scarlett rhodes

Romeo stopped by the bar where Scarlett worked at exactly 11:30. Knowing she got off at midnight, that gave him 30 minutes to talk to her a bit, drink what he could, and still be there when she got off her shift on the off chance she might be down to fuck. I mean, if we’re being honest, Romeo really wanted to hit it and he was hoping she would let him, but he wasn’t going to be that asshole about it if she wasn’t into it. Scarlett was cool peoples anyway, he didn’t mind her company, but he would appreciate it a lot more if she was naked and that was just the truth. He slid into the bar, nodding at some people he knew from his neighborhood. One guy came up to speak to him and he shared a brief word before he smacked the other man’s arm and gestured to the bar. Pressing his hands on the bar while Scarlett was processing someone else’s payment, Romeo smirked, “I’mma sit here if you don’t mind. This seat’s got a nice view, so I’m claiming it.” he joked, gesturing to the bar stool directly in front of her. He placed his hand on the leather seat before sliding to sit and resting his arms on the bar top. “You allowed to drink on the clock? Or better yet, you follow that rule if you can’t? Say no.” @scarlettsrhodes​

To say that she was nervous would have been an understatement. Scarlett was not the type to throw caution to the wind and just go with the flow and fuck whoever the hell she felt like messing around with that night — she was meticulous and thought things through. She was trying to be more... spontaneous than she had always been, but was cut short by her sober thoughts overpowering her drunken ones the last time. Maybe she shouldn’t have sent that text — but maybe Noah shouldn’t have divorced her, yeah? 

Scarlett first spotted Romeo out of the corner of her eye. She refused to look his way until he approached the bar and said something that made her... well, swoon. “How many time has that worked?” She was almost afraid of the answer. She didn’t need any more validation to everything she was feeling. “Why? What are we drinking, Flaco?” Scarlett didn’t bother answering him. Of course she drank on the clock and of course she was going to let him choose the poison. “It’s on the house,” she said, winking at him, trying her best to stay as calm as possible. Her ring was absent from her finger this time.

romeo: bet 🤪

romeo: see you in a bit then aye

scarlett: see you then

Arnav: Yeah that should be fine. How long does this paragraph have to be anyway?

Arnav: My parents are Reepu and Deena. I'm an only child but I have a dog named Dev

Arnav: He's a Pomeranian idk if that's important tho.

Scarlett: i think just as long as it needs to be?

Scarlett: cool cool cool

Scarlett: the more info you're willing to give, the more i can write, so i'll take it.

Arnav: Hi. Sorry I dipped out so quickly after the meeting yesterday

Arnav: Could you give me a refresher on your family so I can attempt to write this paragraph

Scarlett: Sure thing. And you can do the same for me. Just wanna make sure that what I have down is right.

Scarlett: So, my parents are Peter and Hanna. They're both from South Korea. I'm the oldest of three. I have a younger brother, Jasper, and a younger sister, Ruby.

romeo: offer still stands. no reply needed just lmk.

romeo: have fun at work

scarlett: i get off at 12.

scarlett: come by whenever, i could use the company.

Oh, hello. [Selena tipped her head towards her.] Scarlett, right? I have to agree. I just saw Romeo not too long ago. Small world! [Selena looked down at her iPad and back up at her.] I’m just catching up on an assignment for a class. I think it’s interesting. Though, I think I’m starting to loose focus with my coffee fix wearing off.

That’s me. [She smiled, delighted that she remembered her name.] Yeah, I just saw Arnav in the lounge, actually. [She shook her head, a smirk forming.] You a big coffee addict too? If I don’t have at least three cups a day, I’m practically a walking zombie. 

He internally cursed himself as he sat in the bathroom stall, squeezing his face in hands, begging the pain to back off a bit. And now he had to come up with some lie to cover his ass too. 

She was still where he had left her when he came back a few minutes later, her head buried in her phone. He grimaced apologetically. “Sorry.” He kinda rubbed at his stomach, giving a vague excuse. “Emergency… You know.” He picked up his belongings, shoved them into his bag and swung the bag around onto his back. “I actually have to head… out, class in 10 minutes, but it was nice… talking to you.” He gave a halfhearted wave. “See you tomorrow,” he said, before walking out of the student center.

