𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨.

𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨. is a multi-muse dependent blog for turtlebay-rpg // written by 𝙢

[oceangraces]

𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨. is a multi-muse dependent blog for turtlebay-rpg // written by 𝙢

GRACE SANDERS — (twenty-six, cis female, she/her) Born on March 4th, 2000. Turtle Bay Native. Research Assistant at the Marine Conservation.

intro. / connections.

NESTORE RENAUD — (thirty-three, cis male, he/him) Born on August 15th, 1992. Newcomer. Travel blogger & influencer.

intro. / connections.

SEBASTIAN “BASH” VALENKO — (twenty-eight, cis male, he/him) Born on November 3rd, 1997. Turtle Bay Local. F1 Racing Driver.

intro. / connections.

BRIAR (BREE) ELISE MARTIN — (thirty-nine, cis female, she/her) Born on October 3rd, 1986. Turtle Bay Native. Elite Brand & Image Manager.

intro. / connections.

DAISY THALIA ANDERSON (née MORETTI) — (forty-two, cis female, she/her) Born on April 13 th, 1984. Turtle Bay Native. Sommelier at Wine & Dine.

intro. / connections.

ANTONIO 'TONI' VITALE — (thirty-eight, cis male, he/him) Born on May 11 th, 1988. Turtle Bay Newcome. Owner of Bed & Breakfast.

intro. / connections.

[ofwildxhearts]

Jeremy was exhausted but he did his best not to let it show. Looking over at the hatchlings for a moment. Allowing a small smile to come to his lips. "That I do every time. Every time it amazes me so." Which was true. It did. Sometimes he liked being here more than at home. It was less lonely and not to mention the place was honestly his home away from home. So there was that. It used to be the theater but after what happened, this place became his second home. With him directing at the theater coming in third.

Walking next to her, once he got the door for her and she went through it. He followed, closing the door behind them. "You are most certainly welcome." Feeling her nudge him, he smiled while looking over at her. "Fine, fine you can totally bring me actual good besides ramen noodles. Which I'm planning on living off for the next three days."

[oceangraces]

Grace laughed, looking over at him as they stepped out into the warm evening air. "Jeremy..." There was an unmistakable note of fond exasperation in her voice. "You do realize ramen isn't an actual food group, right?"

She gave him another gentle bump with her shoulder. "I swear, if I leave you alone for more than forty-eight hours, you'll either survive entirely on instant noodles or forget meals exist altogether." A smile tugged at her lips. "Good thing I'm around."

The parking lot came into view, both of them instinctively heading toward their cars after countless shifts ending exactly like this. "How about this?" Grace glanced over at him. "You let me bring you something that didn't come from a microwave tomorrow. I'll make enough for two, swing by before my shift, and if I find a single cup of ramen on your desk…" She narrowed her eyes playfully. "…I'm throwing it away."

[ofwildxhearts]

Lyra didn't understand why she had even came here tonight. Maybe she just wanted some company but seriously half of these guys and some girls in this town are half boring or trying to turn on some sort of charm and well Lyra wasn't buying anyone's crap. Honestly she zoned out and didn't pay attention half the time. Giving the occasional nod and 'thats nice'. When the guy slipped into the empty sit, she took a small sip of her drink. "Oh, trust me I hope I am. Just like I hope you are just as interesting." She pointed out with a small smile. "Tell me what the other three did so I don't sound as boring as them."

[oceangraces]

"I like you already." Sebastian leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth already tugging upward. Finally. Someone who wasn't pretending this whole thing wasn't ridiculous. "That's infinitely more interesting than asking me what my five-year plan is."

He reached for the glass of whiskey sitting between them, lazily swirling what remained before taking a sip. His eyes met hers again, amusement dancing behind them. "The first person spent four minutes explaining why every ex she'd ever had was emotionally unavailable." His shoulders rose in an indifferent shrug. "The second recognized me before I even sat down. I hadn't even introduced myself before she asked what it was like driving at two hundred miles an hour." A laugh escaped him. "As for the third... I honestly gave up listening after she'd mentioned something about astrology."

