dariarutherford

[dariarutherford]

First of all, just come see me for the good coffee beans. Second of all, not gonna lie, but that pun definitely made me chuckle. I mean, come on, you've gotta appreciate a good dad joke.

I came into the main house this morning to steal the good coffee beans, and my uncle looked at me dead pan, said 'how do you make an egg roll?', and then proceeded to say 'you push it' then started giggling like his child. He's taking this dad thing too seriously...

[dariarutherford]

Daria gave a satisfied little nod. “Good. That’s the energy I like to hear.” She handed her shirts over to the vendor with a quick smile, then glanced back at Nick. “And if you do trip, just throw in a dramatic tuck and roll as a recovery, pretend it was all part of the show. I’ll back you up.” As she took her small bag from the vendor, she lifted it slightly in a salute. “Alright, fashion icon, I’m off to find something greasy and terrible for me. Don’t keep the townspeople waiting too long for your debut.” With a wink, she turned to head off down the street, a cheeky smile on her face as she added over her shoulder, “Remember, the sultry glance is non-negotiable!”

"Touché," Nick grinned back, tilting his head as he conceded the point. He gave the t-shirt in question another long look before shrugging and tossing it over his shoulder and joining her at the checkout table. "Might as well give the people what they want then, yeah?" He spread both of his hands wide at her. "If there's one thing I can do, it's commit to the bit. I may end up tripping over my own feet, but I can make it work somehow," he added with a laugh.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: Okay, now THAT's what I'm talking about, this is why we're friends. PUNS. YES. Daria: oooh maybe something like "let's brew something up together." or "let's live la vida mocha" Daria: *chef's kiss* perfect! Daria: hmm okay now to choose the best photos of myself. also totally think I'm gonna go with bumble. like a hookup isn't awful but like I feel like I hear about tinder usually having more of the creeps so no thank you to that

Liv: I've heard decent things about Bumble at least... Liv: Babe. If you don’t throw a baking pun in there, I’m going to be personally offended. Liv: Something like “Looking for someone to whisk me away” or “I knead a good conversation” Liv: Ooh! Ooh! Or lean into the coffee side of things — “Let’s espresso ourselves” or “I take my relationships like my coffee: strong and slightly chaotic” Liv: You have options, my dear.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: yasss amazing, and that sounds perfect. probably also liv, gabe, lottie.... umm... maybe kurt and dom? personally I'm good for any day because I trust my staff enough to leave them for a day even if it's a day I'd normally be there, they're a good crew, so whatever you come up with just let me know Daria: it's honestly so entertaining I can't help it an i may lowkey crush on vinnie just a lil bit 🙈 Daria: plus it's the seaside heights boardwalk so there's rides and all that other fun stuff ugh man I'm getting so PUMPED just thinking about it!

Lauryn: ooh, you had me at planning! definitely the three of us, for sure, and open invitation to anyone else who would like to join us. i could start working on roughly finding out when would be a good time for everyone? Lauryn: it'd be a lie to say i'm not judging, but i'm doing it in a very loving way, i promise. ❤️ Lauryn: and, to be fair, i'm not totally opposed to the idea! why not?

[dariarutherford]

Daria: well I don't YET but I've been contemplating it Daria: also considered bumble and hinge, so we'll see which platform I actually end up on Daria: hinge just sounds weird Daria: ayy okay okay keep 'em coming! oh think I should throw some cheesy baking or coffee pun in there?

Liv: ...since when do you use Tinder???? Liv: ANYWAY. Liv: Uhhh, I have no idea. I've never used Tinder. 😂 Liv: You're passionate, you're funny, you're a PHENOMENAL baker... Liv: Do those work?

[dariarutherford]

You're funny, Mads. It's not like the whole town goes on vacation at the same time, silly. Unless you're referring to everyone going with Nick on his trip. I'll be here though, I usually plan my vacation closer to August. And even then, I don't go too far, just to one of the beaches only a few hours away. Wildwood, Ocean City, Rehoboth, one of those.

So with all of this talk about vacations & getting out of Ashford Valley...is there actually going to be anyone left here in a few weeks?

[dariarutherford]

Daria arched a brow, her grin widening. “Okay, first of all, if it’s a crop top, then it’s fitting exactly how it’s supposed to.” She paused a moment before adding, “Just enough midriff to keep ogling customers' minds wandering.” She turned back toward him with a hint of mischief in her eye. “And if we are doing the full fashion show—fog machine, neon, the whole nine—you better commit. I want strutting. I want drama. I want at least one spin and a sultry glance over the shoulder. Otherwise, what's the point, even?”

Nick snapped his fingers twice and pointed directly at Daria with obvious delight. "YES. Fog machine. Neon. Appropriate soundtrack to strut down a catwalk to. Give me all of this, I'm here for it," he announced cheerfully. He fluttered his eyelashes and tilted his head in clearly feigned innocence. "I would never presume to make such a thing a dare, but if you don't think you'd scare away half of your customers just because my shirts don't fit properly on your Insta feed, I'm willing to take one for the team. For the greater good," Nick added with laugh.

[dariarutherford]

Daria: It's finally beach weather! When are we planning a day trip? You, me, Mercedes, anyone else that wants to come? Daria: also is it bad I lowkey wanna hit Seaside Hieghts just to tour the shore house if it's open? GTL! GYM. TAN. LAUNDRY. Daria: don't judge me.

Lauryn: GIRL! don’t make me wait, what are we ‘girling’ about?!

[dariarutherford]

text 📱 olivia

Daria: soooo, in your opinion, what are some of my best qualities? i need help writing my tinder bio

[dariarutherford]

text 📱 lauryn

Daria: GIRL.

