie kingdoms here." she laughed again. "She loves that you're so happy to play dolls with her; I know you don't need me to tell you that, but, she really does adore it." she added. "And she's looking forward to spending so much time with all of you." she smiled, watching as their daughter ran towards where her aunt and uncles were. As Daxton asked how she'd been, Anli smiled. "I've been good." she nodded. "Not too much to brag about or complain about for that matter." she spoke. "We're just working towards additions at the winery, but, you know, there's always something." she shrugged. "And what about you? How are things with you?" @daxtonxhays

Graham looked to the wines, realizing what the woman was talking about. "Oh-" he let out a chuckle, "honestly, I hadn't planned on trying it, I really was just trying to make it easier for someone to clear the table." He had a bad habit of being unable to sit still. "But," he glanced at the wine glass mixed with a handful of wines. "If you really need it for research purposes, I'd be willing to try." He had indulged in enough wine that there was a part of him that was feeling slightly adventurous in nature. "The individual wines were at least all very good, so I'd have a hope that this is as well." @anlidowning

Anli's eyes shifted from the color of the wine in the glass to the other, her shoulders rising and falling in a shrug. "Sorry to assume." she apologized, expression softening as she did so. "I've seen so many tables do that today and while it really shouldn't bother me, I can't help but be bothered by the fact that it really is annoying." she exhaled. "Thank you for trying to make my job easier though." she stated, grabbing a bucket for dirty dishes and tossing the empty plates she'd somehow missed into it. "I won't ask you to do that if you don't want to." she paused. "But I am definitely curious, so, if you want to by all means I won't stop you." @grahamxweber

"I don't know what you brought in but I want whatever it is." she spoke, referring to the drink that was on the opposite side of the table. They'd served drinks, sure, and hors d'oeuvres that were undoubtedly the freeze and serve kind that tasted like cardboard. And this wine they'd 'splurged' on was nothing short of boxed wine that was mostly sugar she was sure. In fact she couldn't even confidently say it was wine. "You know it kind of does remind me a lot of musical chairs. Only difference is I actually have a chance of winning this game because I haven't moved yet." she smiled. "Anli." she replied, greeting herself in return. "This your usual way to spend an evening or you feeling as desperate as I am?" @galexpeterson

END.

Ollie: Hey! Ollie: I know who it is. Nah I haven't deleted your number... Not like I would after what fun we've been having Ollie: I'm allllllll free. Just tell me when and where and I'll be there. I've been feeling the same way

As the other confessed how he thought this was supposed to work, Anli rose an eyebrow but brushed it off. Not everyone had ever been to wine tastings and there for didn't know how the 'typical' etiquette was supposed to be. "Well -" she paused. "I guess the technical answer is there aren't rules." she admitted with a shrug. "But, there is a proper etiquette with these things and mixing them together isn't it." she shook her head, holding up a finger as she stepped away from his table, grabbing a second tray, a mini pencil and a small sheet of paper. "You're supposed to rate them one through five." she paused, placing the sheet of paper in front of him and then looking at him. "This is to rank them, in the hopes we get feedback on what people like or don't like, what they can taste, what they wish it had that it may be missing." she paused. "Or if you like one of them enough to buy it, that could be how you determine which one if you only want one bottle." she shrugged. "As for that monstrosity in front of you, I can promise you it's going to skew your judgement so you may want to just down it." @ryderthornton

Anli let her eyes focus on the brunette, the way he seemed just as eager as she were evident in his eyes. Anli hadn't been one to do this; she hadn't dated anyone in years. She'd even be quick to say that Daxton had been her last serious relationship, but Anli was no stranger to sharing a bed with someone. Not something she'd ever want to admit to her daughter, not that she were ashamed, but if Anli had her way Olivia would never date. Period. Men were gross. Or that's the argument she'd always given Olivia anyways as to why Anli hadn't already gotten married. As she lowered herself from the table onto level ground again, Anli turned to look at him, smile eager as she shrugged. "I have no preference." she spoke. "Keep looking at me like that and we won't make it any farther than the women's bathroom." she teased, turning and taking his hand, leading him out of the room. @olliehoffmann

"Well then how can you say such a thing, I want you to get married, how many times have I said to you I want you to get married." Cheyenne read her lines out loud in the park. The script for Once Upon a Mattress was in her hands and she paced the grass as she read off and tried different ways to say them. "I mean we're not exactly the oldest people in the world but on the other hand we're not going to live forever and I would just feel much better, much easier, and much more relaxed in my mind if I knew that that boy were married, settled and set and that's absolutely verbatim, exactly what I said to your father this morning." She spoke before looking as someone was walking by. Going over to them, she continued. "You are a prince, and you must marry someone suitable, someone who's good enough, smart enough, and fine enough for my good, nice, sweet, beautiful baby boy."