"I've got a question for you." His expression shifted into something more playful. "Let's say this speed dating thing ends right now. No numbers. No expectations. You never see anyone here again." His brows lifted slightly. "Who would you actually have walked over to?"

[thestormsxmelodies]

Henric always loved using fresh produce in his cooking. He knew that the best often were gone by mid morning and so he always got up early to get the freshest, ripest produce, freshest sea food too. Plus there was something about the morning that the chef and model loved and enjoyed. Being awake before the sun was up. Maybe it was growing up on a farm he was just used to it. He had dragged his friend Sebastian with him and was actually surprised he got the other come along.

"It is worth it because, you are also paying for the quality of it. When compared to the others, this one is so much redder, and bigger. Plus the amount of time and care that goes into it is a lot." he answered. "Why don't you have a bite and see for yourself."

[oceangraces]

Sebastian looked down at the tomato in his hand as though it had personally offended him. Then back at Henric. "You realize you're talking about this thing like it's a vintage Ferrari." He held it up between them. "Look at the color, Sebastian. The craftsmanship. The engineering." He mimicked his friend's voice as best as he could, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

At Henric's suggestion, he raised an eyebrow. "You want me to eat it... like an apple?" There was genuine skepticism in his voice. "You countryside people are fascinating." With exaggerated sigh, Sebastian took a bite. He chewed once. Twice. Three times. Juice rolled down his chin. Sebastian swallowed, then clicked his tongue thoughtfully. "It's sweeter. And somehow tastes… like an actual tomato. So, no... I don't agree with the price."

[ofwildxhearts]

Fate could be funny at times and well Rachel wasn't sure if she actually believed in fate or not. But there were times like that that she did. "Then clearly it wasn't a mistake." The blonde stated, looking over at him for a moment. Maybe this was how things were suppose to be. That they would always end up right back here with each other but not really with one another.

There was a small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. Watching him for a moment. That was all she was really doing. Just watching him. Even after he looked over at her. "You are not the only one that has had those thoughts." Which was true. Finally she tore her eyes away from him. Placing her drink down, that was when she reached for his hand and tugged him outside. Taking in the fresh air. Despite it being somewhat chilly out. She needed away from the crowd and needed some time alone with him. "Neither of us was actually very convincing. You've always been there in the back of my mind or came up in some of my thoughts even without trying.." She admitted softly.

[oceangraces]

Nestore let her take his hand. There was a moment—a brief, instinctive hesitation born more from surprise than reluctance—but it disappeared almost as quickly as it had arrived.

Her confession settled somewhere deeper than he expected. His thumb shifted almost unconsciously against the back of her hand—a movement so slight it could've been mistaken for coincidence. Action meant to soothe her nerves. Or maybe it was meant to soothe his own. He wasn't sure. The corner of his mouth lifted, though there was sadness woven into it. Vulnerability, which he didn't usually allow himself to show but Rachel had been one of the few he'd allowed to see. "I think…" His gaze drifted briefly to the harbor lights reflecting across the water before settling on her once more. "…we've spent years wondering what would've happened if I'd stayed. And I don't think either of us can answer that anymore." His eyes fell once more to the hand she still held. "But we're here now." He couldn't promise her there wouldn't come a time when he'd disappear from her life again, but for now at least Nestore was determined to try and stay.

[ofwildxhearts]

Tristan nodded his head a little bit. "I think you might be right about that one. Especially between my brother and your cousin. I swear they should just kiss and make up already." The last sentence was meant as a joke and hopefully she got that. Lifting his coffee to his lips, he took a small sip. "Somehow even if it was squashed, I'm sure there will be something else for them to fight about." Sometimes it did seem like high school never did end not even as adults. It caused a lot of problems. The decades of the families hating one another. "I get that and I feel like our families can't just seem to forgive each other no matter how hard we want it to end because this town is big enough for all of our families."

Hearing her question, Tristan took another sip of his coffee before setting it down. Looking over at her once again. "Hypothetically speaking..I would suggest setting up a Miller and Sanders on a blind date or maybe getting the heads of our families to sit down and actually speak with one another. I'm guessing yours would either be your cousins mother, your aunt or your own mother. Mine would probably be my father or my uncle."

