#( ft. kira aminu )

[nikostewart]

GOLDEN HOUR BEACH BAR ➟ FT. @kira-aminu

The beautiful angel Kira. Niko adored her. How someone like her had the patience for someone like him was a miracle, but that's what angel's were, right? Heavenly. The moment he saw her behind that counter she had his heart. She was precious and deserved the best. Some might think the way he looks at her is belittling, but his feelings for her were entirely sincere. She reminded him of the softness and kindness of his childhood nanny, Camila, and he hadn't felt that kind of feminine warmth since then. Refusing to let anyone close enough, but here he was, Kira next to him making him smile in ways he had forgotten. "You look radiant, by the way," he chimed, eyes moving over her. They were friends and he would never cross that line with her, his affection too strong to ever risk that, but he had eyes. Eyes that liked to wander, and she was breathtaking. "Did you do all of this for little old me?" Niko put his arm around her and leaned in to kiss her cheek, arm remaining behind her chair, shifting his chair so he could sit closer to her. "How you been?"

[papaflynn]

Callum waved off her apologies. A woman like her could take all the time she needed, and men like him would happily wait. At her request, he ordered a bottle of white to the table when a waiter passed. Acts of service seemed to be his port of call to ignore the rising panic within him. Had he even spoken since his last manic ramblings? A thought that caused him to panic some more. Could she see the sweat? Callum grinned at her as she spoke, probably a tad over-enthusiastic. All of this was so foreign to him. Thankfully, the wine was poured into their glasses, and he reached for it like a life jacket. "Uh -- Gen? Yea... why?" Callum sounded defensive. He was still on edge from the kiss with Gen after Trivia night. In fact, he was freaking out. One minute, they were drunk kissing, and then, in a blink, she was texting him about a date with Kira.

Callum's head raced at the mention of the other woman. The two had yet to talk about what had happened, and he was worried that they had ruined their friendship. How do you go from kissing someone to matching them up with someone else? He couldn't focus.

"I'm sorry, I promise I'm not normally like this," he said nervously. "The truth is, I've not been on a real sit-down dinner date like this since my ex..." Maybe if he gave her some insight, she might understand the stress. Callum was twenty when he started dating Hayley, then when she left, he didn't have time for relationships outside of the odd hook-up. This was truly a new experience, and he was sat across from a model that his friend he kissed arranged. This was far from your average date.

Well, he was there. Breathing out a sigh of relief as he recognised her, Kira could feel herself settle, even if it was just a little. On her way over to the restaurant, she had come up with a million different scenarios on what would happen when she would get to Luther's and the top one had been that he wouldn't turn up. At least that was one thing that wouldn't be true.

"I'm good, sorry if I'm a bit late. How are you?" Nodding, maybe a little too eagerly, Kira tried for a grateful smile. "Sure, a white wine would be great, thank you." That would help, at least a glass of wine would take the edge off of her nerves. It wasn't ideal, feeling like she needed wine to get through the evening but considering this was her first proper date since she had broken up with Marcus, it was going to be necessary. "Oh, thank you." Shrugging off her jacket, Kira took her seat at the table before placing her purse on her lap.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Kira smiled at him when he retook his seat. "So have you known Gen for long? She didn't really tell me much when she was wearing her matchmaker hat."

[emilmoreno]

Who: Gen & Kira event - summer music festival. He was fine. That was Emiliano's story and he was sticking to it, and the sunbaked effects of alcohol on him helped him feel it too. That, and, of course - his current company. Music was a constant as the day dwindled, floating through the air intermingled with the whoops and hollers of fans in the crowd and idle chatter. His arm was slung around Gen's shoulders swaying, and the trio was likely giving one another a run for their money in terms of who might be the most toasted. "Oh, no - I'm not allowed to sing along," Emil laughed "I have no idea who Tanner Adell even is." He admitted and openly cringed, waiting for both of his friends to potentially give him the side-eye. He swayed and bumped his hip with Gen's, and tossed Kira an over-confident wink, "-but that doesn't stop me from dancin' around like an idiot." ( @genortiz )