When Arnav returned he seemed, what was the right word, scattered? She let him ramble and simply smiled politely as he gathered his belongings. “Sure thing. Gotta make sure you get there on time, I guess.” She waved. “Hasta luego!” She waited a minute before getting up and heading off herself.

[Bobbie was great at feeling the silence, but she noticed how Scarlett mentioned something about her only to switch focus again. Bobbie was talkative, distractive and other weaknesses but she was observant. Had to be given her job.] It’s being able to offer a good experience to people, maybe others like me that get super excited with hotel and spa’s amenities, it’s comforting and a temporary safe place out of their own home. 

Are you following your dad steps because you want it or…? [Bobbie’s eyes went wide with the Midsommar choice.] I haven’t watched that but I’ve seen enough tweets to know it’s a weird movie with scary moments, is that it? Like the remake of Suspiria?

That’s a nice way to think about it. [A curious thought popped into her head.] What place do you work? Maybe I’ve been there. We could have even run into each other and not realized.

True and true. More power to you for knowing both those things. [Shay easily let the topic flow with the tone Scarlett set for them. She choked on her drink when she was asked about being married though.] No, mom. [She joked with a little laugh to recover from her blunder.] Ugh. Men though. Just thinking about getting married is on a different plane of existence for me. 

Oh, sure. I haven’t had dinner but since you work here I’d trust you to kind of wing it for us. You know what’s good, after all. [She smiled when they fell back into their talk.] My little sister’s deaf and in the last few years, it’s kind of been an eye opened about how services aren’t just a given. I want to help her but I want to help other people like her too. It shouldn’t be so hard to just exist, you know?

Oh, right, right! It’s a family business, right? [Shay shrugged hearing the different responses that people had.] Well, everyone has their story and a major’s a major so no particular judgment here.

Really? [Scarlett took a good look at the girl in front of her.] You’re gorgeous so I can’t imagine you would have problems finding someone to snatch you up.

Romeo laughed, “Oh, word? Maybe I’ll be working next time you come. And Pozole isn’t on the menu, it’s your usual Tex-Mex/taco spot, but maybe I’ll make it homemade for you some time.” he offered flirtatiously. He watched as she had a little existential crisis rambling a bit and he wanted to say something but he just let her go off for a minute. His back straightened when she stood up and chugged her drink, tried not to let any reaction show on his face so he just smirked at her. He laughed when she called him cute in her little outro. Romeo gave her a nod to show he understood and didn’t want to push her if she wasn’t down, his feelings weren’t hurt (he’d been rejected before, with the rate he flirted with people at bars). “I’ll see you around.” he said his parting words, tongue on his lips, knowing she was off.

“Man, that’s a lot… of reasons.” The corners of his lips rose slightly again. “But I tend to agree. There are lots of ways to mess up… your life and having kids is not one of the ones I want to try.” 

Arnav listened to her words, and the tone in which she said them. He supposed she didn’t really want to get into that either. “Well, as long as we got that… straight.” He suddenly grimaced, and stood up quickly. “Hey… sorry… could you watch… my stuff? I’ll be right…” Without even finishing his sentence or waiting for her reply he walked away towards the direction of the bathroom, his hands clenched into fists.

"Sounds like we’re a match, then,” she joked, laughing as she did. “There’s too many ways to mess up their lives too and I’m just not down with being that responsible for someone else’s life.”

Arnav was sweet, if a little socially awkward, but maybe that was why she enjoyed his company. And now he was leaving her there with his stuff... “Um, okay?” She pulled out her phone to check her messages while he ran off.

Romeo was facing her now as they sat on their bar stools. She grabbed his hands and he noticed how much softer and smaller hers were in his own. His voice was low and smooth, “Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard too.” he said, let her linger on his hands and he knew they were a little worn. He’d switched jobs multiple times in his life, used to work on cars for a while, dabbled in construction, and now food service. He laughed hard when she mentioned the size of his hands, “That’s funny!” he cackled nodding to her impressed that she had the balls to make that joke. 

When she pulled away from him he leaned in a little closer, “Nah, nah.” he said, reaching for her hands again and turning them over to see her palms. He ran his thumb over the distinct lines on her palm, he knew a few things he’d learned from playing around with Xiomara. “That’s your heart line. Don’t ask me how I know.” he pointed out laughing, looking up at her with just his eyes, “Your life line looking good too, you gonna be somebody, look at you, damn.” he teased before he put her hands down on her lap, his hands on her thigh for a split second. “And your hands soft as shit so I woulda never guessed you working with dead people.” he joked, knowing well enough that wasn’t the only details of her job description. He had noticed the wedding ring when he held her hands, but he chose not to say anything.

