The funny part about the past was it had this ability to come back up in the strangest of ways. It pokes out of your memories either before you fall asleep, in your dreams, from an object you're looking at again for what feels like the first time or from something as simple as a sound or smell. This time, it came from a simple text on his phone.

From - { Pixie Lexi } : Are you coming to the bar and celebrating its second birthday or nah?

From - { Pixie Lexi } : Seriously, I'm telling you right now. If you don't come I'd probably be heartbroken. Best friends are SUPPOSE to come to big events like this!

From - { Pixie Lexi } : I'm expecting big things from you. Don't fuck it up.

From - { Pixie Lexi } : BREEEEEEEEEEEEZY ANSWER ME. Did you oversleep?! Don't make me be your alarm clock again. I will dump ice water on you. We know what happened from there.

Oh, right. He should have answered her by now. He just got so lost from the memory, almost two years ago, where the two of them became best friends. Since the day he moved into town, it's been the two of them together in this city. They've done everything they could together, making their businesses grow and gather their followings, making sure each other's customers knew the other person. Hey, when you both start out small, it's good to bounce one customer over to another. Builds you both up, and you get the customer's friends and family later too.

To – { Pixie Lexi } : I didn't oversleep, relax!

To – { Pixie Lexi } : And you KNOW I'm gonna be there! Wouldn't want to be anywhere else tonight!

To – { Pixie Lexi } : Let me check on what all I have to do today, and I might even be able to come and see you early, okay?

From – { Pixie Lexi } : Cool! Let me know, I'll be around, okay? Love ya!

It was always reading those last two words from her that made him smile. Alexa always ended her text conversations with him with that. They've been best friends and each other's rocks since he saw her that one afternoon at her bar. That evening, they had spent the entire day and night together, to the point that he stayed with her up until closing. It gave him a chance to meet a few of her friends and some of the regulars then, which was nice. But his biggest interest was just learning more about her. If he had to be honest, he was wrapped around her finger. He had a feeling she secretly knew that too.

Then again, he had her wrapped around his in exchange. That much was mutual without a single doubt. Mess with one, you mess with the other, and they always had the other one's back without even a question.

To – { Pixie Lexi } : Will do, Pixie. Love ya too!

With that, he took another look around his office. Large windows all behind him to let in the natural light, a large Cherrywood desk supporting his computer screens, a cup of half-full coffee, and some paperwork he had been attending to. On his right and left sides, there were filing cabinets and shelves of books. The floor was a hardwood to match the desk. Large black rolling office chair for him, two different black chairs in front of his desk for visitors. Also on his walls were diplomas, a family photo, awards and achievements for the company and a few photos of grand openings of other stores and departments around the nation. As long as he played his cards correctly, he would be going international within a year or two. Not something you hear too often too early on in business.

Just from the many e-mails and small stack of ten and more papers on his desk, he knew it was going to be a little bit busy for him. He had designs from rising designers in his company to approve, designs of his own he had to finalize within the next few days, and a line to get out for the runway next month. On top of that, he had a business meeting with a large entertainment company to talk about doing designs for the actors in the shows and movies they were producing, as well as some outfits for both the new coming nightclub as well as everyone's town favorite Northside Venue. It's been in town longer than he has, and the owner happens to be why there's even a town to be in anymore. At least, a town where crime, drugs, and such seems to have diminished and given the place a facelift. Was it perfect? By no means. But hey, at least it looks prettier. Can get away with a lot more if where you live at least looks nicer.

He takes a deep breath and runs a hand through is loose blond hair. With that, he then gathers up the locks and pulls it into a small pony tail. This work wasn't going to magically finish itself, as much as he kind of wanted it to. And if he wanted to be sure he could meet up with his favorite little bar owner, he had to get it done.

"Leaving for the day, Mr. Breeze?" the kind female secretary asks him with a sweet smile. Tyler nods and smiles back to her.

"Yes, Miranda. And what have I said about calling me that? You don't have to, you know. You're two years younger than me," he teases her as he slips on a pair of sunglasses. She laughs and shakes her head.

"I know. But that doesn't change the respect I have for you. So, as far as I'm concerned, you are Mr. Breeze to me on duty."

"Doesn't count if I'm leaving for the day, does it?"

At that, she had to laugh and brush a lock of her brunette hair behind her ear. A twinkle came to her brown eyes and she shakes her head.

"I suppose if you don't think it does, then where do I get off in arguing?" she asks him with a grin. "Have a good night, Tyler."

"You as well, Miranda. Make sure Annabeth has help with closing the store portion and count, she was left all alone last night and it made me sick this morning to hear. No employee should ever be left alone at late hours to do all of that. And I never want to hear about this ever taking place again."

"Of course. I'll be sure to take care of it, no problem."

"Thank you. I'd prefer at least three or four people around. And if it ends up no one else can be here, call me. I'd rather come here late on my own time to help close than to have any of my workers risk their own safety alone."

He nods to her once more and then headed down the steps to the store. From there, he could see firsthand all the work that was being done. It was good to see and feel the environment of his store. It gave him a chance to be sure things were being run the way he wanted to, that there were no shortcuts being taken and that it is done seriously.

It was already starting to get busy at Twisted Spite which made Tyler smile. It always made him smile to see Alexa doing well with her bar. She deserved it… Hell, she deserved the world in his mind. It was good to see her be successful. He slips out of his car, locking it up before heading inside. As expected, Lexi made sure his favorite spot at the bar was open. It was the same seat he always sat in since the first day. Corny, yes. But it didn't feel the same unless he was able to be right in the spot where he knew he could watch her, talk to her and just be close. The bar was the best place to be because it was her area. Yes, there was one other bar tender who worked the bar with her on busy nights, Paige, but she was the main ring leader for the bar. She had the most training as a bar tender and it was her favorite spot to be. Now, as the owner, she could be in the back doing paper work, sure but she's always talked about it being such a drag staying in the back.

