Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 326

Bonnie's emerald green dress fluttered in the evening breeze, tracing the elegant curve of her legs. Her long hair blew back, revealing a profile as smooth and radiant as polished jade.

Behind her, the deeply tanned junior architect pedaled like a maniac, in hot pursuit.

He kept yelling her name, totally unfazed by the sweltering heat or his own dry throat.

Lawrence recognized him instantly. It was the same guy from the studio, the one who had been laughing and leaning affectionately against her desk.

A block away, Bonnie slammed on the brakes at a bike return station. The boy skidded to a halt right in front of her, trying to physically block her path. She stepped left, he mirrored her. She stepped right, he jumped in front again.

Lawrence stood frozen, unsure of the context and hesitating to intervene.

Thankfully, Bonnie snapped a few sharp words at him. The boy instantly deflated, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he finally stepped aside. But he didn't leave. He slumped under the awning of a closed storefront, checking his phone every few seconds and letting out massive, exaggerated sighs.

He looked exactly like an abandoned golden retriever.

Bonnie turned and walked into a nearby barbecue joint.

Lawrence suddenly realized he had unconsciously walked several paces toward the scene.

He was standing directly in front of the boy.

Perry looked up. Seeing yet another guy in a tailored shirt and trousers exuding corporate-elite energy, Perry didn't even bother looking at his face. He just let out an annoyed huff and aggressively turned his head the other way.

Lawrence pressed his lips together, a fierce battle raging in his mind.

Specifically, a war between the twenty-year-old Lawrence and the twenty-nine-year-old Lawrence.

In the past, if a guy was hounding Bonnie in the street, he would have instantly stepped up, asserted his dominance, and found a way to terrify the competition.

But now, he had no right to do that. He had no authority to claim her.

More importantly, Bonnie was perfectly capable of handling her own life.

Charging in uninvited would only cause her unnecessary stress.

Thinking back to how toxic and controlling he used to be, Lawrence felt a wave of profound shame. He pivoted on his heel and walked back to his car.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he pulled out his phone.

June tilted his head, completely oblivious.

He was just a happy little dog.

Meanwhile, the interior of the barbecue joint had a gritty, industrial vibe, perfect for loud college parties. The graduate class had rented out the entire place, meaning they could gorge on meat, drink heavily, and scream over the karaoke machine.

When Yvonne finally arrived, Bonnie was quietly picking at a plate of fruit.

Bonnie shot her best friend a long, knowing look. Everything was communicated in that single glance.

Yvonne visibly winced, shrinking into herself. She mumbled a few greetings to the group and immediately slid into the booth next to Bonnie. She looked exhausted and entirely miserable.

Leaning in, Bonnie quickly relayed how Perry had practically begged on his knees for her to intervene and force Yvonne to unblock him.

"...I didn't see him outside, he probably left. It's way too hot out," Yvonne sighed, her voice barely a whisper. "I lost my mind the other night. I don't know how to fix this."

She couldn't quite tell if she was crippled by regret or just overwhelmed, but her chest felt tight.

Bonnie patted her shoulder. "You have to give the guy an answer eventually. You know how crazy Perry is about you. He's had a massive crush on you since his first day at the studio."