Rosie's had become a bit of a home away from home for Noah over the last six months. When he first got to Sedona, he hadn't known a soul outside of Sara. The diner had been one of the few places always open after long shifts doing odd jobs, and somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like just another place to eat and started feeling familiar. "I can deal with rude," Noah laughed. "Rude's actually not a dealbreaker for me. I'd probably still leave a good tip." At the mention of the sleepover, he couldn't help but smile to himself, "Yeah, they were pretty excited." There was a tiny hint of mock offense in his voice. Truthfully, he couldn't blame them — they were getting older, making friends, doing all the things kids were supposed to do. It made him happy, even if it meant he occasionally got bumped down on the list.
Then Delilah mentioned she'd keep him company; something about that made Noah's chest feel unexpectedly warm. He'd spent so much of the last eight years feeling like an outsider that simple things — like someone choosing to sit with him, asking about his day, remembering his order — still meant more than they probably should. "I appreciate that," And he meant it. When she joked about the kids only liking her because of the sugar, Noah shook his head, "I don't think that's it." The answer came almost too quickly, "I think they like you because..." He searched for the right words. "You're just... easy to be around," He laughed softly at himself. "Kind. Funny. You remember the little things. You make people feel like they've been coming here forever, even if they've only been here a few months," He realized he was talking about more than just Jamie and Jack. Thankfully, her mention of the meatloaf gave him an easy escape, "Oh, now you're speaking my language." His face brightened almost immediately. "My mom used to make meatloaf all the time when we were kids. My favorite part wasn't even dinner — it was the leftovers. She'd make these sandwiches the next day with thick slices of meatloaf, white bread, and a little mashed potato. Looking back, it sounds ridiculous..." He smiled across the table, "Your granny's recipe wouldn't happen to be a secret, would it?"
she loved the fact people felt at home in the diner, just like she did. sure, delilah was biased; after all, it was the family business, but she truly hoped this feeling would pass down through generations to come. "i don't know if i can, not all the time." the blonde admitted, some days were harder than others, and it wasn't like the customer was.. always right.. though, smiling always helped. "well, good thing that i don't accept tips." the other waitresses did, but delilah felt uncomfortable accepting them, all things considering. she could still remember the silly sleepovers she'd have with her sister, and honestly, those were always memories delilah looked back on fondly. "can't blame them. sometimes i wish i was nine, just to experience that again. late nights drinking beer with pizza doesn't quite hit the same." she responded, and just laughed, shaking her head a little. kids always wanted to grow up fast, and adults just wished to be kids again.. what a sad irony.
she smiled again, glad that he welcomed her company. "are you sure it's just that? i think the cookies always play a role.. which is okay, sugar goes through anyone's heart, not matter the age." but then noah continued, and the more he talked, the more delilah's cheeks turned into a pale red color. "well, you have been coming here forever. kinda." she joked, twirling her rings around her finger. truth was, it never crossed her mind that anyone would even pay attention; after all, delilah alway treated them the same way. perhaps she did offer a few more free cookies on the side, but again, it wasn't a big deal.. was it? "excuse me, sandwiches with meatloaf pieces sounds freaking great. i'll try that. in fact, i might do that tonight." that was a new idea, and a great one in that. sometimes, it was difficult to avoid things from the menu and being exhausted after a long night, all delilah wanted to do was eat something quickly and just sleep. "it kind of is... but don't worry, before you'll leave, i'll give you a portion. if you like it, then you can come back for more. how does that sound?"
Location: Red Ridge Elementary
Starter for: @sylmere
She parked at her usual spot, and a shiver went down her spine. It's gonna be empty, she reminded herself. No one to be inconvenient. Kam quickly glanced at the four boxes that sat carefully in the back seat of her car, and then at Delilah, in the passenger seat. "Seriously, you're a godsend for coming to help me. It seems like a lot, but I promise they're not tht heavy. I just couldn't decide on a theme so, naturally, I'll try them all." The laugh that came was genuine and a bit ironic. For anyone that knew Kamaria, even a little, knew that this situation showed exactly the type of person she was. "I don't know where time went, it felt like yesterday was the last time I did all this. Thankfully I had a lot of extra decorations."
delilah smiled, her head turning slightly to check on the boxes at the back of the car, "don't be silly, i'm happy to help. besides, this is much more fun than actually going to a gym."she half-joked, though it wasn't far from the truth. running on a treadmill for a few minutes wasn't the same as actually breathing the fresh air when going for a jog.. and who needs weights when lifting boxes at the diner was a daily occurrence? "i may be small but i'm mighty. just get the door, and we'll make it work. do you have any favourite decorations, or are you going to decide on the spot?"
