Candice Riley

Nick could help chuckle and shakes his head. “I”m honestly not even sure I have a type. Depends on their personality and humor I suppose. Oh no, none of that. I don’t need to be boo’d up. Work doesn’t exactly give me a lot of time to date or even get out that much aside from these dinners” If he was honest he never did great with set ups. Sure he could be charming when he wanted to be but it was always hard getting past that first date. Schedules never quite matched up. He smirks over to her. “I can’t say they are the best, It’s been a while since i’ve had whiskey. I’m typically a vodka or wine guy. Or Tequila if i’m feeling crazy” 

⦿

Candice shrugged. “That’s fair. The ability to make you laugh is a really good quality to look for. You have a really demanding job and you see a lot of crazy shit, so being with someone who can make you forget that for a little while seems like a good thing.” She chuckled as he said he didn’t need to be boo’d up. “Hmmm, let me channel my inner Ángel Emmerson for a moment..” she turned to face him and straightened herself up so she was her full height, readying herself to imitate her baby daddy. “Now, Doc, you’re too damn fine to not be able to find someone who will deal with your crazy schedule and make you smile.” Candice giggled afterwards. “Those are usually his speeches to me when I give him that excuse.”

“Oh, well then we can’t do whiskey. I like an even playing field when I make a challenge.” she smirked. “Mmmm, I always love a good red or white wine. Tequila?! Oh shit, Dr. Nick! When’s the last time you went on a crazy Tequila fueled adventure? I know you’ve got some awesome Tequila stories. You have to at least tell me one.”

“Does it have to be either or,” Edgar asked, one eyebrow raised quizzically. “Can’t I be a mad scientist while also caring for a pet?” A laugh rolled out of him. Edgar didn’t consider himself nearly smart enough to pull off the role of the mad scientist. “It’s for my pet. She’s a ball python. You know, a cold blooded pet for a cold blooded pet owner.”

❍

“You can be whatever you want. It’s the beauty of America some would say.” Candice replied back coolly with a shrug of her shoulders. Snow moved in front of her sitting on his hind legs as the both watched the man in front of them. It seemed his wariness was up as well. She smiled slightly as he laughed and Snow seemed to sigh still considering him.

“A python? As in a snake?” she asked, giving him a nod. “I’ll keep that bit of information to myself or my son will be begging me to bring him over here to she can see it.” she chuckled softly. “Why would you consider yourself cold blooded? Do you need something warm to keep your body temperature? Winter here must really suck for you.” she smirked.

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen you and Superwoman in the same room before… Coincidence? I think not.” Ember lightly nudged Candice’s side with her elbow along with the slight tease. They listened as Candice spoke, nodding along to show they were listening. Ember, although they weren’t a parent themselves, could understand Candice’s hesitation. After all, not only would whoever she’s dating be courting her, but they’d inevitably have to court her kids, her family, and Ángel’s family on top of it all. It was a lot to ask of someone.

“Just… don’t rule it out if something comes along, okay? They do say love finds you when you stop looking for it.” Ember didn’t have much experience in that realm, but it was something they had heard repeatedly from other people. “Nothing really… I’m on Tinder, but it’s not something I’m actively invested in, you know? Nothing romantic, just having fun at this point with whoever’s interested.”

⊝

Candice chuckled as Ember nudged and teased her. She didn’t see herself as Superwoman, but it wasn’t a bad nickname for her she supposed. Candice smiled looking down as she heard their words. “Have you been talking to my baby daddy because you sound a lot like him right now?” she grinned. Ángel had been trying to get her to date for awhile now. He said he just wanted her to be happy and treated like she deserved. She would simply nod at him, but there was fear on her side that she never spoke of. He had dated plenty of other people since they had agreed to be just friends and it never bothered her. He was an attractive man with needs and wants and he deserved all the happiness in the world. 

“I guess that’s how relationships have always found me. I turn off my heart completely and then someone pops up.” she shrugged. It had happened with both Roane and Ángel. She did not have it on her mind at all and then they came into her life. “Ah, so you’re enjoying your hookups, huh? Nothing wrong with that. I went through a phase like that. Just having fun. I say have as much fun as you can safely and let your freak flag fly.” she chuckled softly.

Even before Candice had confirmed the man she was speaking of had passed away, Tasia had managed to piece that together when she corrected herself into the past tense. There was a heaviness that settled onto her heart at that, knowing that this woman she cared for had had to experience the loss of someone who meant so much to her… That was something she would have never wished on another person, but especially someone as kind and caring as Candice. Without another word, Tasia reached over to take Candice’s hand and gave it a light squeeze, an affectionate move she hoped would convey her concern but also her willingness to listen if the other ever felt like opening up.

