When I had arrived back home the next afternoon, everything was neatly in its place and dimly lit up until I got towards the living room. There were candles lit and thousands upon thousands of rose petals gracefully spread out and leading to Steven. He was dressed quite nicely; navy blue suit pants paired with a white button up; his gold Rolex sitting on his left wrist. He had a bouquet of roses and a small, apologetic smile once he made eyes with me.

I walked up to him, my heart beating right out of my chest nervously. "Steven, what's all this for?" I gestured to the super romantic setup around us.

He handed me the bouquet of blood red roses and took my hand, "Bonnie, I'm so fucking sorry."

Was all of this for an apology? Holy hell.

"I didn't mean what I said about it just being a store and just being a blog. It just came out, honestly. Regardless, I shouldn't have even said that; yet alone thought it. Baby, I'm so sorry. Please, please don't think that I haven't changed, because I really have. You make me so proud of you every single day that all I want to do is shout it from the mountaintops. I love you so much."

I looked into his eyes and saw the reflection of the candles in his baby blue orbs. I couldn't help it. He did all of this for me. People do this as a proposal and he did this as an apology. My breath was taken away.

"I love you, too." I said in a low voice, walking towards him and wrapping my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek.

"You forgive me?" He questioned in a shocked tone, looking me in my eyes.

My eyebrows furrowed together, "That's the last time, Bohn. I swear to god that's the last time. You're either with me in everything I do or you're not."

He nodded furiously, "Baby, I'm with you. I'm with you all the way. I cross my heart and hope to die."

"Okay then," I said softly, bringing him into me for a kiss. "I missed you."

He smiled on my lips. "I missed you too, Bon."

I brought him with me onto the couch, me sitting on his lap. "I want to talk to you about something."

"About?" He raised an eyebrow, with some concern in his eyes.

"The ever frustrating topic of New York." I said as I ran my fingers through his soft hair.

"Bon, we don't have to talk about New York."

"No, no. Hear me out, I have a proposition for you..." I looked at him and noticed how he was holding my hand this entire time, squeezing it now and then. "Maybe we should come up with a compromise?"

"A compromise?" He questioned, not really considering a compromise in the first place.

I nodded, my hair shaking. "Yes baby, a compromise. I'll go with you to New York, but it cannot be right away. Once I get things settled here and organized with the shop and Nicole, who still doesn't know about this idea, then I will come with you. How does that sound?"

His face lit up and it looked like the world was lifted off of his shoulders. "Seriously? Do you mean that?"

Again, I nodded not being able to help it that he was smiling so wide. "I absolutely do. I don't want you having to go to New York by yourself. I will go firsthand to help you move, though."

"What about your place?" He gestured to my sanctuary of a loft that I truly didn't want to give up.

"I'll continue to pay rent for it but also send my dad to come and make sure everything is in tact while I'm not here." I sounded so confident when speaking and so sure of myself that this plan was going to work.

"God, I fucking love you. I don't deserve you at all." He said out loud, looking me in my eyes gratefully. "I promise you, Bonnie. I promise you that New York is going to be worth it for the both of us. It's only temporary."

"What's a year and a half got on us?" I grinned, kissing him gently. "Nothing. I am going to need your help when it comes to ironing out the kinks of all of this and especially when I tell Nic." I began to get up from his lap but he pulled me down and covered me in kisses as I laid back onto the couch.

"Anything for you, baby. I owe you forever for this. I might even have to marry you." He joked, making me laugh.

"You just might have too." I said, smiling up at him and dragging him on top of me.

---

A few days later, Steven had gone to New York with my dad to check on the progress of some stuff. As for me, I was stuck at home alone trying to drum up a semi-good excuse on how to bring up the whole NYC thing to Nicole; she was not going to be stoked regarding the news.

I was making myself some hot coffee and listening to The Smiths on vinyl when there was a knock on my door. I walked over to the door and opened it casually before seeing that the person standing behind it was Mike.

"Mike? What are you doing here?" I asked curiously, allowing him in.

"Is Steven here?" He looked around cautiously just in case Steven came around and like speared him into the ground or something.

I shook my head, walking to my kitchen hoping he would follow. He did and closed my door, sitting on the bar stool across from the counter. "He's in New York with my dad for a few days." I finally explained, stirring coffee creamer into my mug and adding some sugar. "What are you doing here?" I asked again, seriously wanting an explanation.

He was quiet, just looking at me and running over his thoughts in his head. "I don't know, actually."

I raised an eyebrow, "Okay? You've got to be here for some reason."