[oceangraces]

Grace laughed before she could stop herself. "Oh, now that would certainly get people talking." She shook her head, still smiling. "But if there was anything we could learn from Romeo and Juliet, it's that love doesn't seem to be enough to reconcile two rivalrous families."

The joke lingered between them for a moment before her smile softened. "But..." she admitted, wrapping both hands around her mug again, "I like that your first instinct is to bring people together instead of pulling them further apart." Her fingers traced the rim of her cup absentmindedly. "I think we need more conversations like this one. The kind where people stop worrying about being right long enough to remember they're talking to another human being." Yet every Sanders and every Miller seemed to carry their own piece of the long-forgotten feud their families had back in the day and reshaped some kind of personal element attached to it.

Grace looked back at him, a smile returned. "I mean... Look at us." She leaned forward slightly across the table. "A Miller and a Sanders have now managed to sit through an entire coffee without anyone getting arrested, disowned, or throwing a punch. I'd call that progress."

[ofwildxhearts]

The Bar seemed to be karaoke contests every week it seemed. Did Trevor ever sing? Nope, he never did. But that didn't mean he didn't have fun watching other people sing, it was always fun to watch. Of course his friends would drag him out or his brother just to see if he could break one day.

Hearing her voice, Trevor couldn't help but smile. Even in this crowded room. Somehow she had managed to find him. Honestly he looked for her also. There something about her that made him not only find comfort but also a sense of peace that he hadn't felt in a very long time. "I wasn't planning to but after that compliment I might just give it a shot." He teased lightly. "But only if you get up there with me."

[oceangraces]

"So your confidence is entirely conditional." Bree let out a quiet laugh, lowering her glass just enough to look at him properly. "I have to admit, I expected more bravery from you." She pretended to consider his words for a moment, her expression thoughtful in a way that was almost convincing.

There was something unfair about the way he smiled. She'd noticed it weeks ago and, against her better judgment, continued to notice it every time he did. It had become... distracting. In the current moment also disarming. Her gaze lingered on him for a beat longer than necessary before she tilted her head. "Tell me, is this a genuine invitation..." The corner of her mouth lifted. "Or are you relying on the assumption that I'll say no?"

She stepped a fraction closer without quite realizing she'd done it, the noise of the bar shrinking to a comfortable hum around them. "Because if I agreed," she began carefully, emphasizing the word with a playful smile, "…would you actually get on that stage?" She leaned in just enough that only he would hear the next part. "Because I'm not worried about embarrassing myself. I'm worried about discovering you're actually good." Her eyes met his, warm with unmistakable amusement. "And I really don't need you becoming any more impressive than you already are."

[thestormsxmelodies]

Daxton could work with flowers and animals all day and night losing track of time. He could not wait for fall because that's when some of his favorite flowers came out. Plus he was already making plans for his garden. Dax had been so very busy the last few months and days, with weddings and events. He knew it would not slow down anytime soon which he did not mind at all because after all it means good money. He had the shop bell and smiled when she saw the other softly. A laugh escaped from his lips.

"You are correct in did," he smiled, chuckling softly as he spoke. "We provide the best apologies in town," he added, adding to the joke. "They do, flowers can handle just about everything with grace. Which is why I guess they are my favorite."

[oceangraces]

Bree's smile lingered, as his laughter filled the little shop. The kind of laugh that made a place feel lived in rather than merely occupied. It suited the space. It suited the man, too.

She found herself glancing around again, taking in the arrangements with renewed appreciation. Every bouquet was different, yet somehow unmistakably belonged here. "I imagine they also receive credit for things they had very little to do with," she replied, her tone touched with dry amusement. "It's a rather unfair burden for something that spends its entire existence simply trying to bloom."

Stepping closer to one of the worktables, Bree paused over an arrangement that hadn't yet been finished. Her fingertips hovered just above a stem before she thought better of touching it. "I always find it fascinating," she admitted, "that florists don't simply sell flowers." Her eyes lifted to meet his. "You sell moments."

