Chapter 2

He looked at me like I was crazy and in his eyes I didn't find even an ounce of recognition. Andy Malcolm. My best friend from high school and my first and only crush was staring back at me with his chocolate brown eyes. He was still as gorgeous as I remembered him.

He had dirty blond hair that was long enough to tangle fingers in them and it was always a little ruffled, full lips, and those perfect eyes.

But now he was all grown up. I could see his muscles through his t-shirt and some sort of tribal tattoo on his shoulder. When we finished high school, he went to Europe with his brother to look into his future. We lost contact shortly after. He was busy finding himself. I was already running my own bar, so I haven't heard a word from him in almost 4 years. And now he was here, in Los Angeles, in my bar, right in front of me, and he didn't even recognize me.

"I think I already told you what I am doing here. I'm looking for Violet. She is still the owner, right?"

I could see his uncertainty in his eyes and then it hit me. I wasn't wearing glasses any more, I had a lot shorter hair than when he last saw me and I was wearing make-up. Which in high school I never bothered to use. So, instead of being a good friend, I leaned over the counter and looked him in the eyes.

"You know, you are in a bar, so maybe you should order a drink first before asking questions."

"Right. Sorry. A beer would be great, thank you. "

I smiled sweetly at him and turned around to get him his drink. When I came back, I saw him taking me in from head to toe.

"I swear, there is something familiar about you, but I just can't put a finger on it. Have we met before?" he said with obvious confusion in his eyes.

I grinned at him, outstretched my arm and finally said, "Violet McCathy at your service this evening. Now how can I help you, Mr. Malcolm?"

When he heard my name he almost chocked on his first sip of beer and I burst out laughing. When he finally caught his breath he looked shocked and surprised.

"Hey, come on, I don't look so awful." I teased.

"Vi, is that really you? Oh my God I can't believe how much you have changed!" He stood up from his chair and came around the corner. He grabbed my shoulder and ran his eyes over my body once again.

Then his face broke in with a perfect smile that made his eyes shine. Next thing I knew, he threw his arms around my waist and lifted me off the ground. I couldn't help but squeal and then started laughing.

"Put me down, you crazy giant! When did you grow so much? You are huge! And, oh my God Andy, you have muscles!"

No sooner than the words left my mouth, he started laughing.

"C'mon Vivi, I am not that huge!" He laughed. "You are just even thinner than I remember. God! I've missed you! How are you doing? And if you could explain to me what did you do with your hair? They are short! And what color is this actually? Blond, orange, red?"

At the use of my nickname, which only he used, my heart melted because he still remembered the nickname he gave me.

"What? Don't you like it? I call it peach color! And just so you know. I love it. "

"Hey, Vivi, don't be mad, I didn't say I didn't like it. It really suits your personality. Fierce and devilish. You look gorgeous really."

I could feel the blush spreading across my face.

He took a step back to better look at me and started laughing. "Oh sweetheart, look at you. Still shy as always. Now you look much more like your old self."

At his words, I only blushed more and he laughed even harder. In an attempt to force my mind away from the fact that he used the word sweetheart- the word only him and my dad once used- I asked him, "Now really, what are you doing here? When did you come back from Europe? And how long will you stay?"

"I came back a few hours ago. My grandpa left me his house so I just stopped there to change into something more comfortable and drove here to see you. It's really been a long time since I last saw you. As for how long I will be staying, I think I will move back permanently. Europe is great and all, but there is no Vivi in Europe, so my decision really wasn't that tough." Then he looked me in the eye with mischief in his and winked at me.

I could feel my jaw drop all the way to the floor at his words. He came back because of me? My mind started to work over time and nothing made sense anymore. Why the hell would he come back because of me? He didn't write, didn't call…nothing in almost four years. And now he is here claiming to come back because of me?

"So you came back just because you missed your friends?" I couldn't stop my words even if I wanted to. They just flew out of my mouth there of their own will. He once again looked really puzzled, as if he was trying to figure out what I was saying. Well good, that makes two of us.

"How long do you have to fork today?" he asked after a few minutes of uncomfortable silence. And now I was really starting to question my sanity because this conversation made no sense. But either way, if I am so crazy that I start hallucinating my best friend, so be it, nothing I can do about it.