He looked around and his brown eyes landed on some of the boxes that had Steven's stuff in it. "Is he moving in here?" He asked, ignoring the topic of conversation.

I shook my head and popped the 'p', "Nope. He got an offer on his house and since he has to be out soon, he's moving his stuff here temporarily before he leaves for New York."

He nodded, "About that...did you talk to him about it?"

"I did, actually. And, we came up with a compromise like you suggested."

His face fell immediately and eyed me, "You're going to New York?"

"Yeah, eventually. Not right away but yes, I'll be a New Yorker soon." I smiled softly, thinking of all the possibilities that New York could bring me.

"Oh, okay. So I take it things are back to normal with him?" Mike asked carefully, not wanting to get too deep into my relationship.

"Yeah, actually." I said with a smile. "Back to normal and oh so good."

He licked his bottom lip and just looked at me and looked around. "You have your whole life mapped out with him, huh?"

"I mean, not my whole life. Just right now." I admitted truthfully, beginning to feel a bit strange about Mike being here.

"I can't believe you're gonna leave California..." He blurted out, his eyes not being taken off of me. "You're not gonna miss it?"

"Mike, I'm not gonna be gone for like 15 years. I'm coming back, you know." I chuckled, sipping on my coffee.

He looked at me and smiled softly, as if an ingenious idea just popped into his head. "Been to the record store lately?"

I shrugged, "Not since Christmas, why?"

"We should go. You know, for old times sake."

MIKE POV

"For old times sake, huh? Alright. I'll be ready in ten." Bonnie said before going up the steps and closing her bedroom door.

I stayed downstairs cooking up a plan for how I was going to get Bonnie back. I would make her fall in love with me and recreate our best moments together. I had too, this was my last opportunity. Scumbag Steven was out of the house and the picture for a few days, this was it. Some might say this constant obsession with Bonnie was a little psychotic, and to some it might've been, but really, the only thing I knew was that she was my soulmate.

I looked around her living room and one of those boxes that were Scumbag's and saw a framed photo of him and Bonnie from what looked like forever ago. I shifted through a few of his things and noticed a small blue velvet box hidden underneath all of his lawyer books and shit. I carefully opened it and revealed a huge Lorraine Swartz diamond ring. (15 carats, to be exact. Like how Kim K's ring is).

"Holy fuck." I whispered to myself as I left it in the box but studied it carefully. It was beautiful and Bonnie was going to love it. I wanted to give up in that moment, but I couldn't. I had to try a little harder. Especially now that I know he's going to propose to her with a ring four times the size of the one I had proposed with. This was literally my last shot to get her to fall in love with me.

I carefully hid it and put it back in the box where it was before walking back to the stool, not before noticing a giant and beautiful bouquet of roses on the coffee table and some leftover petals here and there on the floor. What the fuck did these two do when they were together? I sat back on the stool and fiddled with my phone as I killed some time before Bonnie came back down.

"Alright, let's go." She said with a grin. She was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt with one of those track jackets on top of it. His might've been the most dressed down I've ever seen her since I met her.

I nodded and followed her out of the door and we were on the elevator down to the first floor. "We can go in my car." I suggested and she nodded, following me to the parking lot. "Question, why are there rose petals everywhere?"

She grinned happily and answered, "Steven." That was all she said. I was cringing at the thought of them being together romantically, sexually; in any way actually. Scumbag didn't deserve her but who even said that I did?

I drove us to the record store where we had run into one another ages ago and it was right after where I spent all day with her. I was hoping to get her undivided attention but she was glued to her phone and texting the entire time. It was driving me crazy.

"Does Nic know you're going to NYC?" I asked, hoping that would get her out of her phone.

She shook her head, "Not yet. Steven and I are gonna tell her and Cam whenever he comes back in three days."

"Is that right?" I smiled to myself, thinking of a plan to tarnish whatever I possibly could. I didn't like that I was getting this way, but I figured I had too to get what I want.

---

LATER THAT NIGHT; MIKE POV; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Mine and Bonnie's record store date didn't necessarily go like I had imagined it would. She was looking for albums with me and then Scumbag called so she went outside and the didn't come back in until twenty minutes later. After that she didn't stop talking about him and I got annoyed.

Now I was back home, ready for Phase 2. Nicole and Cam had come over to Vic and his girlfriend's place for dinner and all of the guys were here, too. Alysha was there, only because she's super close friends with the girls and honestly, her and I were really up in the air but that's another story for another day.

We were all sitting there eating and conversing over many topics when I decided to bring up Bonnie. "So Nic," I began carefully. "How do you feel about Bonnie going to New York?" I asked, knowing damn well she knew nothing about it but I had to stir up some trouble. I had a plan after all.

