#capaddes

nico was halfway through his drink when he spotted a familiar face across the crowd and immediately brightened with the kind of grin that usually meant he was about to become somebody else's problem. he had lost eddy somewhere on the beach and now all nico could do was just try entertain himself while he waited for them to reunite. so he makes his way through festivalgoers with far too much confidence, stopping beside christian and lifted his cup in greeting. “oh, hey,” he said easily, amusement already coloring his voice. “if it isn't the florida influencer. or movie star? you ever really said." there was absolutely no shame in the title, or admission of not really knowing, either. “tell me, are you actually enjoying yourself, or are you still one minor inconvenience away from declaring war on the nearest parking meter?” he tilted his head slightly, studying him for a moment before taking a sip of his drink. “seriously though, how's your day been, darling? hopefully less dreadful than the last time i saw you.”

"something tells me you must love that cheeesecake, that's your second slice already." she pointed out. she knew the cheesecakes there were a favorite. the amount of compliments she had gotten from people about it had been the kicker. when she had opened up the bar & grill, she never once thought it would be this successful. but she was glad that it was. she was glad that there were people in town who loved it.

the grocery basket hanging from soledad's arm was already fuller than she'd intended it to be. coffee creamer, pasta, fruit, cat treats she absolutely didn't need despite not owning a cat, and a bottle of wine she'd inevitably convince herself she deserved later. standing on the tips of her toes, she reached toward a box sitting on the highest shelf and immediately realized she was several inches too short for this battle. without looking over, she let out a soft laugh and held her hand up toward whoever happened to be nearby. “sugar, can i borrow your height for a second?” she asked, still stretching unsuccessfully toward the box.

she finally dropped back onto her heels, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she adjusted her grip on the basket. “i swear every grocery store does this on purpose,” she said absentmindedly. “they see people my height walk in and decide today's the day to make us work for our dinner.” a soft laugh escaped her before she finally turned her head to properly thank them, only for her expression to falter ever so slightly for a fraction of a second. "oh.” she said simply, her smile disappearing instantly. for a moment, she simply stared. nicky santoro.

it was ridiculous, honestly, how one person could somehow embody years of memories and years of resentment all at once. her mother, the debt, the second job she had to get. all the things she'd never told him and all the things he'd never bothered to ask about. “right.” the word came out flat, cold, without an ounce of emotion. “i didn't realize i'd be running into my monthly expense while grocery shopping today. are you here to tax this too?"

"you're the reporter, right?" pam walked up to the taller man, tugging on the sleeves of her hoodie as she stood there. lately her mind had been stuck on a single track and she struggled to figure out where to begin. but seeing a familiar face was a push toward...some direction, even if not the right one. "can I ask you something?" she knew it was a long shot, but anyone who worked in media had a way of knowing things. and maybe he'd be able to help her.

"how are you doing?" the words were out of kitty's mouth the second she was close enough for nicky to hear them. she pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before sitting down next to him, arm linking with his own. while some people preferred space when something terrible happened, kitty found solace in company, in human touch. she hated the feeling of struggling alone. she'd done that most of her life. "I'm glad you made it out alive."

"please tell me you're here to enjoy yourself and not to work?" kitty shouldn't be really be talking about not working but that was besides the point. she knew christian from the news, but she'd seen him around town a few times over the years. they were never really part of the same social circles but that never stopped her from making conversation with new people. "unless you'd want to interview me. I look great on camera."

"Get you a drink? M-M-My treat." // @capaddes