Most People Were Reading Fiction Or Memoirs, And She Was Reading Like She Was Still In School. It's What

"Good, I don't have to worry," she joked, but shrugging, "uh, maybe, if you're watching me." Her intent was fully to get something small and super plain, but she wouldn't tell the other woman that. She seemed like the female Willy Wonka by the sounds of her so far. "I don't know that I've had a cupcake in...a very long time. I don't think I can even remember what those taste like." Trying new things sounded equally bad to her. Aside from a business perspective, Leyla didn't really like to venture out from her safety net of the known much. "There's cotton candy, that might also give you a sugar high for a solid week. Add chocolate chips and you're all set," she said, probably proving her point about not being a sweets person.

"Vanilla's a classic for a reason, so no judgment here," She nodded. "I at least hope you'll get sprinkles or something, makes it more fun." she laughed, then raised an eyebrow at her comment. She realized other people may not have shared the same love for sweets she did, but hearing it out loud made her question her company for a moment. "Everyone has their own preferences, mine just happens to be every and any type of dessert. I would've made cupcakes, but this was just on a whim," and what kind of reward would it be if she had to make it herself? "Yeah, it is a bit overwhelming. That's why I stuck to my one favorite flavor, but I suppose life should be about trying new things." she commented, even as she stared longingly at the empty spot where the cookie dough should've been.

"Yeah, can you imagine adding alcohol to the smack-talking that's already going down?" Even sitting reading her book, she could feel the competitive nature in the air and hear some of the conversations around her. "Definitely not," she agreed. Besides, when it basically tasted the same why add something more volatile to the mix. "I do," she said proudly, "it's been sort of a lifelong dream come true. I would love it if you stopped by, it's a place for everyone. Something like a bar atmosphere without the alcohol, but it's quieter so you can actually enjoy your friends. What do you do?"

"I mean it's far too early to break out the booze anyway, especially with kids around. Last thing they need are adults liquored up playing volleyball and getting into arguments." she chuckled, not that she expected that to happen often but you know, anything could happen when you mixed alcohol with heat, competition, and time in the sun. "Don't need to be breaking up potential issues before the fun has even begun." And this was away to enjoy something like a cocktail without worrying and it was hydrating. "Oh! You own the business? I keep meaning to stop in, one night after work I would love to see more of what it's like. Think having a place you can go and feel like you're getting a drink without it being just some kind of soda is amazing."

"I hope not," Leyla said with a slight laugh, "everyone has seemed to like them so far." She wasn't really afraid of that, not in a town like this, but still, she hoped for good feedback. "I'll take hopeless addiction, at least it's mostly healthy ingredients so you can feel relatively guilt-free about it." That was one thing she was really loving about Merrock, everyone was genuinely so kind and supportive of one another. "Apple Cider Mule," She listed off, starting with the one he'd just picked up, "then Autumn Spice, Pumpkin Pie Martini, and Ginger Pear." That way he'd know which one he liked best. "That's the idea, yeah!" She nodded as he asked about her experience, "a little bit. I'm trying to make some time for it because I really do want to see what everyone else has put together. I got some blueberry jam from the Newman Family Farm and this really cute crochet pumpkin." She pulled it out from her bag under the table to show him. "And I plan to catch one of the horseback rides if I can and maybe the Morris Winery. I don't think I'd try it, but I think it might be fun to watch some people grape stomping like that I Love Lucy episode. Where are you headed next?"

"Something tells me that you won't have anyone spitting drinks back out," Josh laughed, shaking his head. Sure, people could have discerning tastes, be picky about the things that they chose to eat and drink, but something told him that no one in this town was going to have a problem with a delicious, fall-themed beverage. "Alright, good deal, that way I know where to go to get my fix once I ended up hopelessly addicted," and then have to find another one that he liked once the Christmas and winter seasons rolled around, that was how this cycle inevitably went, every single time. "Ah, perfect, thank you so much!" He reached for the first drink, admiring the color, and broke into a smile. "I'll definitely end up taking one with me. Feels best to explore a place like this with a drink and snack in hand, doesn't it? Have you gotten the chance to wander around yet?"