Her face scrunched together as did everyone else's. "Bonnie's not going to New York."

"Oh, you don't know? She said she's going to New York with what's his face." I said in a condescending tone that earned a head shake from my brother.

"When did she say that?" Nicole's eyes looked like they could tear a hole into someone they got so dark.

"Today." I said simply. "I thought you knew."

"You saw Bonnie today?" Vic questioned surprised.

I nodded, "We went to the record store today."

"What do you mean she's going to New York? What about the store?" Cam asked me because apparently Nic couldn't get it out.

"She's going to New York with Steven. Like, they already have everything planned out. And the store, I don't know, she didn't mention the store once." I instigated, taking a bite of my food.

"Whoa, I can't believe she's leaving." Jaime said, earning a pinch from his girlfriend to stay out of it.

Nicole grew silent and barely talked the rest of the dinner, soon after her and Cam left back to Los Angeles and I knew the bomb was gonna drop soon.

"Why'd you do that?" Vic asked me angrily once everyone left except his girlfriend.

"Do what?" I smirked, cracking open a beer and sitting on a chair.

"Why'd you instigate shit between Bonnie and Nic? That's none of your business, dude."

"Hey, Nic has a right to know that her business partner is leaving for New York to live happily ever after with her stupid boyfriend." I replied with a shady undertone in my voice.

Vic nodded as if he just hit a point of realization. "So this is about Bonnie and Steven. Dude, she doesn't want to be with you. Get the fuck over it."

That made me angry, that's not what I wanted to hear. "Man, fuck you Vic! I know that what her and I had was special and I know that she cares about me just as much as I care about her! And Steven, man fuck Steven. He doesn't deserve her! He's a fucking asshole that doesn't appreciate everything she does for him. And if I can't have her, no one will!"

Vic's eyes grew, his voice bellowing through the apartment. "Are you listening to yourself?! You sound like a fucking psychopath, Mike! You sound fucking insane. Let her go, man! She's happy! Why can't you let her be happy? Even when she was with you and Steven saw the both of you together he knew she was happy and let her be! God man, you and Bonnie were together for like two months and broke up almost four months ago, dude. Move the fuck on. " He stomped to his bedroom and his red-headed girlfriend just looked at me.

"Am I crazy?" I asked her quietly, and her eyes were filled with sadness. "Danielle, today I found an engagement ring from Steven. A beautiful, huge, classy ring that he's going to give to her. Why can't I just let her go?"

"Because you are in love with her. But just because you think that you two are soulmates doesn't mean that she thinks the same, Mike." She said softly, patting my back.

Maybe she was right.

---

THREE DAYS LATER / LOS ANGELES / BONNIE POV

Steven had come back from New York and we were lounging at home eating Chinese food. We were laughing and having a grand ol' time when there was heavy knocking on my door.

"I got it Bon." Steven announced, getting up from the couch we were sitting on and walking to the front door.

He opened it and Nicole barged in with Cam behind her. She seemed pissed. "Nic, what's wrong?" I asked concerned.

She looked around and noticed the boxes everywhere and her eyes grew, "What the fuck is all of this?"

"All of what?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"All of these boxes!" She kicked one that had lawyer books in it and whatnot, causing Steven to rush over to it.

"They are Steven's! Why are you kicking shit?"

"When the fuck were you gonna tell me that you were moving to NEW YORK, Bonnie?!" She exclaimed and my heart sank to the ground.

"Oh my god, Nic. I'm not moving to New York!" I got quiet. "Not yet, at least." Her eyes grew wide and she got even more pissed. "I was gonna talk to you about it! See what you think."

"I can't believe you! Oh my god, you're just gonna leave me now that we're business partners?! I can't believe you! And I had to find out from Mike of all people! Of all people!" She exclaimed, her hands balled up in fists.

"From who?" Steven's head snapped and looked at Nicole.

She turned on her heel and faced him with an evil grin, "Mike. Mike Fuentes. Her ex boyfriend. They hung out the other day while you were gone and guess what- when we were in San Diego, we ran into him and had dinner with him but I left around 9 and he didn't bring her back to the hotel until after midnight."

My mouth dropped and Steven eyed me, "You hung out with him? Why would you do that? He was here? Where we are basically living together he was here, Bonnie?"

"It's not like I invited him over. He showed up and then we went to some record store. Nothing happened if that's what you're thinking!" I tried to defend myself but I knew this was too late.

Nicole ran her tongue over her teeth, "Looks like you haven't been truthful with anyone, Bonnie. Well, except for Mike. I don't think I want to have a store with you."

