When she'd first gotten his invitation, Naina had instantly assumed it would be a working dinner and when he'd told her it wasn't--that's when she was left more perplexed because working dinners was something she was used to, this was making her question the whole thing. But she'd still met him at the agreed location and slid into the seat across from him before he expressed whatever he needed to.

andrew had felt compelled to show naina just how much he appreciated her. the two had known each other for so long and she had worked so close with him over the years that almost losing her had made him realize he needed to take better care of her. he couldnt blame her for wanting something more but he was grateful that she had agreed to stay if he took what she wanted in consideration.

Just dinner. It's just dinner. A repetitive mantra en route to the restaurant. Somehow, some way, Drew had gotten Harper to say yes and up until that point, she'd frequently picked up the phone to text him Gotta cancel, sorry. and save herself the awkwardness or whatever it was that made her nervous. But even without an excuse, she'd see him again. Drew was a regular at the bakery/café, someone she'd even dare consider a friend--but this felt taboo. Like a simple misunderstanding that could go horribly wrong. Or, it could just be two people grabbing dinner, and a friendship that lasted. The latter made her feel better. And thank god for weed.

Andrew wasnt sure why he was so surprised that Harper had finally gave into him. He had sure been persistent. Every morning he had shown up to the bakery asking her to dinner she was sure to break down and give in and she finally had. Part of him had wondered if maybe this was a big mistake. Had she only said yes to get him to stop asking? Had he been reading too far into her simply just being nice to him everyday? This could be an absolute disaster and even knowing that Drew had still shown up and waited around to see if she was going to.

the tipsy whale !

tana + your choice!

andrew had been doing better with getting over his wife leaving. he had cut out the hard drinking and bringing random strangers home night after night. it hit him that he was grown and what he wanted to do in his life the last thing he needed was to have those scandals out. however tonight he had decided to get himself a drink after getting some good news from work.

"Give a man the title of a classic, and you'll be forced to read his plagiarized work for life." Stori rolled deep brown eyes and sighed for dramatic effect. She'd never had any interest in going to college, she had far too many fleeting ambitions to trust herself to stick to one. "Your college professor sounds like he might be pretend-pretentious. I know it's like sacrilicious or whatever, but I find most the classics to be a real fucking drag." Floating on her back, she turned her face towards him, "I mean, Mary Shelley is a real badass goth babe I could not get through Frankenstein. I opted to do extra credit art based on the book, and the teacher suddenly had a critique for everything I drew- she didn't like my busty Bride of Frankenstein." Flipping up she looked upon him with a lightened interest, "Do you lie for business or pleasure?" Stori laughed a delighted sound as he swam closer, "All these fine things but empty on ideas." She clicked her tongue chiding him playfully. "You can borrow my ideas but I expect credit." Stori explained, "All the best pool parties I'd attended had either marco polo, play mermaids - you look like you'd make a great merperson and of course skinny dipping."

the man scoffed playfully, "i can not let you sit here and trash talk a classic man like that." though andrew didn't really care if she spoke of him or not. he hadn't really cared much for the author. over the years andrew had strayed away from even reading. "at that point in my life i was more concerned about getting wasted and having a good time. i couldn't even tell you about most of the book if im being honest.. or the professor." he confessed with a laugh. when she had asked him about what he lies for, "a bit of both. mostly business but i've found that it leaks a lot into pleasure." he explained. hearing her suggestions only made him laugh even harder making him remember back to his sister having friends over who would play those games. "i remember one time annie had a friend over who were playing something like that and i ended up making them both cry somehow." he told her. "probably best if we dont pretend to be merpeople.. maybe next time though." then he shook his head, "i think at a certain age you stop playing games and just enjoy whats around you."

It wasn't like Rhea's home here in Half Moon Bay didn't have a pool...it did, she just wasn't in the mood for a solo dip at this point and this party allowed her to feel a part of something which certainly helped that strange melancholy feeling she was battling with since her move here. She swam around the edges before asking him if he was celebrating something with such a huge party. His words had her frowning before she shrugged, "forgetting things definitely isn't a celebration so it looks like you're trying to distract yourself." Rhea mused as she shrugged while in the water. "Honestly--distractions almost never work, but between you and me--that's exactly why I accepted the invite tonight as well--figured it would force me to meet people and lo and behold, it did." She gave him another smile before continuing, "but the best way to actually move past whatever is bothering you--is by talking about it. So how about you tell me what's happening, and as a third party, I can give you my honest advice, and then vice versa?"

what was the point of sitting at home when you could hang out with people, socialize and make new friends. andrew had did he best to reach out to as many people as he could. he knew in the end it would benefit him in his political career after all. the more half moon bay residents the better it would be to get his foot in the door for local office. though tonight wasnt really much about any of that as it was about forgetting. he was destine to have a good night. "i suppose you are right. a distraction is nice." he admitted then he chuckled, "you did say almost.. so that gives me hope that it might just work for me." he teased. "ew, i dont think im really there yet to talk about it.. no offence i am sure you are a great listener." he confessed. "but i am thankful for your offer."

If Naina had any inkling that Andrew felt foolish crying in front of her—she’d have told him to push that feeling away. She wasn’t going to hold it over him like blackmail or something, he could trust that. The truth was she didn’t mind working for the man and while most people didn’t understand how they could work well together—somehow they just did and really asides from a few odd requests, she never felt annoyed in the workplace. When she mentioned tabling the conversation for another time, it was mainly because she wanted to talk to him about something else—getting a better title now than ‘assistant to Andrew Hayes’ because given everything she managed for the man—it was about time her designation changed.

andrew had always been big on holding his emotions in. it was how he had gotten so good at faking his life to other people. however at the end of the day he was still human and eventually he was due to fall apart. he was just thankful that it had been in front of people he had felt close to lately. he had known naina for a while and had trusted her. he had told her things about his marriage and life that he had kept from a lot of people. the thought of losing someone as close to him again was devastating to him. it had all been so much so quick and he was grateful when she had reassured him she wasnt going anywhere yet at least.