[dariarutherford]

Daria let out a low whistle, clearly amused as she looked him over once. “Full fashion show, huh? Should I start coordinating lighting, snacks? Maybe get a fog machine involved?” She tapped her chin like she was seriously considering it. “Honestly, I think the Valley’s ready. Just barely, though…” At his last comment, she narrowed her eyes and stepped a fraction closer, the corner of her lips curling up into a playful smirk. “See, that right there sounds like a dare. And you should know that I don’t back down from a dare.” She started toward the little checkout table, then threw him a glance over her shoulder. “Careful, Nick. You walk around here with eyebrows like that and crop top potential, and the cafe’s summer promo post is gonna end up featuring a thirst trap starring you.”

"Listen, we gotta give the people what they want," Nick announced loftily, holding his own shirt up against his torso with a dangerously quirked eyebrow. "I'm thinking full fashion show, those can be looks one and two for you -- really keep the people guessing." He met her smirk with one of his own, tilting his head with a look that was far too innocent to be entirely safe and one hand dramatically pressed to his chest. "Gasp. Daria. You think I need a warning label? Don't tell me that, now I actually want to know what's going to come out of your mouth. Promise not to hold it against you," he added with a wink.

[dariarutherford]

Daria narrowed her eyes at the shirt he held up, clearly trying, and failing, not to grin. “Okay, honestly? You probably could pull that off. Crop top, full sass, maybe a catwalk pose for good measure.” She glanced between the shirts again, then gave a soft, dramatic sigh as she slung both of hers over her arm. “Guess I’m committing to the duality. Sweet and sunshine one day, disaster in neon the next. Keeps life spicy.” Her eyes flicked back to Nick, a slow smirk appearing on her face. “But if you do show up in that shirt cropped, just know I’m gonna need a warning. Or like... five minutes to emotionally prepare. Otherwise I can’t be held responsible for what comes out of my mouth — or what ends up posted to the cafe’s Instagram.”

Nick looked up and grinned brightly as he registered Daria and the shirts she was holding, his gaze sweeping over them both critically. He struck a thoughtful pose, fingers gripping his chin and eyebrows furrowed. "Can't you do both?" he suggested. "I mean, let's face it, D, you contain multitudes." Nick leaned sideways and flipped through the shirts until he found one in a cheerful teal emblazoned with the phrase 'Maybe coffee is addicted to ME' and held it up beside the other two with a flourish. "Honestly this might be the vibe, though. Think I could pull it off as a crop top?"

[dariarutherford]

Daria had to hold back a cackle at Dom's words, shaking her head. "Damn, am I doing that good of a job at making it look like I've got it all together?" She grinned, clear that she was joking, though she didn't think she was necessarily as sweet and well-adjust as he was making it sound. She nodded at his choice, holding it up to look it over again as he continued to speak. She scrunched her lips to the side, head tilted as she lifted the second shirt that she was also holding, contemplating it. Her face relaxed only a little, as the corner of her mouth turned up into a smirk as she looked back at Dom, raising an eyebrow at him. "Stingy? Me? Nah, I'ma treat myself to a couple of shirts today," she said with a grin, giving him a slight nudge with her elbow. "What about you? Where's your man candy?"

Dom couldn't help shooting the woman a look. "Pretend?" he echoed in disbelief. "Please, says one of the sweetest, well-adjusted people I know. There's no 'pretending' about it." He took a moment to glance over the two shirts, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "That being said..." he trailed off. "Definitely like this one better," he decided, tapping the neon yellow, hot pink, lime, and blue one. "You know me. I'm a bold guy and I may not be as addicted to the stuff as you, but this one's definitely more to my taste." Then, after a pause, he added. "Why not grab both though if you're not trying to be too stingy? Then you got one for whatever mood you're in that day."

[dariarutherford]

Daria had been working at her booth most of the morning, which was right out in front of her café itself. And though she always gave her employees the option to have the day off themselves, there were a few who were insisting that she follow her own advice and to "treat herself" to the festivities. Making her way along the street, she saw a booth with some artsy, hand-crafted items and stopped to take a look. She sifted through a rack of tie-dyed shirts, pausing between two. One was a simple combination of peach and lavender with the words “be kind, drink coffee, repeat", the other was a very loud and very bold in neon yellow, hot pink, lime, and blue and it read, “Too much coffee, not enough filter.” She held them up side by side, then glanced toward someone browsing nearby. “So,” she said, tilting her head with a teasing smile, “should I pretend I’m sweet and well-adjusted, or just go ahead and warn people?”

[dariarutherford]

Of course, of course. I'm kind of busy with prepping for Founders Day and making sure I'll have enough goodies stocked for my booth and at the cafe, but stop in anytime and we can sit and chat. Can't wait to hear why you left New York to come back here... again. I mean, I love this small town, but you don't necessarily strike me as a rural kinda gal.

Please, it was only a matter of time before I needed my excessive doses of caffeine but we definitely need a catch up date, please & thank you. Work stuff in New York, nothing too thrilling. & of course, you see right through me.

[dariarutherford]

Yeah, it's not a thing, I made it up. I was just trying to joke about you needing to stop in for some coffee or something. Kudos on the unpacking a la solo, though! Where'd you go, by the way? What's brought you back? My irresistible lattes and baked goods?

Oh yeah? I've never heard that one before, but you obviously know more than I do when it comes to this type of thing, so I'll take your word for it. Positive, just took the last of the empty boxes out to the curb & everything. By myself, even.

[dariarutherford]

I've heard you're never truly back in a small town until you've stopped in one of the local small businesses and I haven't seen your face in Java Jams yet. You sure you're really back?

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. & yes, the rumors are true. I have decided to grace Ashford Valley with my presence once again. You're all welcome.