"So tell me…" Her expression changed as if suddenly she had remembered the reason she'd walked into the shop. "When someone walks through that door asking for 'something nice', how long does it usually take before you figure out what they actually need?"

[ofwildxhearts]

When Grace hooked their arms again and then leaned into her side, she kissed her head gently before starting to walk next to her again. Listening to her, she gave her a small smile. "Well I am glad to hear that. That school is good and the turtles are good." Looking over at her daughter as they walked towards The Waterfront. "No, you do not sound crazy, you've never been crazy baby girl. Trust me if anyone is crazy between us, it's your momma." Grace would do anything for her daughter, there was no question about that. Shrugging a little bit now. "Well it seemed to work almost all of the time." The older woman pointed out. Once they reached the doors, she opened it for her. "Come on, let's get some food into ya."

[oceangraces]

Grace smiled as Dakota kissed the top of her head, the familiar gesture settling something inside her the way it always had. No matter how old she got, there were moments when being around her mother made the world feel a little less complicated.

"You've definitely set a high bar for crazy," she teased, nudging her gently with her shoulder. "I'd have to work pretty hard to catch up." She followed her through the restaurant doors, the warmth and familiar hum of conversation immediately replacing the evening breeze outside. The hostess greeted them by name—another reminder that in Turtle Bay, anonymity was a luxury no one really had. Certainly not when you were a Sanders.

As they slid into their booth, Grace reached across the table, absentmindedly stealing one of the bread rolls the waiter had just set down. "So," she said, tearing off a piece with a grin, "you promised I get to choose dinner. But how about dessert?"

[ofwildxhearts]

Listening to her, he nodded his head a little bit. "Yeah, well I'm not exactly use to this small town living either." Which was true. He wasn't. "What made you want to move here or are you originally from here?" Curiosity was peeked now, Javier wanted to know more about her.

There was something about her. The way she spoke, the way that she stood there with him. Like she knew how to get the attention that she needed and wanted. Not to mention the authority. The confidence that she had certainly showed. She also seemed like she was someone who knew what was doing and getting herself into.

A small laugh escaped his lips. "Well you are certainly right about that one, ma." This for him wasn't exactly something that he would be doing for himself, it must have shown or something. "My son actually. He is with his mother right now on one of the rides. We might be divorced but we are pretty good at co-parenting. They are actually the reason why we are in this small town."

[oceangraces]

Bree's expression softened almost imperceptibly at the mention of his son. It wasn't the revelation itself that caught her attention—it was the order in which he'd chosen to tell the story. Or the fact that it was something she didn't expect to hear.

"No," she answered after a moment, the faintest smile returning. "I'm very much an outsider." Despite being born in Turtle Bay, Bree could never find the connection with the small coastal town like others did. "I grew up where people introduced themselves by asking what your parents did for a living." A quiet breath of amusement escaped her. "A world where people knew one another because it was professionally advantageous." Her eyes found his again. "It makes a town like this feel… almost disarming."

She let the thought settle before returning to what he'd said. "So your son brought you here." The corner of her mouth lifted gently. "Children have an inconvenient way of rearranging our priorities. I've always found that interesting."

[ofwildxhearts]

"Yeah, my parents are thinking about retiring soon. So one of us has to keep Fiesta En Familia going." The restaurant has always been in their family so she wasn't about to let someone else take it. "What can I say? I've always been ambitious as you know." She shrugged a little bit. A small smile on her lips now. "Well I appreciate it, I really do." It was a lot of hard but she loved it. She really did.

Listening to her, the brunette nodded her head a little bit. "Makes sense. There were times that Connor and I thought we wouldn't make it.." She told her softly, she knew that it wasn't the same thing though. "And what about now? Is life still too heavy for you both or are you guys dancing around things?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. Of course she wanted to know the answer. Daisy was her friend and she was interested in the other woman's life and how she was handling everything. Plus if there was anything that Gabriella could do, she would make it happen.

Feeling the bump, she bumped her back as they walked. "Well it's the family's business. I don't know if Liliana or Valeria would want it and if they do, I'll totally let them have it. But in a way I'm hoping that I can run it. That would mean cutting back on some hours at Whispers."