"Thanks—and no rush," Noah smiled warmly, "The kiddos aren't here to test everyone's patience today, and I've got nowhere else I need to be." Truthfully, he was perfectly content staying right where he was. Work was over, Jamie and Jack were off at a sleepover, Sara was out with friends for the evening, and for the first time all week, the day didn't seem to be asking anything else of him. It was nice. Quiet. Even nicer that it happened to involve Delilah. At the mention of her third milkshake, his eyebrows lifted, "Third?" he repeated with an amused laugh. "That's actually kind of impressive." Then he thought about it for another second and shrugged. "Although... if I worked here, I think I'd be in the exact same boat. I'd be telling myself, 'Just one,' and then three hours later I'd somehow be on milkshake number four, wondering where my self-control went." He smiled a little sheepishly.
"As for the kids, they're at a sleepover this weekend," Noah shook his head with a chuckle, "Guess they're too cool to spend a weekend with Uncle Noah now." He leaned forward onto the counter, resting an elbow against it, "But don't worry. I'll let them know you've officially put in a request for more artwork. Though I should warn you, they're already pretty fond of you." Noah couldn't help the warmth that settled in his chest at the thought. Jamie and Jack always seemed excited whenever Rosie's was mentioned, and truthfully, he understood why. He tilted his head and let his smile soften, "Honestly... I can't even blame them." After all, he was pretty smitten with her, too. "So… what do you eat when you're not convincing everyone else to order pie and milkshakes?"
"please, they never test my patience." delilah said softly, meaning each and every word. maybe she was biased, and she just liked kids too much, but she also had the fondest memories of this place as a child — and maybe she wanted to pass that down to the next generation. besides, they were adorable. always showing her what they drew, telling them about their school day, their giggles and silliness filled the small diner. she never understood why people weren't patient enough with kids anymore, it was like the world was missing out on the innocence they still carried. she moved towards the counter, just to ring in his order, before returning with the warmest smile on her lips and the milkshake, neatly placing it in front of him ( with all the extra chocolate chips and springles.) "it's not impressive, it's sad." she exclaimed, laughing lightly. "the thing is, if I actually eat anything more than fries, then I just feel like I need to nap.." she explained, making a face. "and having your waitress napping behind the counter when you need a refill is just.. kinda rude." the blonde joked, shaking her head. "self control? yeah, no i've already lost that battle long ago."
her smile grew, "a sleepover? that's exciting." delilah added, only to laugh again. "i'm sure that's not it. but if you could choose between coming here, and unlimited ice cream and cartoons, i'm sure you would have chosen to have a sleepover." who wouldn't? god knows she could have used waking up late in the morning on a weekend. "besides, you're still cook uncle noah. here, i'll keep you company till your food's done." she grinned, sliding into the seat across him, "now, i won't pull your ear or color for you, i'm on the clock." delilah joked, resting her chin on the palm of her hand. "they're fond of me because of the sugar rush i give them." the extra cookies helped, she liked to think, but if they genunly liked her? that made her happy. "you're all sweet. i'll blame the milkshake." she smiled though, because he always was. at least, more than most people and that meant something. not everyone came in the best moods, and when noah was around, it was always a good day. "oh god.. i think when i do have time for an actual break, i'll always go for a patty melt? but then, i've also got a soft spot for my granny's meatloaf and mashed potatoes.. i may be a little bit biased."
Georgia let out a laugh, rubbing her hands against the side of her jeans as if it would erase the growing ache. "I appreciate the vote of confidence." The blonde teased, "but I think I might have oversold my upper body strength today." She glanced back toward the door where she knew the delivery truck was on the other side. Georgia turned her attention back to Delilah, her smile softening. "I'm glad everything came in alright." There was genuine relief in her voice, even if she knew that the woman would have texted or called if something wasn't right. Part of Georgia wanted to wave off the offer to call James, but she knew to take a beat. "I wouldn't say no to a cold Coke." Her smile continued to linger on her lips, "How's your family?" Georgia asked with genuine interest.