Anli had to admit, she hadn't even realized she was staring at the other, her feet firmly planted on the ground as she stood, staring. The other seemed to be talking to no one, gaze fixated on something out in the open, and for a second Anli thought maybe she were having some sort of medical episode. She let her eyes remain focused on the other, unsure if she should intervene, call for help or let her figure it out on her own. Yet, instead of moving, Anli let herself listen, the words sliding off the other's tongue poetically. Maybe she was reciting a poem. Yet, just as if Anli's brain seemed to catch up with what she was saying, she watched as the other caught sight of her and made her way over, the words, "You are a prince-" resonating in Anli's ears, causing her to smile. As if on her own cue, the brunette tossed her hair into a messy bun attached to the back of her head as if to hide her long brown locks, finger pressed against her upper lip as if she were making a mustache, hand outstretched towards the other, following her lead. It was only when the other was in front of her and the words 'beautiful baby boy' left her lips that Anli extending her hand, grasping the other's as if holding on for dear life. She took a step forward, this time inches away and cleared her throat. "But Mama -" she spoke, heavy southern accent to add to the theatrics before she paused, realized her voice was still too high for the 'son' she was undoubtedly supposed to be portraying in whatever form of roleplay this was. "I'm scared." she whispered, but now without letting her voice crack into a laugh. @cheyennehoffmann

Anli let the words from the other's mouth linger for a moment, her own lips shifting into a smirk before she picked up her wine glass. She sat in silence for a moment, eyes shifting from him to the table and then back before she allowed herself to toss the wine glass she'd bought on her way in back, finishing the contents on and placing it back on the table. At this point her cheeks were flushed, but the smirk on her lips was saying everything her lips weren't. "You wanna get out of here?" she questioned, shifting as if attempting to stand. "There's no sort of rule for leaving this thing early if we get something out of it right?" @olliehoffmann

Anli nodded as the others admitted here was someone out there for her, though followed it up with a shrug. "I'm not too worried about it." she admitted. "I know Olivia deserves to see me and her dad both happy and I'm more than content being single too." she admitted. "We're there for her when it matters the most and that's the only thing I really care about. Having someone in my life to share it with isn't necessary." she shrugged again. The truth. Sure, Anli wouldn't complain if someone landed in her corner and they were truly meant for her, she'd cross that bridge then. At the mention of her and Daxton trying, Anli shook her head. "Not since we were in high school, but, I mean we make such good co-parents that I'm not sure I want to risk anything." she admitted. There would always be feelings there for Daxton, sure, he was not only the father of her child but he was also her first love. One couldn't just forget that. "If it's meant to be I'm sure we'll find ourselves back to each other." Something she'd said from the beginning, really. At the mention of custody for Olivia over the summer Anli laughed. "Because it's you I'll give up one of my weekends for you." she admitted. "Daxton gets her every other weekend but she does go over there more in the summer. We'll figure out a time but you can have her some" she nodded. "Take Mack's kids too and she'll never want to leave." @rubyelliot

"Of course that's totally fine with me and am fine if she leaves it here or not and if I remember correct Liv and I still need to finish the magical kingdom we started. We were planning the princess ball fest." @andielawson

"Good." Anli smiled, offering the bag to the other. She obviously hadn't asked what he'd needed carrots for; knowing him it was dinner plans or maybe just for a snack. Olivia had recently taken a liking to raw vegetables with ranch after all, so in the off chance that's all it was for, these had been a perfect purchase. She watched as their daughter interacted with him, letting them have their moment before Olivia ran off somewhere else, leaving Anli alone with Daxton. "You know she said something about that." Anli nodded. "I didn't ask too many questions I try not to pry on her time here but she mentioned something about it as she was packing." she paused. "All I know is she's excited to spend time with you. As she always is." @daxtonxhays

Anli listened as the other spoke, letting her smirk grow a little at his comment. Typical. That's probably all he were looking for. And if she were being honest with herself - which she hadn't done enough as of late - she wouldn't be opposed. He was attractive enough, and it had been a minute so maybe she were getting too far ahead of herself. Anli listened as he introduced himself. "Ollie." she paused, greeting him. "Sounds pretty good falling off my lips don't you think?" Bold? Probably. Did she care? Not in the slightest. @olliehoffmann