“I hope you’re right… I loved to dance so much, but it’s been so hard to bring myself to do it again,” she admitted. “Lexi and I go out sometimes, but there aren’t too many places here where dancing’s the main thing. I guess there are salsa nights every now and then… I could probably start there.” A laugh fell from her as Candice explained the child’s ulterior motive in handmaking valentines. “I can’t say I blame her! Maybe I can make some with her, then.” Tasia pursed her lips and hummed softly. “I guess it wasn’t as common a thing in private school? Or maybe it was just my school.”

⊜

The gentle squeeze from Tasia brought slight tears to her eyes. She felt the meaning in the squeeze. It was similar to when Jaden would squeeze her fingers when she knew that Candice was tired or upset about something. It was crazy how Jaden always seemed to know. Candice always tried to hide her feelings from her kids. She didn’t want them to have a care in the world. Ayden was pretty easy, but Jaden would always look through her with her small hazel eyes. Just like Ángel could look through her and see what was going on before she said anything.

“Well, I do enjoy being right so I agree with you.” Candice smirked giving her a wink. “You can go into the city. Pick a week night or weekend and go there and go to a club. Not a popular one. One with good music and see what your body does. I bet you’ll find what you need to start loving dance again.” It had worked that way for Candice somewhat. She had been tempted so many times to do a weekend at a strip club just to get the feeling of it again. Just to feel free as she spun around a pole. But she couldn’t do that as a nurse and mom. So she built her own place. A place where she could feel free and just enjoy the dancing. No one had to be there to see it. It could be just her and the music as she worked out whatever was bothering her or stressing her. “I mean, she’s extra like her dad are we honestly surprised?” Candice smirked before laughing with Tasia. “Of course you can come over and make some with her. You can eat dinner with us and we’ll make valentines. Hey! It can be a girls’ night. I’ll have Ángel take Ayden for the night and we can hang out and make valentines, eat, and watch romantic movies. What do you say?” she grinned. She knew Jaden would love to have Tasia and her mom all to herself. “Odd, well, who would you be giving valentines too if you could right now? You can make some and we can deliver them. Everyone needs the valentines making and getting experience in my opinion.”

***

“Well anything with Julia Roberts is an instant classic so you obviously have good taste. Throw Richard Gere into the mix and I mean could it get more dreamy than that?” Levi let himself think for a moment what it would be like to be curled up on the couch with Candice watching rom-coms. It felt like that would be an actual dream and sort of the closest he could get to the perfect day. The idea of heart-shaped waffles made him smile and he stared at the a spot on his arm where she had touched him for a moment. God he needed to get himself together but he was too drunk to not be smiling like an idiot. “Well that’s a shame there should be a line all the way from here to New York City for a chance to have some time with you or at least a drink. That reminds me do you want a drink or can I buy you one, I’d be happy to. It may or may not be obvious that I may have had a few myself but I can tell you that they are quite good, even the fruity ones. Even though I’m usually more of a beer guy. Am I rambling a bit? Anyway, uh, point is, you should totally be taken on dates.” he figured that this was probably the moment where he should just come out and ask her on one but he looked at her and froze up, instead focusing back on his drink. No matter how drunk he was he just couldn’t bring himself to have the confidence. That and he figured it would probably be better if he asked her sober.

But when he saw her smile falter at the mention of her own mother, he reached out to brush his fingertips along her chin and her cheek. He didn’t even think about it or try to stop himself until he realized what he had done and sheepishly pulled away. He was sure he was fully red now and he mumble and apology, not exactly sure what had come over him but being near her had always been comforting. His own mood quickly changed when she asked about his mother and he had to look away, putting his glass to the side so that he could run his hands through his hair nervously. “Yeah, yeah she wasn’t too bad,” he replied softly with a shrug, grateful to be off the subject. His eyes widened at her suggestion and he had to let out a laugh before shaking his head.  “My wingwoman? Candice that is very sweet but I’m…I mean I do fine in that department and not to sound like an ass  but…hooking up with someone on Valentine’s Day could send the wrong message.” Not to mention there was only one person he had his eyes one and he was currently talking to her. “I dont know if I have a type, I think you’d have to ask Chase or Lexi what my type is. I mean..what’s your type?”