[mcrcosantos]

starter for: @kira-aminu location: briar ridge summer music fest

Marco was a little bit drunk off his ass. Okay, he was a lot drunk off his ass. Cali had sent his emotions into a tailspin when she'd crawled into his bed that night and he hadn't quite recovered. It was too easy to get wrapped up in the moment with her, to forget the very real realities of their situation. And while nothing had gone on between them physically, despite how badly Marco had wished it could have in the moment, that night was seared in his brain. He couldn't get it out of his head. So when the summer music festival had rolled around, Marco had very easily been persuaded into attempting to drink the memory of her away with the boys.

Attempting being the keyword.

By the end of the night, he'd only succeeded in making a fool of himself with the guys and dulling the pain till it was a throbbing ache. He knew he needed to head home. There was nothing good that would come from staying out and drinking more for him. So he began to make his way to the entrance, stumbling a bit every once in a while like the idiot he was.

[cameronbishcp]

starter for: @kira-aminu location: chapman's grocer

If he was being completely honest, Cameron was still getting used to not only cooking but also shopping for himself. Back in New York, he could afford to hire people to do that kind of stuff for him, so he why waste his very limited time? But while Paradise Point was keeping him busy, it was nowhere near as frantic as he was back in New York and a lot of times it felt like Cam had nothing but time. So he was making an effort to focus on day to day activities he hadn’t done in years. 

His plan was to make homemade chicken alfredo for his dinner tonight and he was eyeing the ready made alfredo sauces, trying to convince himself not to cheat and buy them instead of making the sauce himself, when his cart accidentally bumped into someone else’s. "Shit, I'm so-" the words died on his lips when he finally looked over at just who he had bumped into. "Kira." He hadn't actually meant to say her name out loud, but somehow it had slipped out. Six months he had been back in Briar Ridge and he hadn't managed to bump into her that entire time. By now, Cameron didn't know if he had begun to hope they didn't see each other or if it was just a coincidence. Now here he was, face to face with her and he had no idea if he was relieved it was finally happening or what. But he truly didn't know what to say.

[niaxbailey]

TASK TWO - FRIENDSHIP MOODBOARD

( @kira-aminu ) I wanna kiss you in places you're insecure about.

[valentincflores]

She nodded appreciatively as Kira acknowledged how her actions must have looked. "That's really good to hear." She didn't really know Kira, so when she had heard that the woman had slept with her ex right after hearing that Val was with Marcus, there was no benefit of the doubt to give. It had felt pointed and like a pretty great way to get back at her. Val had spent a good amount of time after finding out what Kira had done feeling pretty angry at the woman. It was nice to finally let those feelings go. "Honestly, I really appreciate that, Kira. I've been carrying around this anger over the whole situation for a while now." she paused to let out a breath as she forced her brain to stay trained on their conversation, instead of focusing on listening to the louder argument going on behind them. It took more effort, but she had a lot of practice. "It feels good to be able to let it go, now. No hard feelings here." she announced after a moment, a tentative smile tugging at her lips.

"Obviously, I know very little about your situation, but I hope we can both get to a point where we're not just holding onto old feelings soon." she offered, realizing she truly meant it. She wanted the best for Marcus and now Kira too. Whatever the best was for each of them.

With a laugh at Kira's words, Val couldn't help but shake her head with a laugh. "It's always the most obscure things, isn't it?"

There were so many decisions Kira would make differently if she could do that over again. She knew that seeing her ex with someone new so long after they had broken up shouldn't have hurt her to the degree that it did and even though she could say that she hadn't slept with Valentina's ex out of revenge, it still wasn't going in the good decisions column. Guilt had wracked her for weeks after, after all, it was the final push to get her into therapy.

"No, I get that. I would think the same if the situations were reversed but I would just like to assure you, it wasn't like that." Blowing out a breath, Kira placed her hands in her lap, her fingers tapping against each other as she tried to keep the nerves she was feeling out of her voice. "I think, with how I felt that day, it could've been anyone. There was no part of me that did it to get back at you, not consciously anyway." One thing she had learned lately was that even if it was uncomfortable, honesty was her only way forward. "But I am sorry for any hurt my actions caused, it wasn't my intention, but it doesn't absolve me of wrongdoing and I hope you can accept my apology."

