Paxton boyd

     As someone from California and then had lived on an island off the coast of Portugal India wasn't used to these severe winters. Even if she'd been in Michigan for the last five years it was difficult for her to fully comprehend and grasp just how bad it could get. With the warnings having gone out since the night India had wanted to stop in and weather proof The Vine as much as possible for what was to come. "I don't know about a hundred. That seems extreme," she commented, coming out of the back with her arms full of towels that she set on one of the tables. "I'm actually surprised you made it here considering how much snow. Last I looked out the window it's almost white out there. They'll have a plow or something come by soon, right?" How long could they be stuck inside? How long would the power even be out?

"It's only extreme if you hate romance." Paxton hated romance, or at least he had built himself up to believe it wasn't for him. In his eyes, everything about The Vine had an air of romance to it - the dim lights, the never-ending selection of wine, and even the owner herself. As soon as India had finally gotten to break free and travel the world, she seemed to find a way to romanticize everything he couldn't. She contrasted him completely, and in ways, that was what made their friendship so strong. "The plows probably won't make their rounds until it settles a bit. Too much more coming too quickly to make it worth wasting the resources." He simply shrugged, speaking as though he personally worked for the city dispatching the plows.

So much for trying to relax and enjoy the quiet... Paxton was home. When she'd first spotted him as he moved in a few months ago she thought someone upstairs might be playing nice with her in giving her an attractive neighbor. No, they clearly wanted to torment her. This turned out to be punishment and she had to wonder how much more she was supposed to pay. When she opened the door to see him standing there with a bunch of ice cream she immediately narrowed her eyes slightly... there was going to be a catch here. "Those aren't terms I can agree on. Especially since you haven't even stopped being a shitty neighbor," Sunny pointed out. The explanation came out and she laughed, actually laughed in his face just a little. "So, you had no idea that Costco was a buy in bulk store? Aww... you and your sweet ignorance." Smile somewhat pursed she shook her head. "Guess it extends to grocery shopping, too." It sounded like he was looking for an invite in and she wasn't exactly desperate for ice cream. "You're not really suggesting all of that to dental hygienist are you?" Really, she was giving him a hard time. With anyone else she likely wouldn't play that card. "I could eat but you've gotta make that offering a much better deal if you're trying to gain entry."

A smug grin settled into his features at Nadia's greeting. It wasn't hard to predict that she was going to give him a hard time - it was in line with how their interactions had been since he moved back to town three months ago. "How'd I know you wouldn't accept my first offer? This is the turning point in our relationship...the time I stop being a shitty neighbour. I thought two meant two pints, not two cases. It's not obvious that I only have condiments and milk and cereal in my kitchen? Grocery shopping isn't my thing. " For his entire childhood, Paxton had nannies who cooked all of the meals he ate alone - the only difference now was that his meals came from restaurant kitchens. "New Year, new me...right?" He chuckled at the mention of her job, easily seeing through the act. "Yeah, I don’t believe for a second that you don’t have a secret stash of candy hidden somewhere. My offer? I keep your big secret under wraps so you can keep scolding kids for eating too much junk and not flossing enough."His gaze flicked past her briefly before returning. "I tried making a pizza, but I forgot about it, and now it’s burnt to shit. Thought you might have something edible on the stove."

Ethan huffed out a laugh, adjusting his grip on the paintball gun as he peered around the corner. "Yeah, remind me next time not to underestimate a bunch of teenagers with too much free time and an alarming amount of accuracy ." He glanced at the other male, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Paxton let out a deep chuckle as he stood, still maintaining the protection of the paint-splattered wall. “Don’t worry - if you take a hit, I’ll make sure everyone knows that you selflessly sacrificed your life for me.”

Since Ceyda had been back home after graduating veterinary school at Michigan State, she'd found herself at Capone's Speakeasy after a particularly rough day. It hadn't meant to become a habit of hers. Yet, she walked into the speakeasy, only a few minutes after the opening time posted on the door. "You can say that again," she offered the bartender a quip, only a twitch of a smile hitting her lips. At his suggestion to surprise her, she found her brows raising, suddenly intrigued. "Okay, Mr. Bartender, show me what you've got," she leaned forward, "I don't have any allergies, either," she added, unsure if it were necessary or not. @paxtonboyd

Paxton smirked, shaking his head slightly as he picked up a glass and grabbed a few bottles off the shelf. "Well, now you've given me free rein, which is never a good idea. This could either end up tasting really fucking good or backfire and make your day even worse." He worked quickly, measuring and mixing with a practiced hand, throwing in a twist here and there. "Don't say I didn’t warn you," he teased, sliding the drink in front of her. He leaned in slightly, watching her expression. "It’s got a bit of everything...sweet, smoky, and just the right amount of kick. The real question is… will it make your day less shitty?" He gave a playful wink, folding his arms as he waited for her verdict.