⊛

“Were you doubting my rom-com taste? I can hold my own in that department, okay?” Candice chuckled softly. “So what’s your favorite rom-com, Clark Kent? Since you’re like the King of Rom-Coms.” she teased him. She thought she had pushed a bit too much when she mentioned making waffles for him and poking  him, but he seemed to be happy about it. Candice had found that she became very open with her affection over the years. Maybe it was from the years of using touches as teases and ways to get more money for her basics, but she could be a touchy-feely girl with others. His smile was just another sign that he was getting more comfortable around her which was Candice’s goal so she smiled brightly herself. Her smile softened as her eyes looked down at the table as Levi spoke. Candice honestly didn’t think there was anyone interested in her in that way. After Roane died, it was just hard to see herself with someone else and she felt like she radiated that energy to everyone around her. There were still times that she found it difficult to understand that Ángel had been attracted to her. “It doesn’t surprise me honestly. I..I’m a lot to deal with.” she said with a soft shake of her head, not wanting to bore Levi with her inner thoughts of fear and worry about dating. She chuckled softly at his rambling. It was cute if she was honest. Even if it was drunk rambling. “Hmm...okay. I’m usually an Irish whiskey girl, but I should stay light since I’m gonna have to kids with me and I’m driving home. I would love a mango hard seltzer.” she replied. “And yeah, I’d be the best date after three graveyard shifts in a row. I’m usually unconscious for ten to twelve hours at best. Just ask Ángel.” she grinned. He had picked her up from the couch, chair, or leaning against a cabinet in the kitchen and put her to bed on multiple occasions after her shifts at the hospital.

His gentle touch against her chin and cheek surprised her, but it wasn’t a bad thing. Her fingers were soft and a little rugged from using his hands a lot, Candice could tell. Oddly enough, Roane’s fingers had felt the same way and a soft shudder ran through her body. She smiled over to him seeing his skin turn red and hearing his apology. “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” she told him softly. “Your fingers are softly rough. It’s nice.” He probably wouldn’t remember any of this in the morning anyway. It was her turn to catch the change in his demeanor as he spoke about his mom. His lips said she was okay, but there was something under it. Something more that he wasn’t ready to tell her right now and Candice respected that. Her eyebrows rose as he denied her position as his wing woman and smiled. “A sweetheart and a gentleman, what more could a girl ask for? And I don’t believe for a minute you don’t know what your type is. All guys know what their type is. You just don’t want to tell me yet.” Candice had to take a few moments to think before replying, thinking over her most recent relationships. “Kind. A person who is kind.” she said, with a nod. The song changed in restaurant and Candice’s eyes lit up. She loved this song! “Baby, you don’t have to rush. You can leave a toothbrush...at my place. At my place.” she sang before jumping up. “You want to dance?” she asked taking his hand before he replied and pulling him towards the dance floor.

.

Blake couldn’t stop the fond smile spreading across her face if she’d tried. A part of her wondered what Candice thought of her. Was she as easy for Candice to read as she was for her family? She hoped she wasn’t. Not only because she tried so hard not to be so transparent when it came to most things dealing with emotion; one of many things she’d gotten from her mother that she couldn’t seem to escape. But…she also didn’t want Candice possibly feeling stuck in the middle of knowing how Blake felt for the father of Candice’s children. It was a mess. “Please please send me those!” Her blonde hair fluttered in the breeze, snow falling around them, “I’m sure he’s already got it bookmarked but holding out as long as he can.” 

She laughed softly, “I’ll make sure to tell her you think she is!” She tried not to spoil her daughter too much, but she also didn’t want Sawyer’s birthday or Christmas’s to ever feel like her own had. Blake wasn’t sure if they were close enough for Blake to inquire as to why it seemed like for a brief moment the talk of family…of home had affected Candice the way it did. She’d seen the facial expression, one she was very familiar with. Did she push? “There really isn’t. I mean I loved DC…and NYC for that matter, but there is just something about being home. It’s not just the sights and smells and…familiarity, it’s the people.” Blake paused, “What about you? Do you get home often?” The question was asked softly and she hoped that Candice knew that she wasn’t expecting her to go fully into details she wasn’t comfortable talking about. 

Blake sunk further into her chair. her blue eyes moving from Candice to look out over the view of the ranch. She had really only made one resolution this year, stop hiding and running from feelings she’d tried to bury for so long. “I think I’m just looking forward to working at the cafe, which I guess compared to my last job seems… boring but really it’s amazing.” She paused, “You know this is the one year I really hope I keep to my resolution. What about you?”

