"Caught Him Myself, But Cameras Aren't A Bad Idea," Leyla Joked. Her Qualifications For What A Snacker

"Yeah, there's usually some good in every experience," Leyla regurgitated some therapist's advice, though she was still working on that as a consistent mindset. "I met some really great people while I was there," she admitted. Nodding, she said, "if I spend too much time with my parents, I do." She was actually enjoying having this conversation with someone who also had the experience of not being born in America. It was so different sometimes. "Do you ever miss it?" Then again, with the business he owned, he could probably go home whenever he wanted. A quick and easy jump on a plane. Smiling, she agreed, "go us. Does it ever start feeling real? Or do you still sometimes wake up thinking 'there's no way this business is mine'?"

"Then that's all that matters, is that you found something enjoyable out of the whole experience," he knew not to push past that, understanding that family could be a tricky subject, especially when discussing with a stranger at a beach party. But discovering more about where you came from and your history was never a bad thing, either, that was for sure. "Do you ever find yourself thinking in one language over another?" he aksed curiously. "It took me a long time to realize I had started thinking in English, since I grew up speaking Italian and then Spanish," and then moved to the States and everything changed. "It's beautiful," he smied, a wistful expression. Rafael got to visit 'home' every now and then, but it was still a dream when the opportunity arose and he loved every moment of it. "I have," he nodded thoughtfully. "And now you have, too. Go us, right?"

#sleeping beauty 

Leyla wanted her place to be as good as any other bar, and you could always send those drinks back too. Even if she was very confident in the quality of her menu, everyone had different tastes. "The option is always available," she promised. Since it was her recommendation, Leyla did hope she'd like it. "That's what I thought," she replied with a laugh. "Okay, I'll do it then. Maybe I'll take your recommendation on your favorite flavors." Her brow briefly furrowed as the other woman laughed before she explained. "Good thing I sent the last one into early retirement, so there's a vacancy," she teased, "but I think that's perspective, it could make you an angel."

Valentina nodded. She didn't want the brunette to go out of her way just for her drink but she appreciated the gesture. "I'm sure it'll be just fine." After all, she seemed to know what she was doing with all the mocktails and smoothies. "I'm the only adult who allows them to eat candies, of course I'm their favorite person," she joked. "But yes please, come and have a look. I'll make you an ice cream, if you're not into candy." All of a sudden, she let out a short laugh as she realized something, "You're making me a healthy drink and I'm offering you candy in return, I feel like a little devil on your shoulder."

Love you, definitely love you. As long as we're allowed to eat some of it. But I completely agree with you, I feel like all I want when the weather gets cold is soup. Have you ever made Adasi? It's a Persian lentil soup, and it's delicious. I have a recipe for it if you want to give it a try.

The temperatures are dropping which means it is officially soup season at my place, which means I'm in the mode to make a ton of soups. So far I've already made Italian penicillin, chicken gnocchi, and now I've got bacon cheeseburger potato soup in the making. Nothing better than when the temperatures drop than having something comforting like soup. Pretty sure my roommates are either going to love me or hate me with the fridge full of it. Either way, give me more ideas, what's your must have soups during fall and winter? @merrock

Leyla had lived alone before this in a New York apartment and saw very little reason to decorate for her eyes only. It just felt silly and not at all worth the effort. However, she wasn't alone this year. Decorating with Darrius gave her something to do that wasn't work, therapy, or...work. Despite herself, she actually found herself having fun. "They're...coming," she murmured as she checked back on her phone for reference before looking up and giving a little motion to move the side he was holding up a little. "Almost." She was a bit of a perfectionist, most probably wouldn't notice but it was uneven enough to bother her the entire season if she didn't say something. "Do you usually make these for this time of year?" She asked as she spread the pumpkin seeds a little more.

WHO: Darrius & @leyla-tehrani

WHERE: home on the coast

WHEN: September, 2023

The house was going to look good; it was Darrius's first major holiday living in a house where there was enough room to decorate, where he didn't have to worry about the dogs running into a tree in this corner or something taking up too much walking space. No, this year he had a house, a home, and most importantly, he had friends to decorate it with. Looking over at Leyla as he stretched up to attach one of the garland ends to the doorway, he nodded his head towards the tray of pumpkin seeds. "How are those coming? I've almost got this hung, I think, if it looks okay to you?"

Since the moment of his confession, she had wanted something to make it better. Some word, some revenge, some idea...anything that would just make it better. He could offer her none of it. She knew he was sorry, but it wasn't a word that made it go away. It didn't bring the trust back or make her feel less unworthy; it didn't take the carefully crafted walls down or ease the self-talk that plagued her.

She couldn't leave him like this, even after everything. If any of the old Leyla was still alive, she had to care. She hated him, that was still true, but she loved him too. Not in the same way, that was long in the rearview, but people who made it to her heart never really left. Wiping quickly at her own tear, she started to reach for him but pulled her hand away like a flame that would burn. "You'll be okay," she murmured instead.