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. Nicole stormed out of my apartment and Cam waved bye to me before following her out. Steven was looking at me, obvious amounts of hurt in his eyes. "Baby, nothing happened I promise you." I said walking up to him and touching his arms. He backed off and then grabbed his keys from the counter before walking out.

I felt defeated on every end possible. How is it that in a matter of minutes I just lost everything?

---

Two days later, in the afternoon, I woke up and Steven was not beside me- still. He'd been ignoring me and was not staying here. I assumed he was at a friend's house or something. I let out groans as I moved to get out of bed, wanting to just throw myself off of a cliff. Dramatic, I know.

I checked my phone and had nothing- nothing from Nicole, nothing from Steven, nothing but Mike liking my fucking Instagram photos and it pissed me off. This is all of his fault. Why the fuck did I have to meet him? I hate him so much. So fucking much.

Moments later, I received a text from my dad asking if I could bring him lunch; the usual Panera meal that he adored. I responded and figured now was a good as time as any to get up and get out of the house. I quickly got dressed and did a lazy version of my makeup before calling in mine and my dad's order so I could go pick up.

When I arrived, I had walked in expecting to see Steven but he was not there and no one was in his office either. My dad saw me and smiled, "Hey there, sweet pea!" He hugged me and kissed my head.

I smiled half-heartedly and sat across from him, organizing the food for us, "Hey dad."

"I appreciate this, you know? We've been insanely busy. But I'm sure you already know that." He grinned, his black and gray hair looking freshly cut and suave.

I smiled, taking a bite of my sandwich and not responding to his useless banter. "Is Steven here?"

He shook his head, "No. He had a big meeting with a potential client this morning. He wasn't going to be back until the afternoon." I nodded, chewing on my food and looking down. "What's wrong?" My dad asked.

I was quiet for a moment before speaking, "Daddy, you know this whole New York thing is ruining everything, right?"

He raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly that." Again, I was quiet momentarily and spoke again once I had taken a bite of my salad. "My boyfriend is mad at me, my best friend is mad at me, and my ex-boyfriend is in love with me and can't take a hint."

"What does New York have to do with all of that?" He asked curiously.

"Everything! Dad," I began. "I was going to go with Steven to New York. Not right away, but eventually."

His eyes grew, "Now, when I had chose Steven to go out there, first hand I didn't expect that you'd tag along..." You could tell the thought of me leaving him and my mom for that much time would be devastating to him.

"He's my boyfriend, dad. You expect me to not see my own boyfriend for a year plus?"

"In my defense, you two weren't an item when this opportunity came up. You can't blame me."

"I'm not, I'm really not. But everything is so messy right now." I then went into explaining everything. How much Steven and I were fighting, how we compromised, the Nic situation and finally, how I hate Mike for causing all of the tension that there was now.

"Sounds to me like you weren't telling the full truth." My dad said after he listened to me vent.

I rolled my eyes, "I didn't say anything to Steven because he hates Mike. I didn't say anything to Nic because Steven and I were going to do it together and then plan things out. Now I have nothing." I pouted, sticking out my bottom lip which in turn made my dad chuckle.

"It'll get better sweet pea, I promise."

About twenty minutes later, there was a knock on his office door and my dad shouted for them to come in. The door opened and in walks Steven, his hands full with papers and whatever else a lawyer needs. He eyes me for a moment then looked over to my dad with apparent news to announce.

"How'd it go?" My father asked him, hope in his eyes.

Steven handed him the papers looking stern then smiling, "We got 'em."

My dad shot up and gave Steven a hug. "That's what I wanna hear! This is gonna be huge!"

"I know! They were keeping their guard up but once I charmed them a little, they were mine. They should be calling you today for confirmation."

"Great job, son." My dad grinned before sitting back down and tossing our garbage in the trash can.

I stood up and grabbed my purse, "Well, y'all seem busy. I'm gonna head on out." I looked at my watch and noticed I had already been here for an hour. "I'm supposed to meet with a buyer in a little bit."

My dad walked over and hugged me tightly, kissing my head. "See you Sunday?"

I nodded with a smile, "Sure thing." I walked past Steven and out of the office doors, almost making it to the front door when an arm grabbed onto my elbow, lightly pulling me back.

"You're not gonna tell me bye?" Steven asked, his blue eyes targeting my eyes then my lips and back again.

"To be fair, I didn't tell you hi to begin with." I answered smartly making him smirk.

