These were the best margaritas indeed. I lost count of how many between this and the few shots of tequila that we had taken. Here I was, self-medicating my frustration and burying it within myself. It's what I always resorted to when my brain was filled with nothing but thoughts. The other two weren't nearly as intoxicated as I was, again-- I was self medicating; they were just having social drinks.

Nicole was holding her stomach and she looked at me, "I'm gonna head back to the hotel. My stomach hurts, dude. You okay here?" She asked, eyeing me carefully.

"Dude, Mike's not a serial killer. I think I'm good." I chuckled, making Mike laugh as well.

"I'll see you back at the hotel, okay?" She turned to Mike and ordered, "Bring her back in once piece."

He raised his hands up, "Dude, go lay down. She's good."

"Yeah, mom." I added playfully, earning an eye roll from her as she got out of the booth and walked away to go catch a cab.

NICOLE POV

So, I wasn't as sick as I was pretending. And normally, I wouldn't leave my drunk best friend with her ex-boyfriend who is still in love with her, but this was a small test that I was conducting. Something inside of me was telling me that Bonnie wanted to be with Mike just as much as he wanted to be with her; I mean, look at them! The stars couldn't be more aligned for them, but they are both too stupid to do anything about it.

I loved Steven, don't get me wrong. He was an awesome guy and he truly did love Bonnie, but he just didn't get her. He didn't get what she was doing and what she wanted. I wish that he could just let go of his dream of her being this lawyer's wife. Bonnie wouldn't succumb to that lifestyle if it was the only option she had. She was creative and spunky and desperately needed to be with someone who loved that about her; not hated it.

Mike on the other hand never saw her as that, but his jealousy is what tore down their relationship in the first place. But, he supported her like crazy and knew that she loved what she did. Plus, I don't think he would make her move to New York and quit her life here in California. He would never ask her to do that.

I'm protective of her and if I could mix the two of them into the perfect guy for her, I would. That morphed man would be perfect for Bonnie.

I just don't want her to be confused.


BONNIE POV

It was silent for a moment between Mike and I, the sound of the emptiness of his margarita glass drowning out everything. He motioned to the waiter to bring him another one then he cleared his throat.

"Bon," he said softly before shooting me a smile. "You're going a little nuts with margs tonight, huh?"

I grinned slightly, "I sure am."

He chewed in his lip, knowing me better than I thought. "Everything going okay?"

I nodded, "It sure is."

"Promise?" His brown eyes were glazed over, sparkling underneath the light that was making the restaurant brighter.

Out of habit, I chewed on my straw as I was thinking. My brain felt like it was fuzzy and all control was lost. "Everything is going fine. I guess just-" I stopped, trying to not blow my composure but seemingly failing. "I think I'm just a little stressed out."

He nodded carefully, "With the shop?"

"Mhmm." I answered, finishing up my margarita then going for a sip of my water that I touched in between margs. "It's just a lot along with buying for it and other people."

"Yeah, but it's going to be so worth it. I mean, just think about it. You'll finally have your own space of like vintage stuff and clothes or whatever you are gonna sell there, and there's going to be people like you who come in and make it their favorite spot."

I smiled at him, "I suppose you're right."

"I am. This is so awesome. Don't give up now, isn't this what you've always wanted?"

I nodded along, not saying a word. It bothered me that Steven couldn't be like this. Why couldn't Steven believe in me half as much as I believe in him? Shit, half as much as Mike does?

"Man, why can't Steven be like you?" I blurted out, not realizing that I was now bringing to light my relationship troubles.

Mike's head shot to me, "What?"

"Steven's being so fucking unsupportive right now and it's driving me insane. Why does he have to be like that, you know?"

"Like what?" He asked with concern filling his eyes.

"So last night we were talking and everything was good until he brought up New York, I hate when he brings up New York..." I began, my drunken babble making perfect sense to me, not sure about anyone else. "And then he like is still expecting me to drop everything in LA for him. I just got the shop, Mike. Like, it's finally mine and he wants me to give it up for New York? Cmon."

"What's in New York?" He asked curiously.

"He's going to New York to open up an East Coast branch of my dad's firm. He's going to be there for like a year and a half, almost two years."

"He wants you to go with him?"

"Yeah! Even after the whole shop thing which he's not even stoked about for me. How fucked up is that?"

"Have you told him you feel this way?"

I scoffed, "Of fucking course I have! He's just stupid." I said immaturely before rubbing my head which now ached. "But I love him regardless which is strange."

Mike smiled half-heartedly and gazed at me. "I know you do. Well maybe, maybe you two can compromise? Like, you could not go to New York right away but when the shop is settled and everything?"

I looked at him strangely with winced eyes, "Why are you trying to help me?"

"Because I hate seeing you looking at the bottom of that margarita glass for answers."

I nodded slowly, shifting my head to my phone beside me and seeing the missed calls and texts from Steven. Maybe Mike was right? Maybe I could compromise?

---

MIKE POV

Once I got an intoxicated Bonnie back to her hotel, I sat in the parking lot for a while, trying to decipher this new wave of information that I had just received.

She was so confused and so belligerent in her own head. I couldn't take advantage of that vulnerability that she was so clearly showing. But I couldn't help but wonder if this was my moment. I wondered if this was what I had been waiting for when it came to Bonnie-- a crack in the door so I could get in.

Steven was being everything she hated right now and that could be a huge advantage for me. I wanted her, I always would. I loved her so much and letting her go was so unbelievably stupid of me, I still didn't forgive myself. I had to get her back; there was no way that I could just sit back and watch from the sidelines anymore. I had to get Bonnie back. I would get her back.

Notes

ANOTHER ONE