"Till eight, that's another 15 minutes, then I am free for tonight since Kensi has already cleaned everything, and Kaya is working from home today. Why?"

"I want to take you out to dinner. Catch up on your life and town gossip if that's OK with you?"

I could see he was nervous because he was dragging his hands through his hair. What I couldn't understand was why he was nervous? As if I could ever say no to anything he asked me for.

"Sure thing. It would be nice to hear about your adventures in Europe, but I think our life here is plain boring. You know the same story, so there won't be much to tell on my part. But it is so good to have you back, so that means skipping dinner is not an option. So just finish your drink, and I will finish things that need to be done then we can go." I looked over my shoulder to where he was sitting, only to see his grin spread even wider. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of his grinning face.

After half an hour, my work was done. The bar was clean and customers left, so it was time to lock for the day. After we stepped on the street he said we could walk to our favourite high school restaurant from high school. Since I didn't eat lunch, I was looking forward to dinner even more.

The restaurant was actually almost around the corner, so it didn't take us a long time to reach our destination. Once we were seated, he looked at me with adoration and something I could not quite put a finger on. If I didn't know better, I would think it was love. But for so many years we were just friends, and not once did he give a sign that he saw me as anything more. When my dad died, he and Kensi were my rock. They were the ones who gave me the power to get up every day and fight my life with everything I have. At the funeral, I remember Andy holding me close all the time to prevent my weak legs from letting me fall to the ground. If it wasn't my dad who was in that urn, I would actually have enjoyed his embrace, but due to circumstances, it was just another reminder of many good friends I had in my life. Andy and Kensi didn't leave my side for almost a week, just to make sure not just about my state but also my family. I could never repay them for all they did for me and how much they had helped me to rebuild my life and bring back my optimism. But not once did Andy give the impression that I was more to him than just his best friend. Maybe you were just blind, said a voice in my head. But even if I was blind to signs, nothing could happen between us. I could not allow myself to love someone only to lose them in the end.

"I am sorry about your grandpa. My mother told me he had a heart attack. I couldn't come to the funeral because that week we were out of town with Kaya and Kensi on some seminars. And when we returned, your mother told me you had already left for the airport."

"Don't worry. Even so, it was a bigger ceremony than I would have expected. But he sure would be happy if you would come. He always loved you. I remember in high school he always asked when I would finally have the courage to ask you out, and he never forgave me for not taking you to the prom."

Together with love for his grandpa, I could also hear regret in his voice. As if on cue, a waiter came by our table to take our drink order. Before I could say anything, Andy ordered beer for him and a agwa sprite for me. I was just staring back at him with wide eyes. How can it be possible he still remembers?

"It's still your favorite, right? Or was there something else you wanted to drink? It's just , I know it's the only place where they have agwa sprite and you always choose it."

I smiled at him warmly and was really surprised at the realization that he was uncomfortable because he ordered for me.

"Stop worrying so much about everything. It is still my favourite drink and, unfortunately, yes, this place is still the only one that serves agwa sprite. I was thinking we could order the same as always and you can tell me all about Europe. If it's OK with you?" I smiled at him shyly and he responded with a smile.

"Fish and chips it is then. So what do you want to know about Europe? Most definitely about the girl I suppose?" He laughed at my stunned expression and for the next few hours we talked about his time in Europe, about his grandfather, my mother. I also told him about my bar, Kaya and Kensi. He told me his brother stayed in Europe where they opened their own company that specializes in developing computer games and how they also started developing games for smart phones and they wanted to open a company here in Los Angeles.

We didn't even realize how much time passed by when the waiter came by to ask us if we wanted another drink before they finished for the day. Andy looked at me and when I shook my head no he said to the waiter to only just take the check. After a few minutes of arguing, I gave up on trying to pay the check. We walked back to our cars in silence and when we reached our car, I turned to him, only to find him staring at me.

"Well, here we are. Thank you for your company and dinner. Don't be a stranger now that you are back, OK?"

He was still staring at me and after a few awkward moments of silence, I turned to unlock my car. Then he placed his hand on my arm to stop me and asked the one thing I had been avoiding all evening. "How are you dealing with all the stuff with your dad? Do you still have nightmares? Hear voices? Did you find someone to help you, someone to talk to?"