"please, leave it, i'll have someone carry everything in. just take a breath, okay? i'd hate to send you back looking like a proper question mark." delilah half joked, shaking her head a little and making her way into the kitchen to tell one of the staff about the delivery. james, like always was more than happy to help, and as soon as she walked back, he was already on top of everything. "come, take a seat. do you want a slice of lemon with that?" she asked, because ice, with this weather was hard to pass. " i've got you saved under my favourites; if something's missing you can bet i'll text you right away." she exclaimed, already pouring the cold beverage in a clean glass, smiling over at georgia. "everyone's okay. busy. we need some extra hands over here, but you know how it is, it's hard to find someone you can trust. i thought my mom was picky, but my grandmother? god, i love her, but she can be hard to please." delilah made a face, shaking her head. they had to find at least one more waitress, before she was overworked. "i'm the first one to come, and the last to leave. which is fine, but i'd appreciate a break in the middle of the day."
CLOSED STARTER for @sylmere
LOCATION: Rosie's Diner
Having worked many closing shifts throughout her life, there was nothing Summer hated more than being a last minute customer. Not only did it feel disrespectful to the employees' time, but also their productivity. As the clock ticked a second closer to the 20 minute mark, Summer burst through the doors of the diner, her cheeks tinted a bright shade of pink before the words had even exited her mouth.
"I'm so sorry to show up this late, but have you turned the fryers off for the night? I was wondering if there was any way that I could grab an order of fries to go. I just got off work and I'm starved." While she probably should have just gone back to the trailer and scavenged through her sister's snacks like a hungry raccoon, Summer hadn't been able to deny the craving. "I promise I won't take offence if you wanna turn me away. You know I used to work here and believe me, I get it."
they were going to call it a night, and honestly, delilah couldn't wait to grab her vanilla oreo milkshake and head home. tonight called for a bubble bath, with wine and friends playing in the background, and nothing was going to change her plans. or so she thought. she was almost done shorting some of the tables for the morning, when the door opened with the familiar ding catching her attention. turning around to look at the blonde who had just walked in, a small, warm smile formed on her face.
"please don't me you ran all the way here." delilah said softly, shaking her head a little. "pretty sure we've got one on two running still, just in case. you sure you want just some fries? i can have tony throw a few onion rings and nuggets in there.. unless you want mozzarella sticks? for anything larger i'll have to go back there and give him the eyes." the blonde mused, knowing that even their cook wouldn't want summer to spend a hungry night. that alone could give anyone nightmares. "don't worry about it, just take a seat and i'll get everything out for you. would you like something to drink? you know my mom would kick me to the moon if we turned you away. do you think i want to face a petite woman's wrath?"
Daniela knew that her expression brightened immediately upon Delilah's answer. A margarita was oddly specific, but she didn't hate the idea. She tapped the end of her pen against her lip. No two answers were often the same when she asked people for their thoughts. "I like warmth," she jotted it down in the margin. "I like that you've equated it to a feeling because I think it's one too. Everyone says berries or flowers, but it's more of a feeling to me, too." She'd just yet to deduce what that was going to be. "Alright, so if it's reminding you of the first margarita is that because of the citrus? Or is this more about a specific day?" Daniela was genuinely curious to her answer.
daniela's expression put a small smile on her face, "me too." the blonde whispered, not knowing how to put her thoughts into actual words. sometimes, feelings were too complicated to express, and just easier to be felt. "i think everything is a feeling. from the first drink, to that familliar feeling you get when you eat or drink something that just hits home. besides, if you're asking me, not every berry tastes the same." she shrugged her shoulders a little, mentally kicking herself for saying something that probably sounded dumb. "i think it's a combination of that, but also of the expectation. you know, sometimes you think something will taste or feel a certain way, and you're just... surprised of how it really feels or tastes. i think, it's more of the element of surprise for me."
Despite only being in Sedona for six months, Noah had somehow already become a regular at Rosie's Diner. To be fair, it was hard to resist their chocolate milkshakes, and after his first one, he quickly realized it was a dangerous habit to start, but there were worse habits out there. After a particularly long day at the auto shop—a guy rolling in with four flat tires and a woman whose transmission had completely given up on her—Noah was in desperate need of a pick-me-up. His guilty pleasure had always been something sweet, and lately, Rosie's had become his favorite place to unwind.