⊚

“Will do.” Candice smiled softly over to her. She nodded at Blake’s correct assumption of Ángel. He no doubt had it bookmarked she was sure. Just waiting to see if the newness faded in Jaden’s eyes or if it would be there forever when she looked at the doll house. Candice was a bit different from most people. She had had some experiences in her life where she had to be observant and learn people quickly so it didn’t take her too long to be able to know a person. Yet, she always kept her opinions to herself, never wanting to offend a person, but there were some tells that Blake had. She was a magnificent person that Candice had noticed right off the bat. She could also some doubt and fear, but there were also feelings for her kids’ father that she saw when she looked at Blake. It wasn’t something that Candice was not used to. He was good looking man and it came with the territory. She just tended to feel like she was somewhat in the way of the territory or trespassing when she shouldn’t be allowed there. She had her time with the land and helped it prosper, she liked to think.

She was listening to Blake’s description of being home as she came out of her thoughts and nodded along with her words. She was in mid-nod when Blake asked about her visiting home. Her eyes found her children who were still playing. Ayden had started asking questions recently. Where was their grandma on her side. Did they have uncles and aunts that were Rileys? Did they have a grandpa? Candice would show him the withered pictures that she stuck in her back pocket before running from her teenaged room and out onto the streets in the middle of the night. She explained that she was adopted like him and those were her parents. He had asked when he was going to meet them and Candice said maybe some time in the future. It hurt to lie to her son, but there was no other way to say it. “No...no I don’t unfortunately. They’re far away.” she said taking a long sip of her hot chocolate. “We didn’t leave on the best of terms.” she said with a quick shake of her head. Half truths were how she survived this long. “But Ángel’s moms have really taken me in and it’s been wonderful.” she smiled hoping to not look like a completely depressed person.

“It’s not boring at all if it’s what you really enjoy. Everyone should be able to do what they enjoy. Then, it doesn’t feel like work, right?” she smiled softly. Her eyebrows rose as Blake posed the question back to her. “Uhhhh, keeping the kids healthy and safe. Keep helping people. Keep being able to work. Get the kids to speak more Irish. They’re practically fluent in Spanish and their Italian gets better and better every day. It’s the Irish that makes them cry.” she smiled softly. It was one of the many times she wished she had Grammie Siobhán and Grampie Patty around. They had made learning Irish so easy for her when she was little. They would walk around the neighborhood and point to things saying them in Irish to her and her brother and sister all the while teaching them little phrases until it just came together to make pieces of conversations then full on speeches. It was an old language that was barely used anymore, but it was her family’s secret language that no one else knew. “I was...um... adopted into an Italian-Irish family when I was three. That’s how I know those languages.” she nodded, sharing a full truth with Blake.

Enjoy the playlist from your favorite nurse! She will be listening to this on Valentine’s Day as well. Includes artists such as Sinéad O’Connor, Mariah Carey, and Sam Smith. Includes songs that were special to her and Roane pertaining to their two year relationship where she learned to love herself and him more than she ever knew she could.

Nick can’t help but grin as he sets a dry plate down. “Of course that’s what I’m hear for. Random tidbits of knowledge.” He chuckles at her response and shakes his head. “He was alright in his younger years. I can’t say he’s really my type but I’ll give him to you.” He shrugs leaning back against the counter. “Probably Count of Monte Cristo. It’s such a great book, with revenge and suspense” His head turned catching her stilled movement and he smiled at her question. “It’s beautiful. The cliffsides are pretty great. They are good people to, although you may want to beef up on drinking whiskey. I had a lot of fun while I was there, though to be honest its been quite a while.” 

⊘

“I love that about you, Dr. Nick. You’re like my very own Wikipedia.” she teased, nudging his arm. “I will gladly take all of that delicious man.” she grinned. “Speaking of, what is your type, Dr. Nick? Valentine’s Day is coming. We have to get you boo’d up.” she smiled over to him. She nodded at his book choice. She liked learning more about him.

Candice hoped he hadn’t caught her pause or thought too much of it as he mentioned going to Ireland. As he described the scenery of Ireland to her, she could see the photographs that she looked up on the computer pop and live in her head. Clearly it was just as beautiful as the pictures. “It sounds lovely.” she smiled before she went back to wiping the counter and washing the cloth before hanging it on the side of the sink. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about me and whiskey. I was bested once in a whiskey drinking contest, but never again.” she grinned shaking her finger at him. Many of her clients had loved whiskey so she grew a tolerance of it over the years. “How are your whiskey holding skills? Should we have a contest one of these days?” she grinned over at him.