Flights were always one of her favorite options, especially at new places. It gave a good sampling for customers to come back and order more of the ones they liked the best. "I'll get that going," Leyla stated, giving a few moments of thought to what to include. When she started to shake one up, she asked, "you're in a band, right?"

At the suggestion of the flight, Alec paused for a moment. "Let's do that then. You can pick the other two, just no smoothies," her shook his head at the last part. Nothing better than recommendations straight from the owner, right?

WHO: Leyla & @docolives WHERE: Harmony Ranch

At one of the treatment centers, Leyla had gone through some equine therapy, and she found so much progress and help in it. When she learned that Merrock had a similar sort of program largely geared toward kids, it was all she could do not to run all the way from the coast to the countryside to see if there were any opportunities for her to do something.

"Excuse me," she asked the blonde she spotted, knowing she'd seen her around before, "do you have any spots for a volunteer? Like an application or something I could fill out?"

theboldtypetv everything the light touches is our kingdom. happy 20th anniversary @thelionking broadway. 🦁 #lionking20

The cutest™

Part of Leyla had wanted to get a place on her own, close herself off completely at the end of a long day. No one to tell her when she needed to stop working sounded divine. But she had learned the importance of coming into the light, and so she made the choice to surround herself with people. Bleary-eyed from looking at the numbers from the weekend on her laptop, she went to make herself some tea. The 'hmm' reached her ears before she realized anyone was in here. "Tea," she corrected as she grabbed her teapot and began to fill it with water, "lavender to relax. Would you like some to go with your snack?"

WHO: Darrius & @leyla-tehrani

WHERE: home; coastal area

WHEN: August, 2023

School would be starting soon, and although Darrius loved teaching at the community center, he absolutely dreaded the last few weeks before the first day. Sure, he could play it cool and say that he loved coming up with lesson plans and deciding what they would learn and when and why and how, but there was that extra layer of stress that sometimes led to him needing some sort of sweet treat. That was why he found himself with his head in the fridge, sorting through jars of this and that, and letting out a 'hmm,' only righting himself when he heard someone else enter the kitchen. "Are you looking for a snack, too?"

It took her longer than she wanted to get here, but the fire for her goals had been there after all. It just took the lowest point in her life and the climb out of it to inspire her again. "I did!" She exclaimed, "and it is amazing. The town has seemed to really love it, the location really has been everything." She was so used to having her guard up, that she forgot how freeing it felt to have someone around that didn't need the wall.

"But there is a family farm, so you can go up there and see if some rugged farmer needs a big city girl to help him save the family farm," Leyla replied, laughing a little at the absurdity of it and how realistic it actually sounded in this setting. Though she was pretty sure the Newman Family Farm wasn't in danger. Just because a shirtless hunk was destined for her movie, love had long lost its meaning, she would support her friend in her dreams. She nodded, remembering she had brothers, so it made sense. "So you probably know more than I do about this place," she admitted, smiling as Cemille mentioned the dance studio. She always had been an exquisite dancer. "I haven't been out dancing in forever, I might need a refresher or do you not teach club dance?" She was teasing, but she really didn't think it would be the worst idea to find a place to go dancing sometime. "They don't seem real," she agreed, "everyone is almost too nice. I like it though...in a weird way." Even if she didn't always act like it.

"You did?" Her eyes lit up, but Leyla was the type of person who always went after what she wanted, so she shouldn't have been too surprised. "Wow, congratulations! I have to be sure to stop in to check it out. I'm sure with you running it, it'll be amazing." She nodded, earnestly. She couldn't think of anyone who deserved it more than her. She was just one of those people Cemile felt at ease with, and she thought small-town life suited her.

"Bummer about the lack of shirtless lumberjacks though, I was hoping one would sweep me off my feet. But I guess that fantasy is tabled." she joked, a slight grin on her face at the thought. Though she understood what Leyla meant, this place did remind her of something out of a made-for-TV movie. "Well, I spent summers in Merrock so it's not a new town. But my brothers have been here for a few years, and I figured it was time to make an effort with the family. So mainly for them, but I'm also teaching dance at the local studio which is a nice change. Everyone here is so," she struggled to find the word, without making it seem like she was being cynical. Because in reality, she was starting to like this place once again. "Wholesome, but I guess I'm making things work. Maybe once people stop being so overbearing I'll finally like it here."