Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 29

Being around someone as elegant as Bonnie always felt a little intense, like you had to watch every word.

Felton glanced over at her and asked, “So... should we head out now? Or do you think there’s something after the credits?”

Bonnie dropped her eyes, taking in the scene around her. Out of the corner of her vision, she saw Lawrence and Hannah’s little boy, already asleep, drool glistening on his father’s shoulder.

Hannah was quietly dabbing at her tears, her free hand maybe holding onto Lawrence’s.

Bonnie stood up. “Let’s go. I’ve seen enough.”

Felton was quick to follow, and together they slipped out, letting the faint sound of the bonus scene play behind them as they left the darkness for the bright, open mall. The weight of the theater lifted as soon as the fluorescent lights touched them.

“That movie really got to me,” Felton said as they walked, still a little affected. “Seriously, I didn't see that ending coming. Woody not going back to his owner, deciding to chase love instead... I mean, that surprised me.”

Bonnie gave a soft, thoughtful smile. “Sometimes you have to be yourself, for once.”

For Woody, real bravery wasn’t staying on the same old ranch, but daring to ride out into new territory.

Loyalty and freedom threaded through all four movies. Bonnie liked how this one ended, the hero finally choosing freedom.

Felton grinned at her. “You’re into this series, aren’t you? You paid attention to every second.”

Bonnie nodded. “I really like animated movies.”

Felton laughed. “That actually kind of surprises me. Helen told me you’re all graceful and artsy, and honestly, I was worried since there are no artsy films out right now. I had no clue what we’d watch if you didn’t want any of these.”

His ex was the type who only showed up for comedies. No comedies, no movie nights, simple as that.

Felton liked thrillers and sci-fi, himself.

Bonnie tucked some hair behind her ear, her tone sincere. “I can watch anything, really. Every story’s got something worth thinking about.”

There was a spark in her eyes that caught Felton off guard. His ears went pink, feeling strangely flustered. Bonnie’s gaze had that effect — she really looked at you, like she could see right through or was collecting some secret.

He wasn’t a complicated guy and was no good at hiding how he felt. He scratched the back of his head, blurting it out. “You really are gorgeous, you know. Like, seriously.”

And Bonnie was smiling back.

Lawrence suddenly thought of a line from the movie.

“I’m not just going to sit on a shelf and wait for my life to change.”

Woody walked away from his familiar world and found something new to chase.

People don’t just stand still forever, waiting for things to happen.

Some things, once missed, are gone for good.

A sharp ache tightened in Lawrence’s throat. He tried to breathe through it, but his chest still felt tight, heavy with regrets he couldn’t name.

Jasper woke up then, fussing, rubbing sleepy tears into Lawrence’s shirt.

Hannah came out of the restroom, her eyes still red. She stopped and took it all in — her little boy crying, her silent husband, herself standing there on the outside of their memories, never quite able to step in.