baby you're so golden

♡  *  &  ;  ——–    He did his best to treat all of his patrons kindly,  but he was well aware of the fact that certain people got preferential treatment,  certain people being Victoria,  of course.  He just couldn’t help himself,  the girl was beautiful,  charming and she was more than capable of carrying a conversation.  He didn’t know that she had a therapist before,  and he couldn’t help but wonder why she was willing to share that information with him so easily.    ❝  I guess some people just shouldn’t be therapists,  huh  ?  ❞    Fletcher shrugged at her words before giving her a small smile.  ❝  Where’s the fun in spilling all of my secrets for one drink ?  ❞    he teased,  gaze remaining focused on Victoria.  He observed as she finished her drink,  all to ecstatically.  He wondered how many facts he’d be spilling about himself by the end of the night.    ❝  Okay,  I’m a man of my word.  —-  I’ll tell you what you wanted to know first.  My favorite color is blue,  and that’s the first fact about me you’re going to get.  What do you want to drink next ?  ❞

Victoria didn’t bother did bother to hid the laugh the came from her because he was right, some people shouldn’t be therapists. She nearly glared at him, but he was right. It was only one drink, the first since he offered the deal. “You’re right.” She agreed with a small smile playing on her lips. Victoria waited patiently for him to revel something about himself. She was feeling a bit of excitement, to finally learn something about him. “Blue?” She questioned with a tone of surprise as well. “I would have guessed it would have been gray or something. I shouldn’t be so surprised though.” Her smile this time was larger, happy that she was finally getting to know something about him after her constant questioning. “Hmm, I think I’ll take a gin and tonic now.” 

♡  *  &  ;  ——–    So far,  things were going fairly well,  she was thankful for that.  She didn’t want to mess up,  she genuinely did want things to get better between them.  Raine hadn’t even thought about her life back in the big city,  she was all too absorbed with everything happening in Klover.    She nodded,  following him without any hesitation.  The last thing she wanted between them was an uncomfortable silence,  so she did her best to think of topics to carry on a conversation about.    ❝  So, a farm,  huh  ?  Are you happy doing this ?  Taking care of the animals and stuff ?  ❞

Stepping back into the barn, Adrian quickly got to work with leading one of the horses to a water trough. He heard her questions and wasn’t quite sure how he should answer them. Should he be honest with her? Let her know that his life isn’t what he expected to be when he was younger, that not all of plans worked out like they were supposed to do. Or should he be vague and not be completely truthful? “Yeah, I’m happy doing this.” He finally told her after a moment. He never imagined doing anything else, it was just other details about his life that he wasn’t happy about. “What about you? Are you happy?”

Adrian felt a weird sense of déjà vu and he knew why he was feeling it. The last time he shared a bed with the blonde, he woke up the next morning to find her and all her things gone. He knew that’s why he couldn’t sleep despite it being in the middle hours of the night. Was he afraid that she would run again? Completely. He didn’t quite understand the circumstances of how she ended up sleeping in his bed but he just knew that she was there, currently on the other side of his bed sound asleep. Her beautiful blonde hair surrounding her like a halo and he couldn’t help but take a few glances while she slept. Adrian felt like such a creep, admiring her beautiful face as she slept. He certainly didn’t have the courage to look at her so while she was awake. Finally he felt his eyes grow heavy and droop as he slowly began to fall asleep. 

Victoria had never seen a bar fight - technically it wasn’t anything close to a bar fight, it mostly just a drunken aggressive man who needed to go home. Fletcher was only one hurt in the mess with a small cut on his cheek. It took a lot of convincing but Victoria manged to convince him of course and now she was patching up the cut on his face. She dabbed a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide on the cut. “Sorry if that stings,” She apologized beforehand feeling a bit bad before wiping some neosporin and then quickly placing a bandage in it’s spot. “Okay, you’re all good.” Victoria gave him a small smile before realizing she’s stood a bit too closely and stepped back. 

The words immediately seemed to calm Adrian down. Which was interesting. Adrian didn’t have friends, he preferred to keep to himself and focus on his family and keeping the farm afloat. He recognized Nick from around town and knew who he was of course. The relief he felt after he said those words, it was as if Adrian had known him from years and the words came from a close friend. Adrian felt his throat tighten with emotion and quickly turned his attention away from Nick to the ground below his feet. “Thanks man.” 