More of that poison-laced truth. If he wanted it, then why didn't he? That elusive why continued to taunt and torment her. "I'm having trouble believing that," she confessed honestly because it was all she could say. It still felt like her fault. You're too difficult, Leyla... "Maybe you're still just looking for something." Something not in her.

Her heart caved in as that question struck her with a million memories. Hands shaking, fork nervously tapping the plate, 'it's not the food' she would sob as if he didn't already know that. He was a great cook, and he never took any offense when she struggled to eat whatever he made. What do you need from me? When she looked too long in the mirror, counting every flaw. What do you need from me? When her mother called and made some fleeting jab of a remark. What do you need from me? "We're adults, there's no need to avoid each other, it's a small town," she said, leaving all emotion out of her voice. Her questions seemed pointless, and she wasn't sure if he had any more answers. But it came out anyway. "Was it...exhausting to love me? Was it too dark? Did you just need light?"

It was on the tip of his tongue again—another apology, trying to flee his parted lips and find her. Apologizing for apologizing too much was one of Vitus's most stubborn habits, formed over the last few years. He swallowed the rest of his I'm sorry's, forcing the horde of them back down into the core of his body. Leyla didn't want them anymore. Maybe she never had.

Here they were, both crying because Vitus hurt her ten years ago, and yet. Leyla was the one being patient with him. Guiding him back to some semblance of calm, the same way she used to. Deep breaths. She'd told him that when he stumbled home and splintered into a thousand sharp pieces after seeing his mother for the first time in years. As he had back then, Vitus followed her voice, drawing and releasing each breath one at a time. It helped. Of course it helped. And the fact that he'd burdened her with caretaking here, now, with him of all people, only drove the guilt deeper into his chest.

"I know, how it made you feel. How it made you doubt. But I did want to be faithful to you. I swear, I did. I've always wanted to be that guy." The one who could leave home for days at a time and think only of the connection waiting for him there. The one who didn't become excited, in some small part, whenever he cheated on someone. Vitus wanted the happily-ever-after kind of love, just never knew how to hold onto it long enough to make it last. She was right—he needed to figure it out, for the sake of every partner he'd ever hurt and every one he might still hurt down the line.

"What do you need from me?" He had asked her this question before. Intermittently throughout their relationship, as she struggled to look at the food on her plate or keep the future she wanted within sight. Back then it had been a matter of supporting her through personal troubles. This time, it was a matter of yielding to her amid the mess he made. "I can... answer any questions you have. I can steer clear of you around town." Intentional avoidance would heap more pain atop his shoulders, but this wasn't about him. "Whatever you need, Leyla."

Leyla was happy for the enthusiastic feedback to the idea, hoping the rest of town was as into the idea and it brought increased business in the way she hoped. "That's amazing, congratulations! You look great, how do you feel?"

"That's the goal," she said, warmly. People loving it and wanting to come often was all she wanted to see, to know she could make this successful. "That would be an absolute dream, thank you. The people who've come in so far have seemed to enjoy it, but word of mouth is the true testament to a successful place. The more people who hear about it, the better." As she asked her about what led her to open Mawk Tales, Leyla paused, thinking it over a moment. "I've always wanted to open a business, as far back as I can remember. Life got in the way a bit, but I finally got my Master's a couple years ago and decided it was time. I wanted a place that was safe, comfortable for everyone. Like Cheers. I don't believe you have to drink to have a good time, and some people can't or don't want to. This way, everyone can experience the warmth built with bartenders and friends in bars without the alcohol."

“I’d love to come by and check it out!” Alice said enthusiastically. She loved discovering new things in town, and making new friends. She smiled again. “December,” Alice said happily. “So we are about halfway there, which is really exciting!” She nodded.

“Likewise,” Alice grinned. “I hope so too! I’m going to really love it here,” she told her. “Absolutely. I’m always looking for new stories and new places for townspeople to visit. Shake things up a bit with some variety. I know a lot of folks will appreciate a good mocktail,” she nodded. “Thank you,” She said as she took a sip of her drink, pleasantly surprised at how refreshing it tasted. “This is quite tasty. What led you to open up a place like this?”

"It is! Once I'm done, I'm happy to let you borrow it if you would like," she offered, "even if you don't own your own business, I think any woman can benefit from some of the lessons." Anything female empowerment should be shared in Leyla's opinion. "Aren't those quite spicy or is the show overselling? I would think that's very exciting," she quipped.

"Oh, that sounds interesting," she commented. She loved anything about empowerment and that sort of thing, and loved how readily available. "That's very bold of you. I'm reading through the Bridgerton books, not very exciting at all, but I enjoy it for what it is."