Tasia was quiet as she listened to the story Candice shared. It was hard to imagine the hardworking, responsible person who sat beside her now had ever been a party animal in the past, but it was possible she had managed to get all of that out of her system before she ended up having kids. “He made you happy,” she repeated, her words soft. To love someone in that way… Tasia wanted that. She could tell there was something unsaid in the way Candice left it at that, so she didn’t pry, but she wanted to know one more thing before they moved away from the subject. “Do you miss him?”

She bit her lip. Tasia hadn’t been the type for self-reflection in the past, but she had done some once she’d moved to Amory, having to start her life over again. “I guess…” she began, her words trailing as she pieced together her thoughts into comprehendible sentences, “I have a lot of negative experiences associated to my dancing now. It was treated as taboo, and my family made it seem like I was worthless to them because of it. I guess maybe I’ve internalized it some and now whenever I go to dance, it doesn’t come as naturally anymore.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, she looked at Candice and couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips. “Well, how can I say no to cute Valentine’s Day pillows? You know I love some good pink decorations. Let me know when you decide to go and I’ll be right there with you. Oh, are the kids making valentines to hand out to their classmates? I’d love to help! I always saw them do that in movies or shows, but I never got the chance to when I was younger. It always seemed like so much fun.”

⊖

Candice smiled over to the younger woman and nodded softly. Even thinking of him made her happy. “He’s one of the three best men I know. He was one at least.” she told her looking down at the last part. She looked back over to T, not expecting her to ask more about Roane. “Every day.” she said a bit quicker than she realized. “Every single day.” she said a bit softer. She knew Tasia wasn’t trying to pry. With all the new developments, it made things a bit more fresh. “He passed away. Five years ago.”

It was now Candice’s turn to listen as Tasia explained her reluctance to dance. “Dance is a part of you and you are wonderful and worth everything, T. You are not worthless, Mimma.” she told her honestly, rubbing her back softly. “You’ll find joy in it again when your mind and body are ready.” she nodded. “Do you ever just go to a bar and dance? Like just fun dancing? Just let the music take over your body and move? Do you think you could do that? It could help.” she shrugged. Maybe that’s why Candice had the secret room in her basement. The situation of her past hadn’t been good, but the moving in those familiar ways did make her feel free at times. It also helped her escape. That’s why she made it in the first place. She smiled as Tasia agreed to go pick up some Valentine’s Day pillows. “I’m off on Wednesday so I can go after I drop the kids off at school.” she offered looking over to the brunette. “Jaden is making them because she wants them to be more personal. I think she just wants to have glitter everywhere because apparently the valentines at the store do not have enough glitter for her liking or so she says.” Candice grinned. “Ayden was easy. He wanted Sonic the Hedgehog valentines that have little tattoos in them. I think he’s seen mine and Ángel’s tattoos and has become interested in them.” she chuckled. “Wait a minute, you’ve never traded valentines? Can I ask why?”

***

“A bit of a secret but I won’t deny it if anyone asks. Oh I love rom coms. I mean Notebook is good but I’m more of a 90s rom com kind of guy. Like, Sleepless in Seattle? Man, Tom Hanks? National Treasure, truly. And Meg Ryan is..a dream.” Levi stopped himself, already feeling like he was talking too much but Candice had an effortless way of making him feel calm and nervous all at the same time. His eyes widened a bit a she offered to let him and Lexi stay over. While he knew he was capable of making it home, he couldn’t deny that part of him wanted to take her up on it. He bet she was a vision first thing in the morning. God, he needed to get it together or he was going to embarrass himself. “Honestly, that sounds like a fun time if you ask me. Plus, I love morning cartoons.” He shook his head at she spoke, not noticing he was actually doing it. “Are you kidding? Come on, like, just some nurse who’s a mom isn’t all you are and anyone who wouldn’t want to give you a shot needs some serious like..I don’t know, mental examination,” he told her with a soft laugh, rubbing at the back of his neck when he played back his words in his head. 

“To be honest that sounds like the best night ever. You’re like the best mom ever. Seriously. Your kids are so lucky.” He met her eyes so she knew he meant it. The more he saw her with her kids, the more he realized just how shitty his mother had been in the end. But Candice reminded him of the good times. Of how strong a mother’s love could be and how much of a difference it could make for kids. He glanced towards the door to see if Angel and the kids were nearby before looking back at her, unable to hide his laugh at her question. “Me and Lex? Oh absolutely not. She likes all meals, especially the ones I pay for but no sweethearts for us. Plus at this rate I’m pretty sure the only person she’d want to take on a date is Taylor Swift which..I can’t totally argue with.”