So, naturally, he found himself walking through the doors again, taking his usual seat at the front of the diner without even needing to look at the menu. At this point, he probably knew his order better than the menu did. And maybe he knew the person taking it pretty well, too. Seeing Delilah always seemed to put a little more ease into his day, even if Noah tried not to make it too obvious. He offered her a familiar smile, leaning back slightly in his chair as he looked up at her. "Oh, hey — hi, Delilah." There was a small pause, like he was considering pretending he had to think about his order before giving up, "Can I get the triple patty burger and a chocolate milkshake?" He said with a small pause, "Please don't judge me. I had a rough day, and apparently my coping mechanism is sugar and grease."
summer had slowed things down a little, and in all honesty, delilah was glad. the diner was usually packed, but they were still looking for extra hands, which meant she had to work longer hours with little rest. she didn't mind it, of course she didn't, after all, the business would pass down to her someday. still, it was nice to know she could also get a moment to enjoy her own drink behind the counter, without having to rush to every table for a refill. being in the business for at least two generations came with some perks, and there were always a few regulars that brighten her day, no matter how tough things got. whether it was an old friend, and old classmate, or people who recently moved in sedona, delilah went by the rule her family had always followed; be kind to them. maybe she was a little bit softer with certain people, giving a few cookies or milkshakes away for free, a few extra fries here and there, but how could she help herself?
she was sorting the clean cutlery behind the counter, when the small bell above the door went off. instinctively, she glanced up and an instant smile formed on her face when she realised it was noah, who walked in; making his way to the usual table. putting the clutery on the side, she grabbed a menu and slowly made her way towards him, "noah, hi." she said softly, placing the menu in front of him with the kind of ease that came from someone who's done this ever since she could herself. she wasn't surprised he knew exactly what he wanted; she knew his order by heart, though there was always the hope he might want to try something else. "yes - yes of course. i'll get that right away." delilah said with a small nod of her head, "please, who am i to judge? there's nothing like a chocolate milkshake after a long day. i'm already on my third." she exclaimed with a small laugh, "how are the little ones? you should have brought them. i'm in a desperate need of new drawnings."
she gave him too much grace. most days, he didn't mind it. it was only when he wasn't in a good place that it tore at him, her kindness threatening to rip him apart from the inside. she deserved more than what he offered, and yet, there he was, greedy and far too insecure to walk away. he chuckled beneath his breath when she echoed his words and he nodded, confirming that he'd heard her. "alright, alright. you're probably right. best you stay on this side of things. grease fires are no joke and the last thing this town needs is another place going up in flames." the thought of who'd respond made his jaw tense. did he really have any place to feel bitter about the firefighter who'd stepped up for his wife while he was in the presence of a blonde who'd stepped up for him? no, but that didn't stop him from feeling a certain way about it.
"why do you think the ranch is just my folks and george?" they trusted no one to assist with the operation. soon enough though, rhett knew that'd change. george was as good as anyone, but she couldn't do every single task by herself, especially when their parents finally called it quits. "seriously? if i was gonna steal, i'd go for the food. have you seen the price of groceries lately?" he pulled in a sharp breath and rolled his deep blues. a trip to sullivan's cost him a little more each time. the bull rider watched as she tucked stray blondes behind her ear. it made him a grin a little wider in her direction. "no need for all that."
he wondered if she felt it too. the spark that danced within their touch longer after they'd parted ways. if she did, she didn't show it. "effort won't keep that place on it's feet. my old man is stubborn. my mom is too. george knows what she's doin' out there, but it's a lot." he took a beat to pull a swig from his bottle and shook his head. "developers won't leave us alone either. they keep makin' offers for pieces of the property, but we won't give 'em anything. we know that if we give 'em an inch, they'll try and take a goddamn mile." rhett was comforted by the small smile she gave him, but it wasn't enough to warm over the ice in his veins. his family had worked too long and too hard for their legacy to be washed out by another golf course or resort for tourists that would move on after their short stay.
she didn't make him feel bad about his absence, even if she had every right to. he hide his appreciation behind another pull from his bottle and sighed when the quiet sound of it landed at the counter again. he exhaled a breathy laugh, his gaze dropping to the sun kissed spots peppered on the bridge of her nose and cheeks. "i think it looks good on you," he complimented, his boyish grin stretching a little wider. his gaze remained fix on her freckles a little longer, but lifted to meet her eyes when she countered with a question of her own. "hopefully he's better soon. with all those burgers you guys are puttin' out, sounds like you need every helping hand you can get." it was good for business on both sides, but rhett feared there'd be a day when their supply couldn't meet the local demands. "i've been alright. busy, but i can't really complain about it. george has me playin' handy man all over the ranch." it was the one thing he could do and yet, it still left him feeling like hell days later.