Shrugging her shoulders, Kira's sad smile matched that of the girl opposite her and she quickly blinked, trying to keep her eyes clear of any tears that threatened. "Seems that way, huh?" Her smile warmed a little and with Val's little exclamation, Kira felt the tension in her shoulders ease slightly. "Apparently we're not the only ones, we've managed to have a full conversation and those two are still going at it." Glancing back at the arguing couple, Kira winced a little at one of the verbal jabs. "Pretty sure I just heard cheese sauce and I have never been more intrigued."

[nikostewart]

@kira-aminu

[emilmoreno]

@kira-aminu Location: Beach Front, Emil's home. As the sun slowly set over the horizon, both Emil and his furry four-legged companion were sprawled across the sand just a skip and a hop from the front gate to his dwelling. Zero idea where his shoes were, or the last time he'd checked his phone - for the time, or an update from Kira on when she'd left to meet him. The man was exhausted in a way he couldn't recall being in a very long time, and he was kind of hoping perhaps the beach may just peacefully swallow him whole. At some point, the shadow of another human passed over him and blocked out the cotton candy rays of sunset that painted the sky. Emil squinted upwards, one eye still closed as he peered up at his company. "Hey there sunshine... don't mind me, I've just had a hard time talking myself into... moving, existing. Ya know." His laugh was a thick rumble in his chest. Belatedly the black and white ball of fur lazed beside him on the beach perked up and sounded Kira's arrival. "Some guard dog you are Herc..."

[emilmoreno]

🍔🔥

🍔What food do they hate?

He's allergic to shellfish, so there's that. Just genuinely dislike wise there isn't much. When people put weird things in pasta salad? Thinks pineapple on pizza is a crime most of the time.

🔥 How did they become close with their best friend?

@kira-aminu and I have known each other since we were in high school, we used to go on double dates and we've been close for what seems like forever. I don't know what I would've done without her while I was going through my divorce and the original custody trial for Isa.

[mcrcosantos]

"Perfect. Sounds like a foolproof plan either way." he responded with a chuckle, shaking his head. The truth of the matter was, he was a coward. And while he knew deep down in his heart that the chance at true happiness with Cali was worth the risk, his current reality, no matter how twisted it might be, was good too. And he was scared to take that leap.

"Because that's on him not you. Your feelings are real and no one can predict how long you'll be hung up on a person. Everyone's timeline is different." he said matter of factly as if there really wasn't an argument for her being the sad sack between the two of them. But he nodded at her explanation. "That's probably a healthy outlook and I can respect that. You deserve to be happy, Kira." He hoped she knew he wasn't just saying that. They'd only been known each other for a half hour or so, but Marco felt a kinship with the woman. And he could tell she was a good person, someone deserving of all the love she clearly had to give.

Clearing his throat nervously, he leaned forward, taking the bite she offered him. "Mmm" he closed his eyes, in an exaggerated show of how good the piece of cake was. Letting out a loud laugh, more at himself than anything else, he reached over and pulled her chair closer to his, turning so his body could face her. "I hope you know I have no idea how to flirt on command." he apologized, keeping his voice low so that they wouldn't be heard, but leaning in close so she could hear him. And give the impression that he was doing all he could to get closer to her. He did his best not to glance over at Cali, wondering the whole time if he was making a complete ass of himself.

Having never been in his situation, maybe it was unfair for Kira to have such a strong opinion but even though she had only known him for minutes, there was something in her that just liked Marco. She wanted this to work out for him. They had both loved people for their whole adult lives and if it couldn't work out for her, she wanted to see it work out for him. "Oh sure, I'll give you my therapist's number, see if I can get a discount for referrals." Smiling over at him, Kira laughed softly, hoping that one day she'd hear that Marco and his best friend were living happily ever after.

