Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 19

Helen couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “If Lawrence really had a thing for your precious leader, why was he dating Bonnie in the first place? Seems to me he wasn’t all that into her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent over a year chasing Bonnie like some lovesick puppy. Honestly, even if you gift-wrapped a guy like that, we wouldn’t want him.”

She threw her boyfriend a pointed look. Ned, who’d heard plenty about the old drama from Helen, picked up the cue right away. “Wasn’t Bonnie Lawrence’s first love? That must’ve stung. First loves are always the hardest to get over.”

Nana’s cheeks turned bright red, and the girls around her looked ready to jump in and defend their friend. Bonnie stood up and stepped in front of Helen.

Hannah was a ballerina, tall and gracefully poised. Bonnie, at five foot six, stood a little shorter, but her cool, collected face gave her its own kind of authority.

People used to joke that Bonnie got it from her mom, calling her a budget version of the Ice Queen.

She looked Hannah square in the eyes and spoke like it was no big deal. “If you keep a dog, you’re supposed to use a leash and a muzzle. Otherwise, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets bit. You’ve had dogs for years, Hannah. I really don’t need to explain this to you, right?”

The smile on Hannah’s lips faltered for a split second. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard Bonnie call her friends dogs. That trick was straight out of Lawrence’s playbook.

Trying to keep things civil, Hannah gently blocked Nana and the others. “Come on, we’re all friends here. There’s no point fighting. Let the past stay in the past. My little one with Lawrence is almost three. Does any of this even matter anymore?”

“Sorry we interrupted you, Bonnie. Let’s catch up another time.” She forced a smile and led her group away.

Helen looked almost disappointed they hadn’t gotten into a full-blown argument. She let out a soft huff and flopped back into her seat. Ned poured her some water and nudged her, fishing for a compliment. “Not bad, huh? Did I do okay?”

Helen elbowed him and ignored the comment. So he topped off Bonnie’s water instead. “Don’t let those people ruin your night. Dinner’s on me. If you want anything else, just order it.”

Bonnie smiled and shook her head. “Honestly, I’m in a great mood. The food here is amazing.”

Helen helped her to a chicken wing. “You should eat more. You’ve gotten so thin lately.”

Some people might say it’s been three years and any pain Bonnie felt should have faded by now. But Helen knew better. She’d been by Bonnie’s side long enough to understand. That scar called Lawrence never really healed. It kept getting picked open, again and again.

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