"What's going on with him anyway?" Nicole questioned curiously.

I chewed on my lip, "Honestly? I don't even know. When you and I weren't speaking, we ran into each other at Nipsy's and he sat with me and I vented a little about you and Mike. He gave me some sound advice and then he left. Later that day, my dad asked me to bring him Panera, and we were there talking. That's the day of his picture on our blog. And then later on, he was at dinner at my parent's house with my dad's friend. We made a truce. And I don't know Nic, he's just been there as a friend. And it's been nice."

She continued to look at me, thinking about what I just said. "You think you'd ever go for him again?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. There's still a part of me that knows him well enough to know that he can be a piece of shit. Right now, he's just being, I don't know-- like old Steven."

"To be fair, he became a piece of shit when you guys broke up. What annoyed you when you were together was how egotistical he was. Remember when he brought you to that State dinner and your dad was there but not around you guys, and he was surrounded by his friends and they treated you weird because you're a buyer?"

I nodded, recalling that moment all too well. "And he couldn't even be proud of me, you know? That's what sucked. I was so proud of him for finishing school and getting into my dad's firm; and not getting in because he was dating me."

"Can I state the obvious?" She chewed on a sour gummy bear, waiting for my nod of approval. "I found him outside your door today. He looked worried about not hearing from you. Which, I'm sure you know already that those donuts were from him. But, remember a few months ago, before you met Mike, you and I went to your dad's firm to get something signed or whatever for the insurance because you got into that accident?" I nodded again. "Well, while you were talking to your dad, and I was out sitting by his desk, he had asked me if you were okay. I remember asking why he cared. And he said, and I quote, "Nicole, my ex-girlfriend of three years got into a bad car accident. I'm always gonna care about Bonnie." And then when you walked back out, he started acting tough shit again. Bon, that guy is going to love you forever and ever whether you or him like it or not."

I grabbed a red sour gummy bear and tossed it in my mouth, chewing it slowly. "I know. You're not the first person that's told me that. My mom told me the other day. I don't know. It's Steven." I made a face.

Nicole smiled a little, "Exactly. It's Steven."

---

A week or so later, I was roaming around the record store of my choosing. It was Wednesday and I had given myself the week off; I feel like I needed it and also, it was the week of Christmas. I was flipping through records that caught my interest and imagined my vinyl collection growing immensely just being here.

"Bonnie?" A voice came from the other side of the record store, catching my attention. I turned to face Jaime and Vic, who I hadn't seen or talked to since Mike and I broke up last week.
I smiled softly, "Hey guys." They walked over to me and gave me warm hugs, both wearing beanies and zippered jackets.

"How are you doing? I feel like it's been a million years." Vic asked with a smile.

"I'm doing good. Just browsing." I held up the records in my hand and asked the same question to them. "What are you guys doing in LA?"

They both held up records also, "Last minute Christmas shopping. I figured you can't go wrong with records, you know?" Jaime answered with a silly grin plastered on his face, causing his dimples to come out and play.

I giggled, "You're absolutely right. And this is also a good gift for yourself."

They both laughed and an awkward silence fell amongst us once Vic got a phone call. He answered, "Oh hey, Mike..." Then walked away once he made eye contact with me.

"Are you guys done with tour?" I asked Jaime quietly.

He nodded, "Yeah. For now. We got another one coming up in like three or four weeks, I can't remember."

Vic walked back and then nudged Jaime, "We should head out. We have that thing."

Jaime nodded furiously, "Oh yeah, yeah. I forgot about that, yeah." They both looked at me with smiles and hugged me. "It was really nice seeing you, Bonnie. We should hang out soon."

I agreed, even though I knew it would never happen. Before they walked out of the door, Jaime turned around and said, "And Merry Christmas, Bonnie."

"Merry Christmas, you guys." I smirked, feeling all warm and fuzzy whenever someone told me that or even happy holidays. It was always a sweet gesture.

I continued on with my record-browsing and then went onto the next store whenever I was done paying for my new finds. I had already finished my Christmas shopping for everyone and was now focusing on a little something for myself. Nicole always laughed at me because whenever I bought someone else one thing, I had to make it even and buy myself two.

Store after store, I had bought some new outfits, used and new, and some winter scented candles that would last me until next Christmas. I was waiting for Nicole outside of our usual spot for margaritas and such, in my car. Leave it to Nic to take ten years to arrive. Social media was on fire as Fashion Week was burning for Spring lines; I had to keep myself updated.

Suddenly, there was banging on my passenger window and it scared the shit out of me, causing me to yell. I looked to my right and there was Mr. Baby Blue Eyes himself, laughing. I unlocked my car and he opened the door, getting seated snd chuckling, closing the door again. I smiled, "You're such a fucking dick." I lightly punched him on his arm.