Friendships had always been something that Lara seemed to struggle a bit with, though it was less fault of others than her own. She had a habit of pulling away from people when she was going through an internal struggle, and wasn’t the best at accepting a helping hand when it wasn’t from her family. In light of that, Lara had been trying to make more of an effort to make some new friends. One of those happened to be Kiana, after running into the other woman over and over again around town. Eventually, they decided to exchange numbers and have a real meeting for coffee and to get to know each other better.

It was to this that Lara was heading, a peasant blouse and fitting jeans on her figure, opening the door of the coffee shop. Before ordering her brown eyes went through the other customers, lighting up when they saw her friend. Waving a little shyly, Lara mouthed that she was going to order first. About ten minute later, the strawberry blonde was striding over with a large iced tea and two slices of banana nut bread. “It’s nice to actually plan to meet you instead of accidentally running into you.” She says a little breathlessly, scooting forward  in  her seat. “Hope I didn’t make you wait too long.”

Kiana nodded her head once she understood what she was trying to say. She took a drink of the iced latte with that her focus turned back to the table as she began to fiddle with the empty muffin wrapper again. Lara’s voice almost startled her but she put a smile on her face as she sat down. “I know. It’s nice to actually sit down with you.” She told her with a smile still on her face. “I haven’t been here too long either, I actually just sat down.” She attempted to reassure her. Kiana wasn’t the best when it came to small talk unless it pertained to her job or it was someone she was already comfortable with. “So how long have you lived in Klover?” She asked hoping to keep their conversation light. 

Her brow is so furrowed in remembered annoyance that she doesn’t notice Marcus’s chuckle, but if she had noticed Casey wouldn’t have been surprised. As long as the person she’s pissed at isn’t him, he’s found her ire to be entertaining before. “You’d be surprised at how often people like to act like they’re not whole grown adults, babe.” She sighs, a little grin turning her lips. “He’ll be fine in the long run, but there’s only so much I can do about the information being out there. I’m glad you had a better day than I did.”

“You’re right I would be surprised.” He quickly agreed with her. Marcus nodded her head at her and was glad she was doing her best to be positive despite the day she had. “It was long but I’m actually glad now that you’re home.” Marcus admitted freely not feeling shy about his feelings. He finished his dinner within the next bite and then moved to take his empty plate to the kitchen. “What I really want to talk about is this weekend. Are you still going to be able to leave early on Friday so we can go to Denver for the weekend?” He asked her once he was back in the room. 

♡  *  &  ;  ——–    Fletcher wasn’t surprised whatsoever that Victoria was accustomed to getting exactly what she wanted.  With a face like hers,  he imagined it was quite easy to get things.  He laughed at her words,  he found himself amused by their conversation.    ❝  Yeah,  I’m sure you do get what you want for the most part.  Persistent people do tend to get their way.    ❞    Victoria certainly wasn’t bad company,  she was much nicer to be around than most people.

He chuckled slightly,  licking his lips.    ❝   Well,  I don’t get paid the big bucks to be a professional therapist,  but it sorta comes with the role of bartender.    ❞    He was hoping that she would just stop asking him questions about himself after a few drinks and she wouldn’t ask him anymore after,  but he was sure that was just wishful thinking.    ❝   No,  of course I’m not trying to get you drunk,    ❞    he replied,  shaking his head.    ❝   One vodka cranberry coming right up,    ❞    he stated before he went to make the drink.  Fletcher came back a few moments later with the vodka cranberry prepared for her.  ❝   Here ya go.  Drink up.    ❞

When Fletcher smiled and laughed at her words the way he does all it does is just grow her fixation on getting to know him more. She knows it’s just part of his job to engage customers but sometimes it feels like it’s more, that he’s actually enjoying the conversations with her. “Well you definitely should get paid those big bucks, you’re certainly a lot easier to talk to than my old therapist.” She admitted honestly with a grin on her face. After her childhood career in Hollywood ended, Victoria seen a therapist for years afterwards. It seemed like everyone in Hollywood was seeing a therapist though. “It seems like you are if I only get one face about you per drink.” She joked. Once he was finished with the drink, Victoria quickly took a drink. “I hope you’re ready to tell me about yourself.” She told him before finishing her drink and scrunching her face up afterwards. “Alright come.” She prompted a bit too eagerly. 

