"Only a true friend would be that truly honest."

~Shrek

~~~~~~~

Kelsey sat at the kitchen counter, skimming through the daily news on her phone. The sun was just beginning to fill the house with a bluish glow that lit up the two large windows in the living room.

Kelsey put down her phone and stood near the curtains, watching as the neighbor's water sprinklers turned on.

"Morning!" Sandy sang, her voice making Kelsey jump.

She turned halfway around and saw Sandy in a flowing light blue bathrobe, her hair perfectly curled and her face a perfect mask of makeup.

Kelsey tried desperately to stifle the resentment that flared up inside. She was drunk that night. Everyone said things they'd regret. But Kelsey wondered if Sandy regretted anything.

"I can't believe I didn't get to see you yesterday," Sandy said, pouring herself a large cup of coffee in a turquoise mug that had "I woke up like this" printed in swirling script across it. Kelsey couldn't help but notice the irony.

"Uh, yeah, I was pretty busy," Kelsey said quietly.

"Soooo," she said, scooting closer to Kelsey, "tell me more about Ethan Glenn. I can't believe my friend was on a date with a movie star! Was the paparazzi everywhere? Did he pick you up in a limo? Did you get to meet anyone else famous?"

Kelsey took in a breath. It was too early for this conversation. But she smiled anyway...this was the Sandy she knew. "First of all, it wasn't a date. We're just friends."

"Then make it not friends!" Sandy cried. "You have the opportunity to date a movie star! If I were you, I'd snap him up while you've got the chance."

Kelsey shook her head and laughed. "I'm not for all the cameras and lights."

"Come on."

"It's bad for my complexion," Kelsey wagered.

Sandy giggled before settling into silence as they both watched the bright orange sun peak over the roof across the street. "Ah, you've never been one for the spotlight, anyway," she shrugged, taking a sip from her mug. "I wish I could be more like you—content."

"A quiet life," Kelsey said, repeating Sandy's words from the other night.

"Yeah!" Sandy agreed. "A nice, happy little life. Me? I'm too restless. I need adventure."

Kelsey offered a smile. Did she even recall their conversation at all?

She had to get rid of these negative thoughts somehow.

She had a lot to do to get ready for the catering job, but she figured that making her and Sandy's relationship smoother was more important.

Kelsey took Sandy's hand and said, "Why don't you and I have a girl's day? I'm off work, if you want to."

Sandy bit her lip, thinking for a moment. "Well, I have to be back here by three to film a tutorial video—how to DIY a vintage coaster—so how about lunch?"

Kelsey nodded. "Sounds good."

~~~~~

It was easy to feel useless around Sandy's insane busyness. She was here, there, and everywhere in about five seconds.

Kelsey sat on the couch, trying to read a book, but got distracted as she watched Sandy miraculously build a beautiful setup, just to take some photos of a product she was reviewing.

Once twelve o'clock rolled around, Kelsey got up to get dressed.

She took her time getting ready, and still had to wait an hour for Sandy.

Finally, they were on the road, heading for some fancy restaurant in the heart of L.A.

"Alex and I go here all the time!" Sandy explained as they waited at a red light. "That's where I've seen all the stars wining and dining, though you're probably used to the famous crowd by now," she tittered.

It was difficult finding a place to park, but thankfully the restaurant wasn't too crowded, since it was nearly two o'clock.

It was exactly what Kelsey had imagined an L.A. eatery would be. Dim lights, sleek white tables and chairs, abstract art on the walls, and loud music made it all seem more like a club than a restaurant.

The food was interesting. Sandy insisted on ordering for Kelsey, and she was served a large plate that displayed a tiny dish of salmon that probably weighed two ounces, with a teaspoon of goat cheese and some strange vinaigrette squirted across the plate.

Kelsey was all for quality over quantity, but in her opinion, the food didn't have much "quality" at all.

"So, uh, I never got to apologize for the other night with the dog," Kelsey said.

"It's okay," Sandy replied cheerily. "The new cushion should be coming in tomorrow night. And I guess I should apologize for those things I said."

Kelsey's brow bent. So she did remember. "Oh, uh..."

"My head was a little cloudy," she laughed. "But I didn't mean it. You know that, right?"

Kelsey licked her lips and put on a smile. "Of course."

She took a few bites of the fishy salmon and said, "I never got to ask about your trip. Did Alex buy the property?"

Sandy shrugged one shoulder, her face becoming more plastic. "Turns out he wasn't too interested in the vineyard to begin with."