[oceangraces]

"Ambitious?" Daisy smiled to herself, unsurprised in the slightest. "I've known that since high school." She'd always admired Gabriella for the way she chased the life she wanted instead of waiting for permission to have it. Every new venture, every long night, every risk she'd taken had been another brick laid by her own hands. Daisy's own life had been built differently, around family before anything else. Not that she would change anything, if she could.

"I think you'd be incredible running Fiesta En Familia." There was no doubt it'd be just as successful venture as any other before it have been. Gabriella got the business sense for it, but this was also personal. A legacy, if Daisy could call it so.

As they continued down the boardwalk, Gabriella's next question settled between them and Daisy let out a quiet breath through her nose. Small, almost embarrassed smile finding her lips. "For a while I think that's exactly what we were doing. But lately..." She paused, searching for words that felt honest. Her fingers absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced over at Gabriella, a faint flush warming her cheeks. "I don't know what we're doing."

[ofwildxhearts]

Proud. That was just one word to sum out how Victoria felt about her children besides unconditional love and acceptances. It was true, she saw herself a lot within her children mixed in with people they had became. "That he does. I like to think he got those from me." One thing that would never change was in fact this place. Yeah, Henry added to the menu and created his own stuff. But the vibe and everything else stayed the same and she was thankful for that. But was she was proud of Henry for finding his own way within the restaurant.

There had been too much familiarity and the history alone with Orion was too much at times. Feeling the hand squeeze, she returned it gently. "I tried my best not unless you are talking about Jackson, he was pretty good example." At least Jackson had stayed and not bailed on Daisy and their kids. "You got it." Now there was a small chuckle that left her lips. "Your favorite is still on the menu." She pointed out, going over to the kitchen and putting in the order. Returning to Daisy a moment later. "Can I ask you somethin' might be kinda of personal."

[oceangraces]

Daisy watched Victoria disappear into the kitchen before letting her gaze wander around the diner. Not because she looked for something she may have missed the first time. But simply out of habit. By the time Victoria returned, Daisy was already smiling. "You know," she said, "I think that's why this place still works. It grows without trying to be something it's not." It was the same diner she remembered from her early adulthood yet now it was keeping up with trends and attracting the next generations of Turtle Bay.

When Victoria hesitated, Daisy immediately caught it. "You can ask me anything." She met her eyes and smiled reassuringly. There wasn't even a flicker of hesitation in her. Not after everything they'd been through together. "I can't promise you'll like the answer," she added, folding her hands together on the counter and leaning in just a little, "but I do promise it'll be an honest one." A moment passed, neither ready to break the silence before Daisy gave in. "What is it?"

[ofwildxhearts]

Xavier's gaze lingered on her as well. Not wanting to move his gaze at all especially right now. "Good I'm glad that you don't think it's a bad thing because it isn't." His words were gentle and soft as he continued to look at her for a moment longer. All throughout his life, she'd been there somehow. Even cheering him on in football games, and he didn't even realize until this moment that something was different between them. Even back then. It was hard for him to explain now and he wasn't about to try. All he knew was that he liked how he was feeling towards her.

"So it would seem." Listening to her options, he thought about it for a moment. "Hmm..here is another counteroffer. If tonight goes well which I'm hoping it does. We do one of the places tonight and then the other next time?" He questioned, with a small smile on his lips. "But tonight I'm totally voting the seafood place especially if you are in the mood for it." He would honestly do whatever she wanted.

[oceangraces]

Grace couldn't help the smile that found her lips. For as long as she could remember, Xavier had simply been... Xavier. Another familiar face at Founders events, football games under Friday night lights, summer festivals, family cookouts where everyone somehow ended up at the same tables year after year. He'd always existed in the background of her life, steady and familiar. She found it funny how someone could be standing in the same place for years, and somehow look entirely different all at once.

She caught herself watching him before letting out a quiet laugh. "You drive a hard bargain." The corner of her mouth curled upward as she folded her arms loosely across her chest. "It sounds like you're already planning a second dinner before we've even had the first." It didn't sound like he expected a second date, though. It sounded like he hoped for one. And somehow, that made her heart feel a little lighter. "I think I can live with that deal." She pointed a finger toward him, mock-serious. "But I'm holding you to the 'next time.'"