Romeo smirked when she went on about not being able to cook. He was often cooking for his family since he was younger and it just became part of his life (also, he needed a job). “I work at a Mexican joint not too far from here called  No Manches, but it’s Tex-Mex as fuck and not too authentic. Mmmm, if I had to pick I say my favorite thing to make is Pozole, it’s a Mexican soup we usually only make for special occasions. Mom’s recipe.” he grinned, “But on the regular I cook a lot of street foods, my Elote is the shit, not to brag.” he dusted off his shoulder sarcastically. He cocked an eyebrow when she told him she was feeling guilty, he already knew why but nodded once when she exposed her ring. “I get it.” he said, straightening his back a little and taking another drink. He didn’t bother asking if she wanted to talk about it, they didn’t know each other like that. “Well, I’ll be honest, whatever ship we sailing here you the captain. So, tell me if you want me to stop and I’ll stop.” he said to her genuinely, respecting her boundaries but not caring much about the morality of the situation. He’d done worse. “Your move.” he gave her a disarming smile. 

“Oh,” she let out softly as he reached for her hands this time. When he spoke, she looked down to study her own hands in relation to what he was saying. She was genuinely interested. “Are you a palm reader on the side or something?” He teased her and she grinned. Her grin disappeared when his hands touched her thigh for a moment, but not because she did not want them there. For a moment she was breathless, and then it was escaped her as she laughed at his joke about the dead people she worked with. “I’m not actually working at the funeral home yet. That was always my dad’s thing. I was a nurse though, so I guess it still applies though. Even if the dead people were far and few between.” Her eyes lit up as he mentioned No Manches. “I love that place. I’ve only been a few times and never had the Pozole, mental note to get it next time, but the food’s sooo good.”

Most guys would have run seeing her ring, but there he was smiling. He was practically daring her to make the first move. Something about it sent a shiver down her spine and suddenly she felt more sober than she had the last twenty minutes. “Captain? I don’t even know how to sail anymore. I have sailed one way for fifteen years and now I’m... What does a sailboat even look like? I’m... what the fuck am I even doing right now?” Scarlett was freaking out. She rose from her seat, downed her drink, and stood a couple feet from his chair. “You’re cute and this has been fun and all but I have to go flush my head down the toilet, so if you’ll excuse me.”

I always enjoyed hotels as a kid, of course back then I didn’t have to put pay for them myself and also had no idea some of them are disgusting. When I had the chance to work as a temp for a restaurant that was part of this big hotel back in Tempe, I really enjoyed, it was very hard especially with my temper being kinda fickle but I loved the experience. I was lucky to be given another chance but because I never went to college or had any educational or professional experience aside from what I did for them already, my manager said they couldn’t promote me, saying it wouldn’t sit well with the other employees. So yeah, that’s why I’m here. Trying to get that certificate. No one will be able to turn me down for something like that.

[Bobbie blinked surprised, did she not know any of the references? Was she a jokester like Bob or did she not listen to the radio or watched popular movies?] Scarlett… What type of music do you listen to? And what’s your favorite movie at the moment?

What was it you loved about the experience? I thought about getting into the hospitality business but I don’t know, there wasn’t enough there for me I guess. And then I found nursing and stuck with that. At least for a little while, anyway. [She shook her head, realizing she made things about her again.] Anyway, I’m sure after you get your certificate you’ll be running the damn place. Eventually.

[Why was Bobbie looking at her like that?] Um, I’m more of a rock and roll kinda girl and... Ugh, I can’t remember the last time I went to the movies... but I did see Midsommar on Amazon Prime and... I mean, wow.

“I have not. But… I believe you.” Arnav wagged a finger in her direction. “From what I’ve… seen on the internet, you’re probably doing us all a… favor.”

Arnav felt his ears grow hot. “Um, thanks. I- uh. Yeah.” He looked down at his feet. How to change the subject? “So um… I wanted to apologize for… Kinda talking over… you while you were sharing about your dad on Friday. That… was kinda shitty.”