♡  *  &  ;  ——–    Raine knew that having her around probably wasn’t the greatest feeling for him,  she hoped that eventually,  Adrian would be able to forgive her,  but she wouldn’t hold her breath.  She knew that she’d made mistakes,  and she had to be held accountable for her own actions.  She nodded at his words,  teeth capturing her lesser lip momentarily.  She glanced at the house,  then back at the man in front of her.    ❝  I’ll walk with you,  ❞    she told him,  not wanting to stay in the house by herself.  She thought it’d be strange,  and she would rather spend whatever time she could with Adrian,  trying to make things up to him as best she could.  ❝  I mean,  if you’re okay with it,  of course.  ❞

Adrian was definitely feeling a bit nervous when she agreed to walk with him. His mind quickly began wandering with what else she could possibly want to talk to him about. She had already shattered his heart so many years ago, she could have said anything to make it worse. She already had earlier by showing up unannounced at his doorstep asking for a divorce. He finally nodded his head towards the horse barn from where he just came. “Come on, shouldn’t be too long.” He told her before walking back into the barn to finish the job. 

Mari Cortez was, unfortunately for her, firmly still within her childbearing years. Her uterus hadn’t quite gotten the memo that as a lesbian, it was never going to get fertilized, and as such on this auspicious Thursday she was riddled with cramps and a bad attitude. The only solution for this sort of thing was a friend, some extra strength Tylenol, and a shitload of things that she liked, so after plopping a little kiss on Mercury’s head and promising not to be long, the mechanic headed out.

It was to Roman’s pizzeria that she headed, the home of what she was convinced was the most delicious pizza in the world even aside from her own personal bias. There just wasn’t much in the world that his bacon barbecue pizza could not cure, and dammit Mari was going to get herself some. The place was hopping, as it was quite popular, but she was glad to find her usual spot unoccupied. She came here so often and was a known enough friend of the owner that they didn’t even give her a menu, just said hello and gave her a bottle of her favorite beer, which she cracked into with no small measure of gratefulness. Mari’s little pleased post-beer sip smile was interrupted by the appearance of her friend, making the grin grow in volume. “If it isn’t Pizza Mario himself.  Or should I say Pizza Roman?”

tagging:  @goodintcntions·

Friday nights always tended to be just slight busier than normal. Of course the pizzeria he named after himself always seemed to be in a constant state of busy, especially in the evenings. He had been working in the kitchen when he was caught sight of Mari in her usual spot. He should of had known it was her when he came across the order for the bacon barbecue pizza that was rarely ordered by anyone else. It was later in the evening and things in the kitchen were finally starting to slow down and was an okay spot to step out and to talk to his friend.

Roman dropped in the empty seat across from her. “That’s not funny and you should really stop saying that.” He told her with a small grin on his face. “I should have expected to see you tonight. I know you can’t stay away from me too long.” He joked giving her small wink as he sat back in the seat. “What are you up to tonight besides hogging the best seat in the place?”

Nate’s head shook in disagreement. “I’m all kinds of funny and you know it.” He raised his hands in surrender, smiling. “Alright, alright, you know what, you got me.” His tone of voice shifted, cause he knew Kiana could fight if she put her mind to it. He thought maybe one day he just might put it to the test. “I sure as hell wouldn’t want no smoke.” A chuckled followed. 

Nate’s face scrunched up as her listened to Kiana’s painful plans of the day. He was thankful that he had no life himself to be able to save her from laundry. “Other than raid your fridge?” Nate shrugged. There could’ve been plenty of other people he could have hung out with but Kiana was the only one who was worth the time. A true friend, unlike all the historic false friendships he made. “I guess work on the next chapter of my book… or swallow each edited draft in paper form so they never see daylight.” 

His head fell backwards. A headache swirled at the thought of … nothing! That was the most frustrating part. Not knowing a single thing to discuss. “I’m running low on the muse fuel.”