[ruiinedheiirs]

maria fernanda let out a sharp , humorless laugh , swirling the champagne in her glass as if she was trying to drown the entire conversation in it . ❛ nestore , please . do you honestly think i haven't told them ? ❜ her gaze lifted , dark eyes flashing with the kind of fury that had been bred into her long before turtle bay ever knew her name . ❛ i have told them . i've screamed it , threatened it , made it painfully clear in every language i know . but santiago hears “ i am suffocating ” &. thinks i need more security . pedro hears it &. decides i need someone following me . ❜ she leaned back , a bitter smile touching her lips . ❛ i'm a jaramillo . i was raised around men who think control is the same thing as love . ❜

her fingers tightened around the stem of her glass , though her expression remained perfectly composed . ❛ &. i'm not some helpless little girl they need to keep locked behind their walls . ❜ she tilted her head , a dangerous sweetness settling over her features . ❛ i've survived things that would make both of them lose sleep , &. somehow they still look at me like i'm the fragile one . ❜ a quiet scoff escaped her as she looked toward the windows . ❛ so yes , maybe i haven't burned the cage down yet . ❜ her gaze returned to nestore , sharp &. unapologetic. ❛ but don't confuse my patience with permission . ❜

[oceangraces]

He let the silence settle where it belonged instead of rushing to fill it. The only sound between them was the quiet clink of glass against crystal as he set his own drink down on the table. A slow breath escaped him before he finally spoke. "I've met men like your brother." Nestore knew neither well enough to make assumptions, but he always thought one seemed more reasonable than the other—and it wasn't the one most people would suspect. "They wake up every morning convinced the worst thing that could happen is losing the people they love." He let the irony exist without pointing to it.

There was a reason for Nestore to avoid people like The Jaramillos. With small exceptions. A faint smile appeared. For a moment he simply looked at her. Not the Jaramillo name. Not the woman everyone else insisted on protecting. Just Maria. He stood then—not abruptly, just enough to cross toward the open French doors overlooking the estate. "When was the last time you asked yourself where you'd go if they stopped trying to stop you?" He looked back over his shoulder.

[ruiinedheiirs]

santiago watched bree approach without moving from his place , the untouched whiskey resting beside him as his gaze followed her with quiet interest . ❝ it wasn't a welcome . ❞ he corrected calmly , the faintest hint of amusement touching his expression . ❝ it was an observation . there's a difference . ❞

he glanced briefly toward the town below before returning his attention to her , composed in the way of a man who was used to being the one others measured themselves against . ❝ you sound very confident for someone who has only just walked into my evening . ❞

santiago finally reached for his glass , though he didn't drink , the motion almost absentminded . ❝ but i'll admit . . . you've made a better attempt than most . ❞

his eyes settled on hers , sharp ------- unreadable , a quiet challenge sitting beneath the calm of his voice . ❝ so , bree . tell me . are you actually here to keep me entertained , or are you simply curious how long it takes before i start asking questions ? ❞

[oceangraces]

Bree had long since learned that some people used silence as a weapon. The corner of her mouth curved ever so slightly. "Confident?" She considered the word for a moment before giving a small shake of her head. "I'd say comfortable."

"I've spent enough years walking into rooms where no one particularly wanted me there." Her shoulders lifted in an almost imperceptible shrug. "You stop mistaking unfamiliarity for hostility after a while." Though, she hadn't decided which one Santiago offered.

At his question, she smiled properly this time. The kind of smile that reached her eyes just enough to soften them. "Neither." The answer came without hesitation. "I'm here because you interest me." She didn't mean it as flirtation. It wasn't admiration, either. It was the simple, undeniable truth. Bree had spent most of her life reading people the way others read headlines—watching the spaces between words, the habits they didn't realize they had, the contradictions they carried without noticing. Most revealed themselves within minutes. Santiago hadn't.