⊕

“Ahhh, you like vintage rom-coms. I can understand that. Pretty Woman has been a favorite of mine for a long time. And then they did Runaway Bride and I thought it was the best movie I’d ever seen in a long time. Like turning in her running shoes to him, my heart just melted.” she grinned putting a hand on her chest as she played the movie over in her mind briefly. Candice was brought back from her thoughts as he mentioned loving cartoons. “Well then you’ll fit right in. I’ll make you some heart waffles as well in the morning.” she giggled, poking him softly in the arm. She smiled at his words seeing he was being very kind to her. “That’s very sweet to say, but honestly, there is no line. No one banging down my door for much other than some friends getting free lunches and dinners.” she shrugged with a grin.

Candice smiled widely at him as he complimented her mothering. It was probably the best compliment you could give her. “I’ve always wanted to be a mom so that means a lot, Levi. Thank you. I also had a good one to...um...learn from.” she told him, her smile faltering slightly. She hadn’t seen her mother in going on eighteen years. Yet, she still remembers kissing her goodbye that morning as she rushed off to her shift at the hospital. She couldn’t imagine how Jocelyn Riley felt when she made it home to see that her daughter’s room was a wreck and her daughter was no longer there. “You must’ve had a good mom too. You’re a wonderful person so your mom had to have something to do with that, am I right?” she smiled. She liked how much he was talking to her. It made her realize that he felt more comfortable around her which was what she wanted. Her eyebrows rose at his words. She hadn’t expected that. Levi and Lexi just had this thing about them and she always thought they were together in some way. “Taylor is a babe, okay. I get it.” she smiled. “So, what’s your type? I make an amazing wing woman. Let me help you find someone. Doesn’t have to be forever, but even just for tonight.” she grinned as she started looking around for beautiful girls that she thought Levi would be into. “There’s a cute brunette at the bar. I could talk to her and you can swoop in and buy her a drink.”

“Dogs work too, though I hear they’re a little more high maintenance. If you’ve got the energy to deal with it after your shifts at work, then I might have to reconsider the idea that you are, in fact, Superwoman.” Ember couldn’t help but laugh at the plight Candice mentioned of cooking too much food. “I’d say that’s not necessarily the worst problem in the world to have. You get leftovers with whatever you don’t get around to, which is sort of like meal prepping in a roundabout way.”

Sending a wink in Candice’s direction, they laughed. “That’s my philosophy about parties, anyway.” They listened, nodding in understanding. “I get that. A lot of dating apps are really based on initial visual impressions, which is very superficial… But there are ones like Match.com that claim they match you compared on personality. Could try those? Might be better to know you’ve got some similarities already as a jumping off point for conversations.”

∘

“Definitely not Superwoman. Snow keeps me on my toes for sure, but he’s a good dog. I’m glad I got him for the kids.” she grinned. Snow drove her crazy sometimes, but he definitely was a good addition to the family. When she worked crazy hours, Ángel was nice enough to take care of him as well as the kids. Her hours weren’t that crazy anymore since she didn’t work at the hospital all the time, but she was glad that she had free babysitting and dog sitting services. “I guess you’re right, Em, but it still doesn’t feel all the way right.” she chuckles shaking her head.

Candice scrunched her face and shrugged, her head dipping from side to side. “I don’t know. Me and dating someone right now. I just see it as a lot. I have a demanding job and two small kids. I feel like it’s a lot for anyone to take on. I’ll be good for awhile longer.” she nodded with a soft sigh. The truth was that relationships scared her at this point. And giving herself over again for her to fall completely and they just leave just felt like something to avoid. “What about you though, Em? What do you have going on in the dating department?” she asked, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.

***

Without fail he blushed at the nickname, running a hand back through his hair in hopes of covering it up. “Ah well normal or not..” he shrugged, his smile staying on his face as he met her eyes for a second. The more he saw her lately, the bolder he felt, though not bold enough to actually do much but slightly flirt. Though he wasn’t totally sure Candice was aware he was even flirting. “Yeah, yeah I hear you, I kind of love, love, you know? I lowkey like all the cheesiness,” he told her in a whisper, laughing at himself before taking a sip of his next beer. “I’ve been having fun, yeah, yeah the bars have been great. Full of…alcohol,” he added with a snort of a laugh, cringing as he heard it and quickly covering his face. “I have the long weekend off so I figure why not enjoy it, you know? Uh Lex is somewhere around here, probably taking selfies or waiting for Angel to take selfies or convincing someone else to get her another shot,” he joked, glancing over his shoulder briefly to look for his best friend. “What about you, huh? You got any big plans? I mean surely the line of suitors waiting to sweep you off your feet is very, very long.”