"Not sure how it doesn't apply to the one at the table still moping after the guy that dumped her nearly a decade ago. It's fine, the sad people have the coolest clubs." Laughing again, Kira took another bite of her dessert for nothing if not to hide the little ache in her chest she felt at the thought of her ex. "I don't know, honestly. Part of me thinks maybe but a lot of therapy has me trying to focus more on me than him. Having it up in the air was just too painful to live with constantly."

Her eyes flitted back over to the girl in pink as Marco's did, her lips curving into a smirk as she watched how quickly he turned. Looking back to her date, she pursed her lips for a moment as she thought before cutting off a piece of her dessert with her fork. "Easy, just play along." Waiting until she could see the girl looking their way again, Kira smiled as she held up the forkful of her dessert to Marco. "Just let her think this is going well in a different way to the way it is. When you speak to her and she asks about me, it'll either be jealous or interested, or she won't ask at all and then trust me, you'll know."

[niaxbailey]

"I know," Nia reassured with a slow subtle nod. "Luckily, I'm pretty confident. I didn't need it spelled out." She had hang-ups, like anyone else, but it was usually more around trusting herself. Wondering if she trusted herself to play a more long-term role in someone's life. Confident, but wary of commitment. She was a good time, but maybe that was all she was good for. "You're such a considerate person," Nia praised with a genuine unshaking warmth to her tone. "I don't hate hearing you don't hold anything against me." She amended, the whisper of a chuckle parted her lips. "I would feel awful if I'd upset you." In her eyes, Kira deserved the world. Nia just wasn't the woman able to give it to her. "Anyway! Pinky promise, I wasn't taking anything to heart. I'm still a little... married to the resort, even if my sous chef tries to run me off." She affectionately rolled her eyes. "Yeah, it was my first bad one." She admitted as her teeth briefly cut across her bottom lip. "Not my favorite Briar Ridge experience thus far, to be honest, but I survived unscathed. Just wet and cold. Lost my voice a bit." A shrug decorated her slender shoulders. "You? I hope the ice cream parlor stuck together." Helping local businesses like Kira's was a deep-rooted passion for the woman. "That's true, my Halloween celebrations in the city were a bit more... chaotic." Nia snorted a graceless laugh.

It was refreshing really. So many of the people in Kira's life had known her before she had turned into shell but for people like Nia that had only known her during that time, it added a whole new layer to her confidence that they were no different with her now than they were then. Maybe she wasn't as different now as she thought, but in a good way. "You really do look stunning. It was a great choice." She might have been doing better in herself now, but taking any form of compliment was still a work in progress. Blushing a little, Kira could only smile. "Thank you, the feeling was mutual, even if I struggled to show it, you know?"

She was grateful for Nia, truly. When she had needed it, she had been the perfect distraction from the mess she saw her life as and now she was so easily trying to make Kira feel better about her minor disappearing act. "Thank you, but I just feel like I should make sure you know it was nothing to do with you. It was always just me and my weird way of working through things. But I'm really happy to see you here." Nodding, Kira's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the hurricane and as she tracked back through the memories she had of Nia, she wasn't sure if she had been here when the last storm had hit. "Was it your first one? You weren't hurt or had any damage anywhere, right? Probably not as common up in New York, huh?" Glancing around the room, Kira grinned as she glanced back to the girl. "Fewer storms but where else can you go to a Halloween party in a town so small you pretty much know everyone here?"

[camercnbishop]

Cameron had always been an early riser. Mornings, before the rush of work set in were the best time for him to clear his head. And running helped with that. He was running through the streets of Briar Ridge's downtown, when he rounded a corner and collided with someone. "Crap! My apologies-" his words faded off into silence when he realized just who he had literally run into. Briar Ridge really did have a cruel sense of humor. Cameron was under no illusions as to how much Kira Aminu didn't want to see him. So to have them run in like this felt a bit like a cruel joke.

