#coco hutton

R: I’ll grab our orders.

X: I’ll grab a table. *teasing* I know that look… How’s Rob? It’s been a minute.

C: Good! He’s good. He gets back tomorrow night.

X: Cool. Where’d he go this time?

C: Windenburg, then Verdemar.

X: Nice! How long is he in town?

C: *squinting* Nice try, Adebola. But this lunch is about you.

X: You’re like a dog with a bone…

C: Yeah, well, if you want us to have your back, we need to know from which direction the danger is coming. Be honest; is Yasmin gonna be a problem?

X: I’m always honest. That said, I really don’t know. I don’t think so, but I can’t promise it. As Ritchie pointed out, my contact with her will be minimal, possibly non-existent. It should be ok.

C: What happened exactly? I remember you alluding to the breakup being bad, but—

X: *deep breath* I… I cheated.

C: You what?!

X: Look, I’m not proud of it—

C: No shit! What were you thinking? I mean, what the actual—

X: I get it ok?! I’ve already been cussed out and beaten up enough for 2 lifetimes! I never hid what I did. I owned it then and now.

C: *awkward silence* Was it an ongoing affair? I mean, how long—

X: I… I don’t really know how to answer that. Technically, no, it wasn’t. *sigh* It’s complicate—

C: No. Uh-uh. Don’t do that.

 X: Don’t do what?

C: You said you own it? So, woocking own it. Life is complicated, but there’s right, and there’s wrong. Don’t pull that “shades of gray” bullshit on something this… consequential.

X: *irritated* I’m not. You asked, so I’m letting you know; it’s not that woocking simple. Physically I stepped out only once, but emotionally… I don’t woocking know how to explain! There was no flirting, no ongoing toying with the idea of… *takes a steadying breath* In a moment of desperation and panic—

C: My Watcher… It was Walker, wasn’t it? *Xander exhales in frustration* Son of a—

R: Well, shit… What’d I miss??

R: While you two were away, our team was assigned a new project, working with Yasmin.

C: With who?

X: My ex. *Coco’s frowns in question* Yes, that ex.

C: *heavy sigh*… and she’s the client?

R: No; owner’s rep. Callahan set up a meet & greet / site survey on Thursday for him, me and Zoe. 

C: Zoe? Does she know about you and –

X: No. And even if she did, she’s way too professional to bring it up.

C: And Yasmin?

R: Wild card.

X: Nah. Yaz is equally professional, if not more so.

R: That was before y’all had the break up of all break ups. On the bright side, you’re not client facing, so contact should be minimal.

X: If it were anyone else, I’d agree. But Yasmin’s super hands-on.

C: How long ago was the break up?

X: About two and half years? Maybe three—

R: But it was bad…

C: Wait, does she even know he’s in this studio? When you were together you would have been working on Grazyna’s team, not Luke’s. She probably doesn’t even know yet. *Xander & Ritchie look at each other*

R: You’re woocking right! Mm! You’re brilliant!

C: *shakes head, amused* Even so, you should make HR aware just to cover your ass if an issue does arise.

X: *sigh* Yeah. I’ll set up a meeting.

C: And for the love of gnomes, please stop dating colleagues!

X: *defensive* I’ve never worked with Yasmin. We met at a concert. Allegiant has only worked with us once before, and it was with Marcus’ studio. I don’t even think she was on that project. Believe it or not, I don’t run around woocking sims I work with—

R: We can discuss this more at Cooper’s, later. The staff meeting is in 20, and I need to make a few calls.

C: Fine.

X: Agreed.

R: Looky here! The king has returned!

X: *shakes head in amusement* Morning, Rich.

R: mOrNinG rIcH… That’s all you got for me? Welcome back! Had a good time?

X: Yeah. It was nice to see everybody—

R: Good! Hope you came back refreshed, ‘cause shit’s about to hit the fan.

X: *sighs* Can’t it wait ‘til my coffee kicks in?

R: Would that I could, but I need to warn you before the staff meeting.

X: *leery* Okay…

R: They’re announcing a new project. Octavia Moon & Thorne Bailey just closed on a unit uptown.

X: Cool. So, what’s the issue?

R: *lowers voice* They hired Allegiant as their owner’s rep…

X: *stomach drops* Oh, woock me…

C: And a good morning to you, too!

R & X: Hey, Coco.

C: Uh-oh… What’s going on?

X: Do we know who the actual rep is? *Ritchie nods solemnly* Woooock…

C: Seriously, what the hell is going on?

The Pinnacle Gardens | Cocktail Hour | 5:00 PM

*indistinct chatter*

Maggie: …such a romantic ceremony.

Carmen: Absolutely breathtaking…

Victor: *enthusiastically* Chidiadi, you son of a gun!

Chi: *emphatically* Victor Feng! How in the world have you been?!

Anitha: Are you friends of the bride or the groom?

Coco: I’ll give you this; your family does nothing in half measures, that’s for sure!

Glo: Xa-Xa?! Baby, is that you?

Coco: *smirks, whispering* Xa-Xa?

Glo: Have you been hiding from me?

Xan: From you, Auntie? Never. Hey, Greg.

Greg: Long time, no see.

Glo: And who might you be, beautiful?

Coco: Coco, ma’am. I’m Coco Hutton.

Greg: A pleasure.

Glo: *smirking* So, you and your mother have been keeping secrets, I see—

Xan: No, no, no… Coco and I are just friends— *Coco laughs nervously*

Glo: So were me and Greg. Most of my business comes from “friendship”. *both laugh*

Xan: Aunt Gloria owns a well renowned bridal boutique in Willow Creek’s Crawdad Quarter. She even, on occasion, does some custom design work. *Coco nods, impressed*

Glo: And I hope to work with you very soon, dear.