Kelsey lifted an eyebrow. "The realtor?"

Sandy looked down at her plate. "Yeah. We got into an argument, but it's fine now. Really."

"Sandy," Kelsey whispered, and placed her napkin back on her lap, choosing her next words carefully, "you're too good for him. I know it's hard to leave someone you've been with for four years, but he treats you like dirt. Like you don't matter. Find someone you can feel at home with, someone who wipes away your tears instead of creating them. Someone who supports the things you do, who encourages you to be better." Her cheeks warmed when Ethan entered her mind, but she cleared her throat and continued. "You can't settle for a guy that's the opposite."

Sandy's lips formed a thin line. "You don't understand. I love him and he loves me. He's rough around the edges, but we're good together."

"Sandy—"

"Just stop," she snapped, and Kelsey got a glimpse of the woman she remembered from the other night. "What would you know about this kind of thing, anyway?"

Kelsey opened her mouth, then closed it. She promptly became very absorbed in her skimpy salmon and goat cheese meal.

"Sorry, I'm a little uptight lately," Sandy sighed.

Kelsey gave a forced smile. "No, it's fine." My parents are heading for divorce. What could I possibly know about love, anyway? She added silently.

"It's already two-fifty! I need to get back!" Sandy cried, scrambling for her purse.

~~~~~~

It was almost midnight, and Kelsey was watching the oven so closely, she had to keep reminding herself to blink.

Not this time, not this time.

Ethan sat on the counter, an unamused expression on his face. He'd been waiting around for almost two hours, watching her cook and stress over every detail. "You know it won't make them cook faster if you just sit there."

"Shut up," Kelsey whispered. "I think this is my lucky batch."

The kitchen was filled with silence once again—something Ethan struggled with, apparently.

She'd prepared a small dish of each thing on Chef Romano's list. All of them were done and ready to be tasted, except for the cheese puffs.

"It feels like ten minutes has been going on for ten hours," he sighed. "Can't we just try everything, and then the cheese puffs?"

"Ethan, patience."

"For what?! You have a timer set!"

"Like I have the last fifty thousand times," Kelsey explained.

She couldn't tell if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she saw the puffs transform into the perfect golden brown. "I think they're done!"

"Hallelujah!"

She quickly opened the oven and pulled out the tray.

Ethan came over and they both stared at the dome-shaped puffs as if they were dangerous, caged animals.

"They look good," Ethan whispered, "right?"

Kelsey nodded slowly. "Yeah."

She pulled one off the tray and split it in two, the cheese burning her fingers. So far, so good.

She handed the other half to Ethan, and they popped it in their mouths together.

Kelsey's eyes widened with joy. "It's perfect!" She cried through a mouthful of cheese.

"Amazing!"

Without thinking, she flung her arms around Ethan and said, "I've never been so happy, I think I'm gonna cry."

Ethan swung her around, nearly as excited as she was.

Kelsey backed away, blushing furiously, clutching her hands together. "I can't believe it!"

Ethan gave her one of those grins that, when it settled on her, filled her with warmth. "I knew you could do it." He backed away and surveyed the rest of the food. "So we can try everything else now, right?"

They took two forks and tried the caprese salad, adobo (which turned out to be a chicken dish), steak, potatoes, and lemon meringue pie.

By the time they'd tasted everything, they were leaning against the counter, grumbling about how full they were.

"I feel like there's finally a ray of hope amongst the darkness," Kelsey sighed.

"Who's party is it?' Ethan asked, still nibbling on the lemon meringue pie.

Kelsey bit the inside of her cheek. She should just tell him. It wasn't like Becca Lynn knew who she was, anyway.

But, for lack of confidence or embarrassment, she didn't.

"I don't know, just some fancy party." She immediately regretted her lie. What if he showed up? Becca was his close friend, there was a good chance he'd be there.

"So...do you have any plans on Saturday?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm flying to Illinois again tomorrow night and won't be back until Monday."

Kelsey hid a sigh of relief, but then realized—"Is your mom okay?"

Ethan looked confused for half a second, then laughed. "Yeah, yeah. She's getting stronger, actually. My sister's graduating college. We think Mom might even be able to attend."

"Oh good," Kelsey said. "Well, you'll be missing out on some good food."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello everyone! Sandy's showing a few true colors, but Kelsey defeated the cheese puff!

~What are your thoughts on Sandy and Kelsey's friendship?

~How do you feel about the upcoming party?

~What'd you think of chapter?

 Thank you for reading! {Don't forget to comment, vote, and share!}