∅

Candice had picked up on Levi being shy, but she liked that about him. Roane had been shy as well and she found it endearing. Her shy customers had always been her best customers as well. She smiled at him as their eyes met, hoping to ease his nerves slightly. There was no reason to be nervous around her. She tried to make herself as non-threatening as she could when she met people. The world needed a bit more niceness in the world. Candice chuckled as he quietly admitted that he loved love. “So you’re a secret romantic, then?” she smiled looking over at him. “You watch rom-coms? You’re out here Notebooking girls aren’t you?” she teased lightly.

“Yeah they are.” she chuckled as he told her the bars were full of alcohol. She looked around trying to find the little blonde, but couldn’t see her. “She does love her selfies. You two stay safe together tonight, alright? If you guys can’t make it home, you’re more than welcome at the Riley house. Just don’t get upset if you find a four or five year old waking you up in the morning.” she grinned. She had always thought that Levi and Lexi were absolutely adorable together. Candice laughed out loud as he mentioned a long line of suitors. “No, no, no. None of that for me. I don’t really have the time for all of that and no one is interested in a nurse who works all the time and has two small children. That’s a lot for someone to take on.” she said with a shake of her head. Besides, there were other circumstances that she didn’t want to bring into someone else’s life. “My big plans are to eat all the good on this food crawl, go home, give my kids their treats from me, change into our pajamas and watch movies while we eat said treats until we fall asleep.” she nodded. “The plans are going well. I’m just waiting for their dad to bring them here so we can eat.” she said looking out of the window for any sign of her children and her baby daddy. “Are you and Lexi doing the sweetheart’s deal? I hear you can choose from really great foods to make your box. Does she have a particular meal time of the day she likes the most?”

Was Levi drunk? Quite possibly. He was pretty good at handling his alcohol and it wasn’t as clear to everyone as it probably was to his best friend or his brother. But he was having a great time, not really one for Valentine’s Day but he wasn’t totally against love. In fact he was a bit of a hidden romantic but he hadn’t often had a lot of people to show that too or maybe he had been too scared. Either way, when he and his drunk self spotted Candice at the next restaurant on the list for the food and bar crawl, he hesitated a few times, talking himself out of it out loud before he finally walked over to her, plucking one of the roses from the bar out of impulse. It was a rare time he saw her on her own and his smile widened as he got to her and held up the rose. “Wow, Candice you look..I mean you always look good but uh,” he cleared his throat and held out the rose. “You having a good time?” @icandiceriley​

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Valentine’s day had been a normal day for Candice for awhile now. If she wasn’t at the hospital to help out, she was with the kids giving them sweets and hanging out with them for the day. She used to be the girl that went all out and did sweet things for the lovers in her life, but she found that they did not care or never showed up. With Roane, he always seemed to be gone on or around the day so while he did make sure he always gave her a present, what Candice always wanted was for him to be there. Still, she made sure to decorate some parts of the house for the kids. There were Valentine’s day pillows on her couch and red and pink blankets on the couch. Their bedspreads were the same or covered with hearts of all colors. Other than Christmas, Candice went big for St. Patrick’s Day, not only because of her Irish grandparents, but also because it was her birthday and she always loved the holiday. That would be the next big holiday that she would celebrate.

She pulled her coat off as she waited in the next restaurant that Ángel and the kids were suppose to be meeting her in looking around and smiling at everyone’s happiness and lovey dovey looks. She was glad to see so many people so happy. Her head turned as she heard her name and smiled as she saw Levi coming up to her. She chuckled softly as he offered her a rose and took it with a thank you. Her eyebrows scrunched as she looked down at herself. She was in a pink fitted sweater and jeans with boots. She hadn’t tried to look anymore special than any other dinner out with her kids and her baby daddy. “Thank you, but these are just my normal clothes, Clark Kent.” she grinned softly. “I am. I like seeing everyone happy and giddy.” she nodded looking around the restaurant before looking back at Levi. She could tell he had been enjoying some alcoholic beverages. “You look like you’re having a good time. How have the bars been? Wait, where’s Lexi? Are you meeting her somewhere?” she asked as she brought the rose to her nose and took a long inhale. She loved the sweet scent of roses.

Location: Outside of the Hospital Tagging: @icandiceriley​

“Ohh shit, is that..thee Candice Riley? Looking fine as fuck after her morning shift? Someone call the sheriff, this is illegal!”Ángel laughed as he pulled his truck up to where she was waiting outside of the hospital. “Hop in, Mama,”he told her as he reached across to open the door for her, leaning over to kiss her cheek once she was in. “How much time you got? I was thinking we could drive a little bit, go out to that place in Westchester we like? By the water? What do you think?”