"Who the hell just wants to stay in the back and out of the action the whole day? Uh, fucking kill me. It's way too boring for me. I'm too active for that. If there's stuff to be done, you bet your ass I'm right in the middle of it all. I thrive off the energy, you know?" she had told him two years ago. "I got the morning of and that night to do the paper work. But I'm most needed up front. As a leader and owner, it's my job to make sure everything is working like clockwork. How am I gonna make sure of that if I'm stuck in the back? How can I help and lead from a whole separate room? Fuck that noise.

She was so strong in her beliefs and she impressed him every day. She didn't think herself better than any of her employees, as she could be seen helping in the kitchen if it got backed up, running around as a waitress and server when needed, and always at the bar to help with drinks. She was the jack of all trades in her bar.

Lucky for him, tonight she was at the bar. And if he was even more lucky, it's where she would stay.

Alexa didn't seem to be busy right then, passing a customer their drink with a smile. He took his seat, and immediately was greeted with a different smile. A genuine 'I'm-so-glad-you're-fucking-here!' smile that made him just feel like his own existence was enough to please her. It was so shocking to have someone make you feel that way, consistently. But she did it every time.

"Ty! About time you got out of the office and into the party!" she cheers. "Sangria?"

"Actually, I'll take a mojito in your honor, Miss Bliss," he replies, knowing it was one of her personal favorites. That and it seemed to be a pretty big hit with many guests at Twisted Spite.

"One mojito to my favorite blond workaholic," she agrees with a wink as she started up on his drink. God, sometimes he would order more complicated drinks just to watch her work. Alexa had a beautiful talent in making drinks, turning it into an art he never thought he would think twice about observing. He's watched this same petite blond make perfect rainbow shots during a gay pride parade event over a hundred times. And honestly? It never got old watching her pour the shots and hear everyone cheer. It always left him tilting his head in amazement to see her pour each shot and get each crisp color with what looked like little effort. Yeah, he would have somehow managed to spill it on himself, on the counter, or get muggy clouded colors and a bright red. That's about where his skill level went with rainbow shots.

"Better a workaholic than alcoholic for me, Pixie," he shoots back at her, earning a snicker.

"Now if only you were one. Know how much money I'd be getting off you now?" she laughs before smirking and handing him his drink.

"Hey, I come by almost every day. Don't you put that evil on me," he scoffs before taking a sip of the drink.

"And I applaud you for that. You've been here almost two years and you haven't gotten sick of me, that is quite the accomplishment, good sir. Want a gold star?"

"What the hell is with you and gold stars?"

She shrugs at that. "They sparkle in the light? Fuck if I know."

He laughs, watching as she moved on to another customer to talk to and serve for the moment.

That was something else about her. Stress seemed to roll off her shoulders as she worked. Extremely fast paced situation where it seems like half the group hates you for taking too long and you still have to smile and serve like it's normal? Not a problem for her. Someone didn't show up for work? Well, keep in your mind the person and take their place. Possibly fire them depending on if it was a second offense or not, or if they had a good reason. People are already at one waitress's or waiter's throat? Slide on in, defuse the situation and handle it accordingly, of course. She was made for the job. She rolls with the punches and handles it all in strides and with grace.

The party was only getting started, that much was obvious. Alexa had turned up the music, doing a few party games with the crowd, and pulling Tyler into the mix at all times. There was no instance where Tyler was alone tonight, it seemed. According to her, this was not the night to come for seclusion and isolation. It was a celebration and everyone was expected to have a good time, and she would make sure of it.

In the swirl of the dancing and partying, he happened to look and notice something. Lexi being ever so close to another guy, the two dancing and pressed into each other. By the way her eyes moved up to meet the guy's face, the way she was now wrapping her arms around his neck, his hands on her hips. It sent a kind of spark and flame through the fashion designer, making him bite his tongue. Why did it matter? She wasn't his to begin with. He was her best friend. Why did it make him mad to see her close to other people?

They seemed to always hurt her. God, he was so protective her at this point. Any chance of someone hurting her made him immediately want to jump in and hug her tight to his chest and threaten the perpetrator. He hated to see her cry. He hated to listen to the pain she endured because of men using, abusing her and then throwing her away. That's why he hated seeing her with other people like this. It set her up for pain, and it was up to him to make sure she didn't completely shatter. He couldn't keep her from falling for people, but he could always be in her corner ready to help.

He went back towards his seat, taking a sip of his drink and sighing. They seemed to be getting rather acquainted with each other, exploring hands and experimental kisses to give it away. Now it was just a matter of knowing if this was a fling or a possible continuation. Guess he'd find out in the next day or so.

Tyler felt his phone buzz. Who could that be at this god awful hour? For a moment, the blond prayed it wasn't Miranda or another employee saying they were stuck closing alone again. He would feel awful if that were the case.

From { Toni } : Tyler?

His heart stops for a second the minute he sees the name on his screen. Oh God… Antonio? What did he need? Why was he texting? He promised…

To { Toni } : Antonio? What's going on?

It already felt like an hour, and he had just sent that text. Tyler takes a few deep breaths, hoping for a good reason as to why he was texting him. But he could go ahead and guess it wasn't for anything pleasant. It never was. There wasn't such a thing as a text to check in on him, make sure he was okay. If he was texting him… it had to mean there was a problem.

From { Toni } : We need to talk. Not over text. And preferably not in a call. I'm coming in a few days. It's about your father.