"Sorry," he said in-between laughs. "I couldn't resist. I saw your car and I was like, 'I bet you that's Bonnie' and look, it was. What are you doing sitting out in the parking lot anyway?" He asked, making himself comfortable.

"I'm meeting Nicole for dinner. Aaaand margs." I smiled sweetly.

He looked at the gold Rolex sitting in his left wrist, "Is it already 5 o'clock?" He looked at me and smirked, jokingly.

Laughing, I turned down the radio so he could hear me better. "Whatever, man. I need it. I need like 15."

"Wow Bon, 15? That's a record, even for you."

"Hey, I've been stressed. Tequila makes me relaxed." I explained, not really joking because tequila really did relax me. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

He shook his head, "Nope." He popped the 'P' in the word. "Your dad let us out early and have the rest of the week off. He said he didn't feel like working." He chuckled making me laugh, also.

"So what are you doing here?"

"I was gonna eat."

"By yourself like a nerd?" I smirked, jokingly.

He laughed, "I always do that. It's peaceful. And, I can go at my own pace and no one will judge me."

"Sounds lonely." I said as I received a text from Nicole that she just pulled up. "Why don't you come join Nic and I, if you want?" I unbuckled my seatbelt. "You have five seconds to answer because she's here."

"Are you inviting me to be the third wheel to you and Nicole?" He laughed, getting out of the car. "Yeah, let's go."

I turned off my car and then grabbed my bag, before locking my car once I got out. "You look nice today, Bon." Steven complimented as he waited for me to walk on the sidewalk, giving me a tight hug.

"Thank you." I grinned, hugging him back.

"Whoa, whoa! What's going on over here!" We heard Nicole shouting from the parking lot causing Steven and I to crack up.

"Let's go, asshole. I need 15 margs and I gotta start now." I joked, linking my arms with hers.

"Is Steven joining us?" She smirked as we all walked in and he held the door open for us.

"Hi, three for a booth, please." I said politely to be hostess dressed in all black after she greeted us.

She smiled brightly as she grabbed three menus and lead us to a booth in the back of the restaurant and we all sat down. I sat down first on one side with Nicole sitting on the other so Steven could sit beside me. She probably did that on purpose, knowing her.

A minute or so later, our server named GC came over to us and took our drink orders; 3 waters, 2 with lemon, 2 House margaritas, and a tall beer. GC liked how we know exactly what we wanted. During the course of our dinner, it felt like old times, minus one; Cam.

The three of us caught up as if wasn't an issue. We apologized a hundred times to GC for camping out and taking over his table for so long but we promised him that he'd get a really good tip, so he didn't really care. Steven was catching both Nicole and I up on his life, while she slyly asked him if he was dating anyone; which he politely answered no too.

I don't know why, but it made me happy that he wasn't dating anyone. Steven had rarely had other girlfriends in his past because all he cared about was graduating at the top of his class and then law school and then working; any girl that had his heart had to appreciate that work ethic. You aren't born with that, you strive for it.


"What are you guys doing for Christmas?" He asked curiously as he sipped on his third beer of the night.

"Well, Christmas Eve is spent with Bonnie. Then, Christmas Day is visiting my family in the morning, and Cam's family at night." She dipped a tortilla chip in the blood red salsa then took a bite.

Steven nodded, "And you?" He looked over to me, waiting for an answer.

"Christmas Eve at my place with Nicole, Cam, and other friends if they choose to come. Then, Christmas Day at my parents. Your plans?"

"I don't know, yet. Did I tell you my parents are out of town? They went to New York. They invited me to go but I didn't want too." He shrugged.

"Wait," Nicole began. "So, you have no plans for Christmas? Why don't you come to Bonnie's?" Her eyes lit up as she asked that question and Steven looked over to me for approval.

I nodded and he smiled softly, "Sure. What time should I be there?"

Notes

Hey guys, just like I promised; another update for y'all! I've been getting more and more feedback via comments which makes me happy to see that you are all engaging in the story! So here's a brief shoutout and thank you to these three in particular:
@pierce-my-soul, @Magz507, and @Illalwaysbeintoyou :)

Also to everyone voting, subscribing, and just reading this little ol' thing in general, you don't know how happy I am to see others getting into my stories! THANK YOU.

What are your thoughts on this chapter? How do you think Bonnie is doing given what happened between her and Mike last chapter? And what about Nicole instigating her and Steven? You think Bonnie would be up for that again? I have a plan on where this story should go, but I want to add in some POV's coming from Mike and/or Steven. I'm also thinking next chapter will be Christmas themed :)

Sidenote: I imagine Steven looking very much like this babe right here. Of course, you can imagine him up however you please, but in my head he looks similar to this guy. (His name is doctor.mike on Instagram and he's such a fucking babe, but that's besides the point).

Enjoy reading and thanks again!

XO,
Ambs