life wasn't always black and white, and sometimes, she just wanted him to remember just that. he was still going through whatever he needed to go through, and only time could heal. it didn't mean it would all go away, delilah was still dealing with her own stuff, but it wasn't the end.. and that just mattered. "see? i'm right. again." she emphasized the last word, just to tease him of course. maybe it was one of those days for him, she thought. and if rhett wanted just company to talk, she didn't mind givng him just that.
it was tough, trusting others with something your family built with blood and sweat. everyone thought it was easy, that since her grandmother did all the hard work of establishing the diner, a name for the place meant that they didn't have to do their part now. "you're also there. just saying." del reminded him, with a smile. "right? you'd be surprised what some people go for. it's more about the principle, really. We have enough things to worry about, running out of cleaning supplies shouldn't be one of them." she responded, reaching out to twirl the bracelet around her wrist. grocery prices, was another thing she didn't want to think about, that was enough to give her a headache. his words made her smile again, this time wider. she missed him. missed this side of his.
missed the way she felt around him. she knew what was going to follow, but right now, she didn't want to think about anything else. instead, delilah wanted to just embrace the moment. "you all have to take it a day at a time." she said softly, resting slightly against the counter, "and family is supposed to be there for each other. it's not about what you do more, or less, i'm sure your sister knows that." exhaling deeply, she looked down at her bottle for a moment, fingersprints tracing over the label. "i know. they won't live us alone either. last time, grandma had to chase them out with a broomstick. it was epic. then her blood pressure hit the roof, so not so epic, but yeah, i get it." brigning the beer close to her lips, delilah had a sip, and finally sighed. they were never going to leave them alone, would they?
she liked making him smile, laugh even. it felt like a small victory, especially after a long day. so what if he disappeared again? at least he was smiling. and so did she, this time pushing herself slightly off the counter, just to close some of the distance between them, but staying away enough to not give anyone walking by the wrong impression. "yeah?" delilah muttered, smiling brightly. "you can't even see them from there, you liar." she teased, glancing at him for a moment too long, before she finally nodded her head. "yeah, we're planning to put out an ad soon. fingers crossed we get someone good." and trustworthy. "yeah? that's good. i'm sure there's a lot that needs fixing, the ranch is huge." she added, "but take it easy, okay?"
"first time for everything." he could see it on her, the exhaustion in the way her shoulders dipped and how she hadn't put him in his place for swinging by after the diner was closed for the evening. the nickname stirred something within him. there was a time he'd been just that, a cool cowboy, but he'd left that back in wyoming, the sound of it off her tongue was easier to take. she made everything sound a little bit sweeter. "lucky me." he offered a small, crooked smile and watched as she went for her bag. part of him felt guilty for showing up so late, but those were the rules. "i mean, yeah. sorta thought so," he teased beneath a boyish chuckle. another sound of amusement left his mouth and his head dipped, stray pieces of his unruly hair falling into his face. when his gaze lifted again, he ran a lazy hand through dark locks to push them back. "then i guess we'll make do with what we've got."
rhett chewed at the side of his bottom lip. "guess that means you're still runnin' this place short staffed?" he knew what that was like, just from a different side of things. "i think we both know i was sharin' either way." he watched as she went for the beers and he made a note to leave a twenty, a bill that'd cover their drinks and then some. maybe he pushed his limits with her, but this was her mother's business.
the retired bull rider exhaled a laugh at the compliment. he thanked her quietly when she handed him a beer, his fingers brushing hers during the exchange. the warmth of her touch was familiar, and he lingered just a few extra seconds during the exchange like the greedy man he was. "i don't know about that. between my parents not bein' ready to let go, and george, i don't do much." he fixed things here and there, but it was a long stretch from all the work his family put into the ranch. he hid the color blossoming on his face behind the bottle as he turned it back, taking a long pull from the beer before bringing the bottle down to rest atop the counter gently. "del, i'm sorry. for uh, for not comin' around." in truth, he'd been busy helping out at the ranch, but there was more to it than not. more to his absence than busy hands. "you been doin' alright? y'know, other than this. place keepin' you busy?"