He began to reach out as if to make sure she was truly ok, but stopped when he remembered Kira wouldn't want his help. Instead, he reached up and scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that, I wasn't paying enough attention either." It was only then that he was able to get a good look at her and the outfit she was wearing. Didn't quite look like what he could imagine she would wear to open up her store. "I like how empty the streets usually are at this hour." he offered with a shrug of a shoulder. "Looks like you had a good time last night?" he asked casually, referring to the night out she had clearly had, not anything else. He really was just trying to continue any sort of semblance of a conversation. "Or is Scoops just implementing a more sparkly uniform these days?" He asked it with a laugh, hoping it'd maybe keep the tension between them at bay.

Location: A street downtown Starter for: @camercnbishop

One night stands weren't something she had ever imagined she'd have many of, which considering she'd been convinced she'd found her husband in high school wasn't much of a shock. Even after her break up with Marcus, she had struggled to have just one night things, even if commitment to anyone made her break out in a cold sweat. But after her one night stand after the summer event, she had realised just how much she needed to break free. For so long, her private life had been dictated by lingering feelings and one even if her therapist wasn't recommending her course of action, for the first time, she wanted to get back out there, even if she wasn't ready to mix sex and dating just yet.

Needing to get to the shop, Kira had snuck out of bed, leaving her tinder date asleep before quickly dressing and hurrying out of his place as quickly and quietly as she could. As she exited onto the street, she began the walk towards her house, smoothing her hair down as she went. She might not be ashamed, but she didn't need anyone she knew to see her bed hair.

"Oh shit, sorry, I wasn't looking!" It was typical that she'd collide with someone only ten steps into her walk home but even more typical that it would be one of the few people she'd like to see least on her walk of no shame. "God, it's like walking into a wall. You're up early." God she wished she wasn't wearing last night's clothes.

[nikostewart]

"Nope, you're not," Niko replied with a wiggle of his brows and a bite of his lower lip. The man never missing an opportunity to make the tone sexual. It was his safety net - go to humor. If he wasn't taking anything serious, then no one would take him serious. Besides, Kira knew that he was only ever playing. She was a goddess and sure they had met when he had tried to hit on her, but they were long past that. She was the closest thing he had ever had to family since his childhood nanny, Camila. "You are all woman," he then added in a deep voice followed with a slow wink. His mood immediately shifted to softness when she leaned into him and he kissed the top of her head. "I adore you more," he muttered, cheek resting against her curls as they shared a brief but tender moment.

"I'm sorry!" He exclaimed, patting her dress dry with a napkin. "I just -- all my women have screamed... well, not all have screamed out loud, but they are noisy..." Niko pondered this for a moment, expression tense in thought. "You don't think they were faking it, right?" They couldn't have. He prided himself on his bedroom skills. Niko scrunched his face up and shook his head at this internal crisis and turned to her, a new thought in his mind. "Have you ever thought about us? What our sex could be like?" He had. Sure, he wouldn't act on it, but it had crossed his mind.

Growing up, Kira had always been the quiet kid. Although she had loved her older sister and adored her twin brother, she had always felt like the add on, like she lived a little in their shadows. When she had met Marcus, she had begun to come out of her shell a bit, but she had never been the most confident of people. She thought she was pretty, she thought she was a good person, but she had always batted away compliments like she was a baseball player. Even with Niko, who she knew would shower her with them, she still smiled and rolled her eyes, it just wasn't in her nature.

Closing her eyes for a second as he bopped her nose, Kira chuckled as she batted his finger away. "My god, I'm not a child." Shaking her head, she leaned towards him, her face brighter with a smile. "Drag me down, even if the rumours are true, it wouldn't change the fact that I adore you." Laughing quietly, she pushed herself back up to sit properly, shrugging her shoulder nonchalantly. "Maybe, but you have no proof."

Rolling her eyes a little at his yelp, Kira couldn't help but laugh at his dramatics. "Who said it was a lie?" Before she could do anything else, she jumped backwards on her stool, grabbing onto the bar to stop herself from falling off of it as he spat his mouthful of drink out. "Niko!" Reaching for a napkin, she handed it over to him. "Not that long, I'm just not a screamer, never have been." Shrugging her shoulders, she kept her voice quiet as she glanced around them, gaging how close the next person was to her. "I don't think I've ever screamed in any aspect of my life actually. This is not an invite for you to start grading my sex life either, so get your head out of the gutter."

