The Outer Banks was beautiful. Two tribes on one island. Kooks vs Pogues.

You’re hometown was also beautiful: San Gimignano, Italy.

Unfortunately, due to your mother’s side of the family being American, and your fathers being Italian, you travelled back and forth a lot.

And you were practically born bilingual. You spoke both Italian and English fluently.

For the Christmas holidays this year, you came to the Outer Banks to meet your mother’s family who owned a very large section of land on Figure Eight.

You landed and got settled into the guest bedroom in your grandparents estate and while your grandparents mostly hung out at the estate or went golfing, you decided to explore the land some.

You walked around Figure Eight, and even the Cut. You weren’t one for judging people.

You went to Kildare and swung by the Pelican Yacht Club for some lunch.

A place Rafe also just so happened to be. No, you didn’t know each other.

He was actually there with his Pogue girlfriend, Sofia, who was working as a bartender.

For hating the Pogues, he sure loved that one.

You walked up to the bar and looked at the menu’s, squinting to read the signs. You looked back at Sofia who stood very beautifully, waiting to take your order.

“Do you have any recommendations? I’m not sure what most of that is.” You asked sweetly, earning a little smile and a soft laugh from Sofia.

She looked at you for a minute before looking at Rafe and then back to you. “No, I just work here, I don’t eat here. He knows better than I do. Rafe.. Any recommendations?” Sofia asked Rafe who looked at you then at the menu and took a sip of his whiskey before speaking.

“I don’t know. You look like you’d enjoy sushi maybe. Try the California rolls. I like ‘em.” Rafe shrugged simply and took another swig from his glass. You looked back at Sofia and nodded and she returned it with a little laugh and smile.

Rafe turned back to you, his demeanor friendly, not flirtatious. “You’ve got an accent. Where are you from?”