*Coco & Xan laugh uncomfortably*

Greg: *chortles* Quit torturing the boy, Glo.

*bell chimes to signal the Reception Hall opening*

Xan: Would you look at that? Saved by the bell.

*everyone laughs*

Ritchie: Then Zoe told him, she didn’t give a shit about the chairs and that they could keep ‘em for all she cared! “We are NOT paying woocking demurrage!” They really tried it too! *shakes head*

Z: Hey, play dumb games, win stupid prizes! *everyone laughing*

C: I’m surprised you came out tonight! When do you leave for the Creek?

X: In the morning; around 6…

C: *surprised* Train?

X: Zoe’s driving. *Ritchie and Coco subtly exchange looks*

R: It’s a long drive, ain’t it?

X: Nah, it’s not too bad. Just under 2 hours.

R: That’s a long ass ride.

Z: Well, I, for one am looking forward to it. Should be fun.

R: Well then, lemme buy you another! Trust me, dealing with his family, you’ll need it! *everyone laughing*

C: How’d you convince her to drive you to—

X: I invited her to dinner.

C: Why on earthwould you do that?!

X: *shakes head, amused* I thought you’d be happy? Aren’t you always calling her my girlfriend?

C: *nods slowly for emphasis* To make a point! Wait, are you two—?

X: No… we’re going as friends—

C: Friends who woohoo…

X: Friends who enjoy one another’s company. *Coco shakes her head annoyed* She didn’t feel like going to her sister-in-law’s—

C: You know your life doesn’t have to be this messy, right?! I’m honestly starting to think you like this s—

X: Look, I didn’t want to be the lone single adult in a house full of happy families, ok?

C: *alarmed* Walker’s—

X: No! But it’s just a waiting game at this point…

C: *gently* Xander—

X: You were right, ok? I mean, Zoe is beautiful and intelligent… she makes me laugh… *slight frown* I might as well just see where it goes…

C: Yeah, but I meant dinner and a movie! This is Harvestfest!

X: Why would I do dinner and a movie when we’ve spent the last 8 months—

C: Yeah, yeah, yeah… *Xander chuckles* but what does she think you’re doing?

X: What we’re actually doing; having fun and playing by ear.

C: Yeah, but Xan—

X: Look, Jiminy Cricket, I just want to feel normal for one woocking night. Is that ok with you? *Coco nods, taken aback. Xander sighs* I’m sorry… I’m just… I—

C: You ok?

X: Yeah. I’ll be in in a minute. I just needed some air.

C: Yeah… I should’ve warned you; they can be a bit much. Sorry about that.

X: *chuckles* Nah, they’re fine. They actually remind me of my own family.

C: Where do they think you are today?

X: Sick at home. *snorts* It was a fight to convince my mom I was ok; just run down.

C: Are you? Ok, I mean…

X: *thinks for a moment* Yeah. I’m not great, but I’m ok. *awkward silence* You can ask, you know…

C: No. You’ll tell me if you want to; when you’re ready.

X: Not much to tell. I floated the idea of starting something… got shot down. *shrugs*

C: I’m sorry.

X: Don’t be. Pretty sure we all know it would’ve been a train wreck.

C: We don’t know that.

X: I do.

C: If you thought that, then why would—

X: In the hope that I was wrong… Doesn’t matter. It’s Harvestfest. We should be enjoying ourselves. *silence* Rob seems chill.

C: *blushes* Yeah. He gets along surprisingly well with these psychos. *both laugh*

X: First time? With the family, I mean?

C: First “official” meeting, yeah. He’s met Cori, since she’s in San My, now. And he’s spoken to a few of them but not face to face.

X: How long has it been?

C: Just shy of a year…

X: *low whistle* What do you think?

C: I don’t know *blushing again*

X: *smirking* I don’t buy that… not for a second.

C: We’re just really different— which isn’t bad! Just, frustrating at times, you know?

X: I know. But you can’t help but love him.

C: Not even if I wanted to.

X: It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?

C: *softly* Addy—

X: Stop. That wasn’t a plea for help. You’re allowed to be happy. I’m happy for you.

C: I know…

Tavi: WORK FRIEND XANDER!

Xan: *Coco mouths “sorry” * Hey Tavi.

Tavi: You forgot to mention you were bringing a snack for the ride, Coco… *Xander chuckles* You gonna sit with me, baby?

Coco: Oh, for Watcher’s sake! Octavia, Leave the man alone!

Xan: *laughing* It’s fine. So long as you promise to be on your best behavior.

Tavi: I will make no such promise.

???: *with a Henford accent*And who in their right mind would believe her if she did?

Coco: *blushing* Xander, this is Robert. Robert, Xander.

Xan: Ah, the infamous Robert! Nice to finally meet you.

Rob: Likewise. And it’s Rob, please. Coco speaks highly of you.

Xan: All lies, I assure you. *everyone laughs* I appreciate you letting me tag along.

Rob: It’s nothing! Besides, I’m sure you’re aware that what Coco wants, Coco gets.

Coco: Mhmm… and don’t you forget it.

Rob: *laughs* Not a chance!

Tavi: We gonna get this show on the road? What is it with you city folk and your inability to tell time?

Cori: Who you callin’ “city folk”, country bumpkin?

Coco: *heavy sigh* My little sister, Coriander.

Xan: Hi—

Cori: I remember you. Tavi’s karaoke crush, right?

Tavi: Quit putting limits on our love, Cori!

Coco: Why are you like this? *everyone laughs*

Cori: We rolling?

Rob: Let’s. We’ve a long drive ahead.

Coco: What do you mean? It’s only a half an hour to Cinna’s *Rob looks pointedly at Tavi*