Kiana shook her head, Of course she thought Nate was funny, would she ever willingly admit that out loud? Definitely not, she knew he would never let her forget about telling him that. “I know.” She agreed confidently and let out a laugh at the words that came from him next. She hadn’t ever been in a fight before but she was strong and worked out a handful of days through out the week. She was pretty confident she could defend herself if it was really needed. “Of course you’re here to raid my fridge.” She joked. “There’s actually some leftovers if you’re really hungry.” She added after a moment. 

She studied him for a moment. “Well it’s a good thing you came over. I’m always here to help.” Kiana offered the help with a small smile. “Are you hungry? I could always make you dinner? Maybe some food will help you find?” She asked a smile still on her face. “Or we could always go out if that’ll help.”

She sat in the small coffee shop the two agreed to meet up at, Kiana was fiddling with the wrapper that she peeled from muffin that sat in front of her. She didn’t get nervous and she couldn’t quite understand why she was feeling so. Sure she was meeting up with a somewhat new person and Kiana loved making good impressions on people. That’s when she heard the bell above the entrance door ring pulling her from her thoughts. She looked up to see her newest friend before smiling and giving a small wave to the girl to let her know she was already hear.

closed starter for @loloskids​

There was something lovely about how comforting it was to just be able to sit down and have dinner with her husband, Her knee stays touching his under the table, a soft reminder of the casual intimacy between the two of them. Remembering how annoying her day was was kind of getting on her nerves made another harsh noise escape from her. “Jay decided to try his hand at being an even bigger dumbass, and in those emails was information about some insider trading. If people would just tell me about the shady stuff they’re doing life would be a lot easier.” She sort of stabs at her chicken, chewing with a vengeance. “If he was smarter I guess I wouldn’t get paid as much as I do, but they do give me the biggest headache sometimes.” Casey grumbles, feeling almost as if her clients were her responsibility.

Marcus listened to her quietly and watched as she stab at the food in front of her before chewing intensely. He had to cover his mouth with an empty hand so he wouldn’t laugh at her and to hid the small smile that was beginning to form on his face. He knew she was just venting about her day but whenever she was mad, Marcus couldn’t help but he thought it was absolutely adorable and he didn’t want to invalid her ranting by laughing. He took a drink of his water before looking back at her. “You’re right though. If he was smarter he probably would even need you, you’re the best for a reason.” He complimented her with grin on his face. “But knowing you and how great you are, I know you’ll get if figured out.”

His head peered up as the bedroom door opened, revealing Kiana. “Ah, she is alive! Was thinking the hotel laundry shoot swallowed you whole to stop you from leaving.” The corner of his lips perked up into a smile. His eyes followed as she made her way over to him to the couch. He raised his drink as an offer. 

A chuckle followed the end of Kiana’s sentence. “And have what?” He tilted his head. “Excuses on why you can’t spend it with moi?” Nate shook his head. “Nah, no can’t have that.” Truthfully speaking, if he wasn’t here, there’d be nothing else he’d be doing other than staring at his ceiling and wanting to smother himself with a pillow. “Although, you know what? Seeing you attempt to fight woulda been a good one.” It was easy to tease Kiana. She knew how to take a joke and more so knew how to have a laugh.

“What were you doing anyway?” Nate squinted with curiosity, a little hopeful she was doing something more thrilling than him anyway. “No, forget that question–– what have you got planned for your only day off?” He spoke with inquisition, taking another sip of his drink before leaning forward to place it down on the coffee table. 

Kiana rolled her eyes as she pulled her knees to her chest getting comfortable on the couch. “As if you would take any excuse of mine.” She told him honestly, not that she minded having a friend who could see through her bullshit. Kiana honestly needed someone like that in her life. She pretended to give a look of shock at the words that came out his mouth. “Have I ever told you that you’re not funny?” She teased him right back with a smile playing along her lips. “You know I could probably knock you on you ass too, I would be careful if I were you.” She added this time with a laugh afterwards. 

She gave him an odd look and watched as he set his drink down on her coffee table. “I was just doing laundry.” Kiana answered anyways. “It needed done, badly. It was driving me crazy and today was the first time I actually had time to do it.” She rambled a bit, she was glad she stopped when she did. No one wanted to hear here talk about doing laundry. “I didn’t really have any plans, lucky for you.” She joked. “What would you have done if I wasn’t home?”