"first time for everything." she repeated in agreement, nodding her head a little. she didn't mind, not one bit, despite the exhaustion and long day, it was always good to see him. so what if the thought of texting him had crossed her mind more than once? after he stopped responding, delilah understood that wasn't going to change unless he had the time. she wasn't one to push; nothing good came out of that. instead, she smiled, and this time it reached the corners of her eyes. "please, i'm good at serving the food, not making it. i've already tripped twice this morning, do you really think they're going to let me be unsupervised back there?" she joked, though that wasn't far from the truth. spending all day watching everything being cooked, didn't mean she could actually make it. a milkshake, of course, was a different story, but food? she'd have to pass, for everyone's sake.
his eyes looked darker tonight. maybe it was the lack of lighting, or something in his mind. whatever it was, delilah wanted him to feel better. cold beer, or just a chat, whatever it took. "it's hard to find staff you can trust." she admitted, "one moment you think you'd good, the next you find out someone's stealing your cleaning supplies. i'd undestand beers or something edible, but degreasers?" she made a face, and reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. it's okay, she thought. she didn't mind doing double shifts, after all, it was the family business. "you better, otherwise i'd have to pout."
it was supposed to be a simple exchange, give him a cold bottle of beer to cheer up.. and yet, all it took was his warm touch to send shivers down her spine. how long had it been? she should have been more selfish. text him, tell him to come to her. admit she missed him, but what for? it was only a matter of time till he'd disappear again. exhaling deeply, the blonde shook her head softly, bringing the bottle close to her lips to have a quick sip. "stop that. you should give yourself more credit. it's not about how much you do, it's about the fact you do what you can. it's all about the effort you put into everything, and your family knows that." he did what he could, and there was no way his family would hold that against him. keeping a ranch was hard word, and everyone played a part in that. half smiling, delilah nodded her head again.
"i know. it's okay." she told him, and meant every word. she was used to it - at least he was sincere about it. "nothing much, if i'm being honest. i went at the beach on sunday, nearly escaped a sunburn after falling asleep for a few minutes. now my freckles won't go away." she complained, tapping on her nose, "but i've been mostly busy with the diner. nina's son got sick, so i covered her shift as well." she explained, and hoped that the little boy would get better sooner, rather than later. "and you? how have you been?"
The local cafe was one of her favorite places to sit and think. She never minded the buzz of quiet conversation mixed in with the hissing of steaming milk. She sat by one of the windows with a notebook in front of her. Anyone that looked over her shoulder might have assumed that she was writing, journaling perhaps but Daniela had a list of ingredients and there were combinations that were crossed out. Those were a definite no in her book. She had drawn a small sketch near the bottom of the page for what she envisioned the dessert might look like. Daniela frowned at the page for a second before looking up. It's when she made eye contact with someone else, "I have a question," the brunette spoke up, tapping her pen a few times against the notebook, "if I told you a dessert tasted like spring, what would you expect?"
thank goodsness her shift didn't start till later that day, because delilah wanted to have some time to enjoy her coffee, and read a book in peace far away from the familiar clinking of plates, and loud voices of people asking for a refill. this was going to be an hour to herself, do something she enjoys and most importantly, relax, before she had to go back to the diner and be on her feet all day. the aroma of freshly brewed coffee always made her feel better. holding a book, she checked the coffee options on the menu, wondering if she should go for her normal order, or try something new; and just then, she made eye contact with the brunette. "mm?" she muttered, smiling kindly. "well... i think i wouldn't expect anything less. it has to be fruity and make you feel warm inside. you know, like when you turn twenty-one and have your first margarita. that type of feeling."
the cowboy's smirk deepened as his eyes tracked to the sound of her footfalls. "maybe for everyone else," he called back confidently, the anticipation of the quip she'd return back stirring low in his belly. "sorry. one too many falls, i guess. it's hard for me sometimes." despite the joke, there was an element of truth to it. just had nothing to do with his memory, even if he'd use those hard hits onto the compacted dirt as an excuse whenever he could. "can't you just make extra?" he thought that was the perk of being the owner's daughter, that she could make whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. still, they both knew that he wouldn't put up a fight for the fries, even if he liked them as much as she did.
rhett toyed with his bottom lip for a bit and nodded. so, maybe he'd used the business approach as an excuse, but truth was, that was george's job. not his. "guess all that development has it's perks." he watched her, his gaze assessing before he shifted his focus toward the bags she'd pointed out. he pointed toward the one on the left and then looked back at her, wondering if he'd picked wisely.
when she called him on the very thing he'd been avoiding, rhett chuckled and rolled his deep blues like she'd made the most ridiculous claim in the world. "what? can't be a businessman these days?" he wasn't. they both knew that. between his time on the road and the aftermath of his injury, he wasn't in any place to be at the head of the whitaker operation. "you want me to say it, don't you?" he dared to meet her eyes. "that i wanted to see you?"