"Let’s call that reason number three hundred and nine why I’m never having kids.”

[Bobbie nodded and pulled a couple of crumpled dollar bills out of her back pocket and put it on the table before she used it for more drinks and forgot to tip her bartender.] Good. Very wise. Great reminder, thank you. I gotta start using a wallet the right way at some point. While my name isn’t Boberta, it’s always reasonable to question my parents sanity and they are proud to be eccentric and if his name was a nice simple “Ben” while I’m Bobbie, I would flip the table! [She imagined laughing.] My brother’s name is Billie, not William, Billie. Which has been very interesting for him this past year because Billie Eilish became this superstar out of the blue.

Scar sounds badass and I’ll be honest, I thought Scar was way hotter than Mufasa and I suppose there’s Rhodey? Like the Avenger guy? But that isn’t much better is it? [She tried but she clearly didn’t appear to match their personality and vibes.] Hey, who am I to judge names, am I right? I do think Kim is a perfectly normal name but I’m a white girl with an odd white girl name at most and I know people can be assholes. [She shrugged trying to show at a very superficial level she understood her father’s logic.]

[Scarlett un-crumpled the bills and counted them. She wanted to make sure that the tip was a decent one. It was. When she finished, she neatly placed them back on the table and smiled at Bobbie.] I get the feeling that a conversaiton with you is never going to be a dull one, Bobbie. So, Hospitality Management. What’s the goal there? [She wasn’t trying to be rude, just curious what the other’s plans were.] Sorry, but who’s Billie Eyelash?

I don’t know who Scar, Mufasa, or Rhodey are but I’m going to take your word for it, Bobbie. [She looked at Bobbie, giving her her best smile as she tried to follow her conversation. Maybe Scarlett needed to brush up on pop culture.] My dad’s also super dramatic. I swear, in another life he was a famous actor. The things that came out of his mouth. I think a part of him thought Richard Rhodes was one hell of a name. [She shrugged] I would have kept Kim.

“I ain’t lying.” he smirked. He was appreciative of having one-on-one moments with people. He knew sometimes in group settings he didn’t come off as the nicest dude, and maybe he wasn’t, but he wasn’t a bad guy either. He was content with assuming his Spanish class group mates would think poorly of him for the whole semester, and that was fine, maybe they’d ask him to do less shit. Romeo laughed as she played back with him, he looked at her for a short moment without speaking before biting his lip and smiling, “No need, I’m not resisting.” he said as he put his wrists together before him as a beckon for her to cuff him. “Take me, then.” he laughed, half daring. Now, he probably shouldn’t be fooling around with someone he’d have to work closely with over the next few months but, if she wanted to it’s not like he was gonna say no. 

Romeo pouted and nodded, deciding it was best not to comment on her grandmother being dead. But, what was up with this chick and casually dropping death bombs mid conversation? Read the room. “Must of been your off nights, or something. I can’t imagine you working and me not having noticed you. I don’t mean to be forward, and let me know if I’m making you uncomfortable, but you’re really fucking beautiful.” he said matter-of-fact. He laughed at her reference to him in class, “A’ight, maybe I was being an asshole on Friday.” he admitted, “I uh..I work in a restaurant, I’m a line cook. I’m studying Business, entrepreneurial shit, nothing special.” he looked at her, eyes moving slow on her face before he gave her a coy smile, “Mm, my favorite color is red too.” 

"You’re easy,” she remarked. Scarlett laughed along with him and grabbed him by both hands, pulling them slightly closer to her. She peered down at his hands. She had the urge to study them for some reason, the alcohol fueling her rash actions and curiosity. “You can tell a lot about a person by their hands. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.” It dawned on her that she had no idea what she was supposed to be looking for, but attempted to play it off and pushed his hands back to him with an approving nod. “Looks good to me. Nice and big.” The woman couldn’t help but laugh at that one. 

“We all have our moments, I guess. Just be lucky you haven’t seen any of my tantrums yet.” That was for sure. “A cook? God, the only thing I can make are those instant noodles. The microwave is my friend when my wallet’s looking a little empty. Otherwise? It’s takeout for me. Anyway, what’s your, like... your dish? If you have one, of course.” She shook her head at him. She pondered whether or not he would have answered the same no matter what her answer was. “Whaddya know?”