|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 14, 2024 20:31:32 GMT -6
Azalea spent the next couple of minutes texting back and forth with Natalie, her brother, and a few friends, but was stopped when someone ran into her. She frowned as she turned around, planning to tell them off, but when she saw Dustin’s face behind the cart bumper, she rolled her eyes slowly, her lips curling into that smile once again. “Hey now, I’m not a tower of beans to knock over.” She teased.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 14, 2024 21:07:02 GMT -6
Dustin's head snapped over to her, pressing his hand to his chest in shock. "Now that's just cruel, those were innocent beans who didn't know what was coming." He said in mock shock but couldn't stop himself from grinning as he looked at her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 14, 2024 22:29:39 GMT -6
Azalea laughed and shook her head, “And I should have known?” she asked with a raised eyebrow, though she should have known he would do something if he was the next person in line, at least, the old him would have. The line barely moved for the next person in line, “Are you still living in your parents house?” she asked, knowing she would have if her own parents were traveling everywhere, great way to be rent free.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 14, 2024 23:02:50 GMT -6
"Yeah, should have automatically known." Dustin continued to tease, knowing that was something he used to be dumb and tease her about when they were younger and he dubbed her the smarter of the two. His smile faltered a little when she asked about his parents house and nodded, "yeah, they figured I could live there and basically have it while they travel to their hearts content." Even though the house was technically his, his parents having sold it to him, they still showed up whenever they wanted and it didn't truly feel like it was his home.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 15, 2024 17:57:23 GMT -6
Azalea dramatically rolled her eyes, but her smile was growing little by little when she thought her heart was going to crack instead. She had to remind herself that he was just being friendly, they both were, nothing more would come of this. She could be friends, at least she thought she could, “Makes sense, I would hope the same if my parents ever took a break from the Diner and went off.” She knew it was because she and Natalie had no interest in running it, they did have Nathaniel if he wanted to run it, but he could remember who he was and drop everything.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 16, 2024 1:42:01 GMT -6
Dustin couldn't stop himself from smiling back at her, hoping that he could have another chance at her forgiveness and possibly somethin more. "Yeah, but your parents are bit more stubborn than mine." He joked, not able to imagine a day where her parents weren't running the diner but then again the same could have been said about his parents and yet they had left.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 16, 2024 11:19:44 GMT -6
Azalea noted the smile, hope flaring inside her, even if her life was outside of this little town now, she couldn’t help it. “That’s true, I don’t think they want to ever retire.” She shrugged her shoulders but knew her parents had given her sister a place to stay while she was recovering and helping her rebuild her life again. The line moved and she found herself just one person away from checking out, “have you made any changes to the bar?” She asked, already knowing about the spot at the top of the bar, but she didn't want him to know she knew.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 16, 2024 12:04:59 GMT -6
Dustin nodded, wondering if he was slated for that kind of life too. At this point in time he didn't see himself retiring at an early age or at all, but then again when he thought that far ahead all he could see was him...alone. He moved up in line, glancing around Azalea then back at her, feeling like he was losing time that he was lucky enough to have. "I was able to remodel the roof into usable space, it's pretty cool...you should check it out...if you ever want to."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 16, 2024 12:26:33 GMT -6
Azalea told her heart to keep itself steady, he didn’t mention what I looked like, the twinkling lights, or that he made it with her in mind, but she couldn’t help but jump at the invitation. “I’d love to see it, the roof wasn’t anything but storage before.” She wasn’t sure if she’d actually go, unless she went with Ari, or Natalie, though they might have questions as to why.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 16, 2024 18:23:08 GMT -6
Dustin smiled, "I know, it was a lot of wasted potential until now." He said, pretty proud of the work that he'd gotten done on it and how much people seemed to enjoy it while it brought in some good extra money. "You could bring Ari too, if you guys are still friends, she moved back to town a little while ago."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 16, 2024 21:07:02 GMT -6
“Well, I can’t wait to see it then,” Azalea decided she would bring Ari, and Natalie if she was up for it, she wasn’t sure most days. She would be good for a few days, distracted with work mostly, but would end up in a depression state for a day or two. “Yeah, um. She and I kept in touch,” she said, a little sadness in her tone before she moved up to place her stuff on the conveyor belt as the next person started to pay. “But I’m sure I can drag her out of her work for a night.” She was going to torture herself, at least until she went back home, that is.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 16, 2024 22:13:09 GMT -6
Dustin beamed, hoping she'd really show up, maybe if she did that meant he could have a chance to win her back. He looked at her back when she turned her back to put her things on the conveyer belt to check out. "It would be great to see both of you guys, I'll even get you guys a deal on drinks." He teased a little.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 17, 2024 19:33:16 GMT -6
Azalea finished putting all her groceries on the belt, placing the separator after her things as the cashier started scanning her items. “So, that means free right?” She teased, not planning on taking free drinks from her ex, even if he offered. She’d stuff the tip jar with money before leaving.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 17, 2024 21:36:21 GMT -6
After she put her groceries on the belt Dustin did the same, chuckling at her joke. "You'll only know if you show up." He joked back to her, not thinking she'd really show up if he was being realistic, thinking she was probably just entertaining him because he was there and she was stuck with him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 18, 2024 19:20:50 GMT -6
Azalea chuckled as she paid for her groceries before turning back to him, “Well, maybe this Friday.” She offered, wondering if she could get Ari away from work with that short of notice and hoped Natalie stayed out of her depression state and would want to go. “See you around Wonderboy.” She giggled at the nickname she’d used in high school when they’d pass notes as she pushed her cart towards the exit, wanting to look back at him over her shoulder, but forced herself not to. She had to keep some of her sanity intact, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to text Ari as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bri on Jan 18, 2024 23:09:08 GMT -6
Dustin perked up, feeling like this entire thing was some kind of dream when she used his nickname, a grin breaking out across his face. "Okay my flower." He said, though doubted she could hear him since she was walking out of the store. The cashier cleared her throat, snapping him back to reality as he paid for his groceries, hoping that she really would come on Friday.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiersten on Jan 19, 2024 18:28:20 GMT -6
(the end)
|
|
|