"don't worry about it. i'm in a good mood tonight." she responded, waving her hand off. a part of her was glad she could finally go home, and another part was just happy he decided to come around. even if it was all... business. "well, yeah. you get a pass, cool cowboy." delilah mumbled to him, reaching for her bag behind the counter to pull out a set of keys, then glanced up at him with a hint of terror in her face that appeared as fast as it vanished. "make extra? who do you think i am, gordon ramsay?" she asked, letting out a laugh. "tony spent two hours cleaning the kitchen after we closed, it's cute you think i'll go in there and put my life on the line." maybe she was exaggerating (just a little) , but she knew better than that. besides, she didn't want to smell like oil and grease; she'd rather have a bubble bath instead. maybe throw a bath bomb in there, get some candles. have a fancy moment to herself.
"say that to my poor feet. i haven't had a moment to sit today, i'm exhausted." grabbing a small pen and notepad from the registry, delilah quickly scribbled down a note for the morning about two beers and watched as he pointed to the left bag. "well, i'll be damned. you're sharing the fries." the blonde murmured, already making her way to the fridge to grab two cold beers.
she smiled, softly at first, and genuinely happy he decided to stop by without having to text. sometimes, she wondered if he was busy, or just.. all over the place. whatever it was, he was here now. "you can. and you're a good one, all i'm saying is that it's well past business hours." delilah responded, twisting the cap off the beers and throwing them away, before handing him a bottle. "a girl can only hope, can't she?" her smiled remained, her green hues meeting his. "i wanted to see you, you know. i almost thought you forgot about me."
Deliveries rarely went according to schedule and that was something that Georgia had learned quite a long time ago. It almost felt too strange for everything to go according to plan. One minute Georgia had been dropping off paperwork and checking inventory and the next, she was recruited to carry boxes through the back entrance of Rosie's Diner. The delivery driver's partner had gone home with the sudden case of the flu and Georgia happened to be nearby. But, it worked for her. Standing around had never been something she was good at.
Pushing the door open with her shoulder, she walked the box through the door and placed it down atop another. "Why do I always convince myself these are actually lighter than they actually are?" Georgia spoke aloud with a breathless laugh. "Have the orders been arriving alright," Georgia questioned with a smile to Delilah, "no shortages?"
she had grown used to the little mishaps here and there; in fact, delilah had come to appreciate the occasional nudge away from the routine of her day. running a business wasn't easy, her grandmother was the real hero, and the best teacher she could ever ask for. without her, there was going to be no diner, no partnerships that went back to generations, feeding families and making sure everyone had food on their table. no matter the time of the day, or night, no matter the weather, delilah knew she wanted to be present for everything, as she wanted to be prepared for the day she'd be the one to take over.
deliveries were one of her favorite parts of the job. there was something fun, and oddly satisfying about neatly placing things exactly where they belonged. as soon as the door open, a smile formed on her face, "jesus, let me get the next one for you." she murmured, walking quick to hold the door, "i don't know. must be the fact you're a strong independent woman. i already tripped twice going down the stairs this morning." the blonde commented, light as a joke, but with a hint of truth. "no, no shortages. i would have texted you. please, take a second, i'll call james to deal with the boxes. can i get you something? a cold coke? a beer? no, wait you drove here, didn't you?"
rhett chuckled at the closed sign at the door as the welcome bell chimed above his head and alerted anyone inside that someone else was coming in. "should really lock the front door if you're closed," he called out, the innocent enough taunt meant for a particular blonde, but could land on whomever if a member of the diner's staff had lingered past their shift. "does that mean it isn't too late to get one of the best burgers in town?" he was biased, of course, seeing as his family's operation played a hand in such.
it was only when the woman he'd been looking for popped out from the back that his smile widened and his heart knocked a little harder against his ribs. "george told me that you're increasin' your order," he started, his gaze remaining on hers, despite how easily it could've dragged down the length of her. "guess that means business is pickin' up?"