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Candice had been looking at her notes on her phone of things she had to remember to do. It was the only way she remembered to do the things she told people or promised them. Her eyebrows furrowed as she heard a voice call her and then looked up to see Ángel smiling at her. She rolled her eyes and shook her head with a grin. “You are a mess!” she chuckled as she got in the truck and clicked her seat belt on. Her body swayed slightly as he kissed her cheek and she winked at him. “You are in luck, Sir. I got the rest of the afternoon off because a bunch of nurses found some new boos right before Valentine’s Day so they need some money for gifts and lingerie.” she replied.

Her eyebrows rose as he mentioned their West Chester place. “I love that place, Robin! Yes, let’s go! You sure your moms are okay with having the kids longer though?” she asked wondering if she should text them that they were going to be a little late picking up the kids for the night. “I don’t know why I asked that question. They always want the kids more.” she chuckled softly. “Let’s go run away for a little while. Not as Papi and Mommy but as Robin and Candi.” she smiled softly over to him.

Prior to moving to Amory, Edgar would never have called himself the neighborly type. His upbringing had taught him to be private – cordial, but tightlipped when it came to personal affairs. Living in Amory hadn’t changed that, but there was something about the place that had forced him to think more carefully about the facade he projected. The one that said that he was a harmless newcomer in town who smiled when he encountered neighbors but mostly kept to himself. 

The one that he especially took care to project whenever Candice was around. She was nice enough to him, always polite, but Edgar had figured out a while back that she saw through his charm. Which made him want even more to charm her. “Do I strike you as the kind of person who keeps a rodent for a pet,” he said, one corner of his lips upturned. He wasn’t quite sure if he was aiming for pleasant or wicked and hoped that the smile was somewhere between the two.

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Candice hadn’t always been observant as she was now. That kind of skill came with time and experience which Candice had plenty of. In her former profession, being able to read people made you money and kept you safe so she had honed it over the years. She liked to give people the benefit of the doubt, but sometimes, her head made her more aware than anything else. Edgar was a person she was more aware of. She saw the facade he liked to show people, but knew it wasn’t fully him so she tread carefully. She wasn’t rude or distant. Those emotions served no purpose. She was polite and cordial. Everybody deserved that in their lives.

Her eyebrow rose slightly at his question. “Different strokes for different folks.” she said with a shrug, returning his smile. “I don’t judge. Some people are cat people. Some people are dog people.” she shrugged, giving Snow a gentle pet so that he would sit, though he eyed the man keenly. “So is it your pet or are you a secret mad scientist?” she smirked.

Nicholas couldn’t help but chuckle and nods. “The movies are good though they never quite get the casting right. The show on BBC did a good job thought, the best Porthos. Porthos was modeled after Dumas himself.” He smiles and picks up a dish clothe to dry the dishes as she washes. “I honestly never understood either of those. Romeo and Juliet is held at such a high esteem despite it being a story about two children killing themselves barely a week after meeting. I know love is powerful but they weren’t even 16. and Catcher in the Rye is basically serial killer muse now” 

He chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah its not like that. Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans has the best mix so whenever I can I stock up so I have it on hand whenever I need it. My Mamon would give me crap for not making it from scratch but whatever.” He smiles setting several dried dishes onto the counter. “It is beautiful. I popped over there once or twice when I was in England. You would definitely love it.” 

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“Really? Damn, I learn new stuff every day. You just spit knowledge on the daily, don’t you?” she teased him lightly before nudging him with a grin. “I have to admit that I was one of the girls who was smitten with Romeo and Juliet. The movie helped. Leonardo DiCaprio can climb up my balcony any day. Yeah, reading Catcher in the Rye felt like I was on drugs as I read it and when I got older I was pretty convinced the guy was a psychopath.” she nodded with a slight chuckle. “So what is your favorite book you’ve ever read?”

Candice smiled and nodded, understanding what he meant. Her grandmothers would probably give her crap about not making pasta or shepherd’s pie from scratch. They were the same as Nick’s mamon. She washed her hands as the last dish was cleaned and started wiping down the counter and island of her kitchen. She always made sure it was clean for the next time she would have to cook. Her hand paused and she turned to him a she said that he had been to Ireland. “You’ve been?” she asked feeling her heart skip a beat. “Can you...will you tell me what it was like? I have no idea when I’ll be able to go, but I would love to hear about it.” Candice said turning towards him as she leaned against the counter. Just to get a glimpse of it would perhaps ease her ache that she and Roane had never made it back to his home land.