[ruiinedheiirs]

pedro pablo's grin widened as he glanced over at grace , his eyes briefly dropping to the careful space she'd left between them before returning to her face . ❝ contemplative ? ❞ he repeated , a quiet laugh escaping him . ❝ that's a very generous word for what was happening here . ❞ he lifted the bottle slightly , taking an unhurried sip before looking back out over the water . ❝ questionable decisions , on the other hand , have always been a little more my style . ❞

he shifted against the hood of the car , turning just enough to face her properly , the marina lights catching the easy charm in his expression . ❝ as for how questionable we're talking . . . ❞ he let the words linger , his smile turning slow &. almost wicked . ❝ let's just say i've made a career out of taking situations that should've ended badly &. making them work in my favor . usually . ❞ there was something deliberately vague about the way he said it , like he knew exactly how much he was willing to let her wonder .

at her last words , pedro pablo laughed softly , shaking his head as his gaze traveled over her with shameless amusement . ❝ responsible decisions ? ❞ he echoed , pushing away from the hood just enough to lean closer. ❝ grace , you should really be careful saying things like that around me . ❞ his smile turned effortlessly charming , the kind that had gotten him out of trouble more times than he could count . ❝ i have a terrible habit of convincing people to prove themselves wrong . i promise . . . i'm very good at getting what i want . ❞

[oceangraces]

"'Usually' isn't exactly the word people hope to hear." Grace let out a quiet laugh, folding her arms loosely as she leaned back against the front fender. His step closer didn't send her retreating. If anything, she found herself holding his gaze a little longer, studying him with the same quiet curiosity she gave the shoreline whenever something unexpected washed ashore. "You've got an answer for everything, don't you?" She tilted her head to one side, not sure if she actually wanted to hear the answer to that question when she already knew what it would be. At least when it came to his ego, Pedro Pablo seemed to be predictable.

Hearing him claim he was good at getting what he wanted, Grace's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Oh? And does that line usually work?" The challenge lingered between them for a moment before she pushed herself away from the car. "You've spent the last five minutes telling me you're a bad influence. So... How about you tell me what brought you out here with half a bottle and nowhere else to be?"

[ruiinedheiirs]

tatiana's smile only widened at his immediate attempt to defend himself , her eyes drifting over the endless rows of lavender before returning to him . ❛ oh , sebastian . . . you're adorable when you start negotiating with reality . ❜ she stepped a little closer , clearly enjoying herself far too much . ❛ you can call it objective reality , an unfortunate coincidence , or a temporary lapse in judgment , but you are standing in a lavender field because i brought you here &. admitting that you like it . ❜ her brow lifted , amusement sparkling in her eyes . ❛ i would say i'm surprised , but i have a feeling you'd accuse me of gloating . ❜

she folded her arms , studying him with a smug little smile that made it painfully obvious she was enjoying every second of this . ❛ &. for the record , i never said i don't enjoy being right . i said i don't enjoy having to prove it repeatedly . ❜ she tilted her head , looking entirely too pleased with herself . ❛ unfortunately , you make that incredibly easy . so go ahead , keep calling it objective reality . . . i'll happily stand here &. let you pretend this isn't you admitting i was right . again . ❜

[oceangraces]

"Adorable?" Sebastian stared at her for a long moment. A slow shake of his head followed. "I've been called arrogant, reckless, insufferable, emotionally unavailable..." He ticked each one off on his fingers. "One journalist called me a 'walking PR nightmare with excellent hair.'" His brows lifted. "But adorable?" He looked out across the lavender fields as though searching for answers in the horizon. "That's the one that might actually ruin my career."

Sebastian looked back at her, finding that smug little smile still firmly in place. He took a few slow steps closer until only a comfortable distance remained between them, folding his arms in a mirror of her own posture. "You know what your problem is?" His voice had dropped into that familiar teasing drawl. "You confuse correlation with causation. I didn't enjoy the vineyard because you took me there. I enjoyed the wine."

Silence settled comfortably between them for a moment, broken only by the breeze stirring the lavender. "So… Since we're keeping score," he nodded toward the field around them. "You get one point for the lavender. Now will you tell me what exactly we're doing here?"