"Come on." He said, taking my hand and leading us into his office. He shut the door and the blinds, watching me as I looked around at how he decorated it. Then, he walked to his big chair and sat on it, his eyes still on me. "Come here." He patted his lap and I walked over slowly, placing my bag on top of his desk before sitting on his lap.

"Are you still mad at me?" I asked quietly looking in his eyes, my arms draped around his neck.

He shook his head, "Nope."

"Then why didn't you come back home?" I pouted again.

"Home?" He smiled softly, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, home. To me." I grinned, running my fingers through his hair, making him smile.

"Well, I was going to go home today, actually. But you weren't there when I dropped by before I came here." His hand was running up and down my thigh, causing chills to go run through my body.

"I'm sorry." I said suddenly, my numb brushing his cheek. "I'll have you know that nothing happened. And the whole San Diego thing was pure run-in."

He nodded, "I know, baby. He just makes me uneasy. He's like one step away from stalking."

I made a face, my nose scrunched up. "Gross. Don't creep me out like that."

He chuckled, "I love you more than anything, Bonnie Perez. More than anything."

A grin stretched across my face, ten miles wide it seemed. "And I love you, Steven Bohn, more than you can imagine."

"You realize if we ever got hitched and you decided to take my last name, you'd be Bonnie Bohn? BB."

"How television sitcom character is that? So cute." I joked. "By the way, I like how you said if I decide to take your last name. Way to leave it up to me, doll."

"Of course. You'd be doing me the favor of marrying me anyway." He smiled widely, his eyes getting small.

I laughed then looked around his office. "You know, we have yet to break this office in." I shot him a sly look and he raised his brows.

"And if I recall from what you told me 5 years ago, you said that once I get an office, you'd break that in with me. I mean, that desk that poor old Henry is sitting at over there has been broken in." He gestured to where is old desk was, making me laugh.

"Did it not bring you the best luck? Imagine with an office." I winked, standing up. "But, I can't help you break it in now. I really do have to go meet with a buyer today." I looked at my watch. "See you at home later?"

He nodded and looked my way, smiling. "I'll be there." He stood up and kissed me gently over and over. "I love you." His arm was snaked around my waist, holding me closely.

"Mmm, another one." I said wanting another kiss. "I love you too." I let go and before I walked away he slapped my butt. I walked to his office door, "Don't tempt me, Bohn. You'll get it later." I shot him a wink, making him laugh as he watched me walk out of his office.

---

"How long are you gonna be mad at me for?" I asked Nicole annoyingly as we walked out of UNIF, whom were our buyers that day. Our store was originally going to be vintage only but we decided to add some our favorite brands as well, UNIF obviously being one of the best.

She looked at me, her bag slung around her body. Her blonde hair was curled today and she was wearing a hat on top. "I haven't decided yet." Were the first words she's spoken to me in five days. Hey, it was something. I'm taking it.

"I didn't tell you because Steven and I were going to go over it with you and plan around the store's schedule, not his." I explained once more, adding some apologetic tones in there even though I'd apologized numerous times since our argument.

"I get that, Bonnie. I get it completely, but it's just," she paused momentarily, halting her walk and facing me suddenly. "New York is across the country. How is running a new business from there going to work?"

"What if I make trips out here weekly?" I suggested quickly.

"That's a lot of flying money." She retorted, shaking her head at my idea.

"What I should do is that and make my dad pay for it since he's making Steven go out there." I stopped talking and scanned over this whole situation in my head. "You know, if Steven was never asked to go, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Sorry I told him about Mike." She frowned, feeling bad. "How long was he mad at you?"

"Took him a couple days, but he holds less of a grudge than you do." I smiled softly at her. "Nic, I'm sorry. I know that you should've been the first one. But, I was just unsure. I still am to be kind of honest."

She raised an eyebrow, the golden blonde arch rising. "Unsure about?"

"Can I trust you to not say anything? Not even to Cam... but this whole New York thing is stressing me out beyond belief. I love New York, but I just... I don't know if I'm ready for everything it's gonna bring. Everything is just moving too fast." I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed loudly. All I wanted in the world was peace but it just didn't feel in my grasp right now.

"Maybe you should tell Steven how you feel?" She suggested, stopping in her tracks and looking at me.

"I know, but he's just so excited...I mean, I am too. But I think I'm scared to leave everything behind. All of my friends, family, you and Cam. What do you think I should do?" I asked feeling helpless. The pile-on of stress from work, New York, Steven, and Nicole, and especially stupid Mike. I needed to just let go, it was about that time.

Notes

I FINALLY GOT MY COMPUTER BACK! Here's the update :) Let me know what you think, guys.

XO,

Ambs