she was just checking if everything was in order in the kitchen, if the back doors were closed and all trash was out, before the small bell coming from the front caught her attention, and an instant smile appeared on her face at the sound of his voice. "closing sign usually means closed, rhett." delilah replied, closing the door behind her as she moved slowly towards the front counter. "i know it's a bold concept, but try to keep up." she joked, motioning the toward the two paper bags neatly sitting on the counter. "choose wisely. i'm calling dibs on the fries." he could have it all, if the wanter, but no one could come between the blonde and her fries.
reaching to place the phone on the counter, baby blues focused on him with a softness she didn't have for just anyone. "yeah, my mom placed it this morning." delilah replied softly, taking a step closer but still keeping some distance in case someone, anyone walked by at this hour. "mhm. i'll have to spend more time helping around, which makes me wonder.. did you come all this way just to ask about my meat order? because if that's the case... i'm disappointed."
well, well, well… if it isn’t DELILAH ROSE MONTCLAIR, the TWENTY-NINE year old WAITSTUFF AT ROSIE'S DINER, who is best known around town for FOR BEING THE DAUGHTER WHO FOUND OUT HER FATHER HAS ANOTHER FAMILY. apparently they’ve been living in UPTOWN for TWENTY NINE YEARS and according to word on the street they are PRO-PRESERVATION. i’ve heard that they are quite KIND & STUBBORN, and if their life had a theme song it would be NO ANGELS by BASTILLE.
general details.
full name: delilah rose montclair
nickname(s): lilah, rosie
age: twenty nine
date of birth: january 30th, 1997
place of birth: sedona, arizona
current location: sedona, arizona
gender: female
pronouns: she / her
sexual orientation: heterosexual.
occupation: waitstuff at rosie's diner.
physical appearance.
faceclaim: elle chapman.
hair color and style: warm honey blonde with soft golden undertones. her hair is naturally thick, usually worn in long, loose waves with a center part, though she often throws it into a messy ponytail or claw clip when working at the diner.
complexion: fair with a sun-kissed glow, a few freckles appear across her nose and cheeks after spending time outdoors.
eye color: blue with hints of green and amber that seem to change depending on the light.
height: 5’7” (170 cm)
weight: 125 lbs (57 kg).
tattoos: none.
piercings: standard lobe piercings, usually wearing small gold hoops or delicate studs.
signature scent: fresh citrus, orange blossom, warm vanilla, and soft sandalwood with a hint of sea salt.
negative traits: guarded, stubborn, overprotective, skeptical, emotionally avoidant, takes on too much responsibility, struggles to ask for help, holds grudges longer than she’d like to admit.
habits: bites the inside of her cheek when she's nervous, twirls rings around her fingers, hums softly without noticing, and keeps emergency supplies in her bag.
hogwarts house: hufflepuff.
family.
mother: kathryn montclair (alive - 50+)
father: paul jones (alive - 50+)
sibling(s): hazel leah jones (sister, alive - 31+), olivia jones (half-sister, alive - 32+), patrick jones, (half-brother, alive - 33+), robert jones (half-brother, alive - 35+)
delilah rose montclair is the second daughter of kathryn and her husband, paul, named in honour of her grandmother, rosie montclair; a woman cherished by nearly everyone in sedona for her warmth, generosity, and unforgettable cooking. their father traveled a lot for business, sometimes for weeks or months, and yet, he'd always come back; showering them all with gifts.
while he was gone, the small diner was their second home, as delilah and her sister would spend almost all of their time there after school, doing homework or helping around from a young age. their life was quiet and happy. there was never a sign that something was wrong, their dad was always there for the important moments, school recitals, prom, or graduations. he adored his girls and they adored him.
and then, delilah came across something she never expected to see. she was only twenty-three when she found a photo of her dad on a random person's social media page. he was smiling, he looked happy, but something was off. the name on the profile, didn't match. they called him dad. but he was her dad, and he had his arm around another woman's waist, smiling with what delilah later realised were his children. it didn't take long for reality to catch up with her. only the nightmare didn't end there; it came with the realization that her mother, herself and her sister were the secret family.
her dad, her hero, was a liar. their whole life was a life. and just like that, everything came crashing down. her family found out. half of the town found out.. and by the time he came back, delilah and her sister had already legally changed their name and completely cut him off their lives. it felt like the right thing to do, despite the void that it left her with.
ever since, delilah helps her mother in the diner. the business is supposed to pass down to her, and that alone had given her a reason to put most of her focus on keeping her grandmother's dream alive. she bought a small two-bedroom apartment uptown, and tried her best to live a quiet life, though some of her choices are... questionable already.
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