[nikostewart]

It amazed him how humble some folk could be. All he had was his obnoxious confidence and he used it whenever and wherever to get what he wanted. Sadly, that didn't always end well, but he had been lucky enough - so far - to charm his way out difficult situations. Kira could learn a little from him, maybe not a lot, but a little. She was sweet, successful, and strikingly beautiful. Niko was totally enamored by her. However, he knew how to take a hint and he paused the flattery... for now.

Niko grinned until his eyes crinkled when she pouted, reaching up to bop her nose. She was too precious. "If I say yes, the rumors are true, will you disown me or continue to let me drag you down my level?" He teased back with a wink of his own. When she leaned in an arm instinctively reached around her small shoulders and held her close, grunting dramatically when she nudged his side. "Was that assault, Miss Aminu?" He poked her side as retaliation making sure that it tickled.

"Ouch!" He yelped, feigning injury, but the smirk and laughter that followed let him down. "Didn't your parents teach you not to lie?" Niko asked with a raised brow, as if chastising a child, then the act faltered at her next words, spitting out his drink. "Oh really now?" He looked at her curiously for a moment, then the smirk on his lips grew. "Honey, how long has it been?"

Rolling her eyes a little, Kira reached out to gently turn his face away from her. She had never been particularly great at accepting compliments, even from someone who was one of her best friends. "Sure, but that's enough of that talk. We're meant to be a fun night out, not a crash course in trying to improve my ego."

Looking at him, Kira felt her lips slip into a little pout. She might not be great at accepting compliments, but when he was that adorable with her, it was hard not to be flattered. "Well, that's very sweet. But if my presence improves yours, does that mean your presence reduces mine?" Winking at him, Kira laughed quietly. "Oh, I've heard some of them and what, ninety percent are true?" Leaning into him again, Kira gave him a little nudge with her elbow, making sure he knew she was joking.

"Don't you dare.." Shaking her head, she closed her eyes as he ordered their drinks, earning a laugh from the bartender. "Coming right up." Opening her eyes, she forced a smile before she gently slapped her hand on Niko's thigh. "I hate you, a whole lot." Closing the menu, Kira shook her head again, her black curls bouncing. "Screaming is overrated anyway."

[papaflynn]

Romance came harder to Callum. At the turn of the year he had made a vow to put himself out there more. That didn't stop him from hating all this. Callum was waiting on Kira, a friend of a friend who had agreed to a date with him. A fact that shocked him when he saw her picture. She was way out of his league. How was he meant to sit there, waiting, ultimately to disappoint someone? Callum sighed and looked at his watch, foot nervously tapping. If he didn't pride himself on his manners, he might have left with the stress of it all.

That's when he heard his name and spun to meet the person from which it came. "Kira, hey!" He exclaimed a little louder than he had intended. Queue the flush of his cheeks. She would grow used to that tonight as he suffered from chronic blushing. "How are you? Would you like a drink?" Callum was visibly flustered but hoped she wouldn't comment on it as he would die on the spot. A drink or two and he would relax. "Oh here, let me grab your coat," he continued in his manic introduction, stepping behind her to help take it off. She was even more beautiful and that didn't help his rising panic, but she was here. That was something at least.

Location: Luther's Starter for: @papaflynn

It was the next logical step to heal. If she was truly going to close the door on the heartbreak over her long deceased relationship, she had to at least try and move on. When she had discussed it with her therapist, it had seemed easy. All she had to do was go to dinner with somebody, something she did regularly anyway but now that the word 'date' had been tagged onto it, she couldn't quite stop her palms from getting clammy.

She'd walked to Luther's from the shop and as she stood outside, she quickly wiped her hands together to try and rid them of the evidence of her nerves. "You can do this." With a few more deep breaths, she opened the door and looked around, only having vague memories of the picture her friend had showed her before she'd set the blind date up. It only took her a few seconds to find someone that looked somewhat familiar and before she could second guess herself, she walked over to him. "Callum?"