Tory fought nausea as she hid away in Pierce’s bedroom, listening to him invite Bonnie inside. She couldn’t see much, but their voices were clear enough for her to make out their conversation. Standing as still as possible behind the bedroom door, she held her breath as Pierce and Bonnie passed it on their way to the living room.

“Thanks for coming,” Pierce was saying.

“Of course,” Bonnie replied, and Tory could hear the smile in the woman’s voice. “But I have to say, I’m a little surprised you asked me to come.”

“I’m kind of surprised myself, actually,” Pierce replied. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I wanted to talk to you in person.”

There was a moment of silence, and Tory edged closer to the bedroom door, wanting to make sure she caught everything the two of them said. She couldn’t help thinking how Pierce could probably hear how fast her heart was beating. Truth was, she wanted to be convinced, wanted to believe that Bonnie was behind everything.

“Last time we spoke you told me you had nothing to say to me,” Bonnie said.

“Yes,” Pierce replied. “I was meeting someone that night, do you remember?”

Bonnie’s voice took on a different tone as she replied, sounding cold and terse.

“I remember very well.”

“That was Tory, and that was our first date. She was someone I thought I might have a more serious relationship with,” Pierce continued.

“Why are you telling me this?” Bonnie asked, sounding somewhat impatient.

“Because we broke up,” Pierce replied.

Another silence took over, and Tory couldn’t help herself. On her tiptoes, making sure she didn’t bump into anything in the dark room, she crept even closer to the crack in the bedroom door, peering out into the hallway. From there, she could barely catch sight of the edge of the couch.

Bonnie’s dark hair fell around her shoulders, hiding her face as she looked at Pierce. Tory could only catch a glimpse of his knee as he sat a good distance away from Bonnie. Unsure of what exactly Pierce’s strategy was, Tory waited with bated breath, remembering her promise to try and be patient, no matter what would end up being said.

“I’m… sorry,” Bonnie hesitated.

“You don’t need to pretend,” Pierce said, but there was no anger in his voice. “I know you played a part in it.”

Bonnie shook her head, as Pierce moved closer to her on the couch. Tory could see the side of his face now, and he looked calm, collected, even sympathetic.

“I don’t know what you think…” Bonnie started, but Pierce interrupted her by taking her hands in his.

Bonnie looked surprised, frozen for a moment. She looked down at their hands and then back at Pierce. All Tory could do was watch everything unfold. She hadn’t thought Pierce would be so direct, but then again, he needed her to admit it, didn’t he?

“Please,” Pierce said gently. “I already know everything. You left the window open, but I could still smell you. How could I not? I remember your scent so well,” he smiled.

“You do?” Bonnie asked, a tentative smile on her lips.

“Yes,” Pierce nodded. “And while I can’t exactly approve your methods… You’ve given me some clarity. I realize now I made a mistake letting you go. I think I was scared of the connection between us so I just pushed you away. But you kept fighting for us, even when I was so cruel to you. And for that I’m sorry.”

Tory could hardly believe her ears. This was Pierce’s strategy? To tell Bonnie he actually enjoyed her stalking him? It sounded insane, but then again, what Bonnie had done was equally crazy.

It didn’t escape Tory’s attention that she was already thinking like she believed Pierce, while nothing was yet proven. Sure, Bonne hadn’t gotten up and left in a huff at the mere accusation she had broken into her ex-boyfriend’s apartment, which was odd. But people handled situations differently.

I would already be out the door. But then again, I’ve always been good at running from my problems.

“Pierce,” Bonnie whispered, leaning closer to him. “You really mean it?”

“Of course,” he smiled. “But before we can even think about moving forward, I think we both have to be honest with each other. This relationship can’t be based on lies.”

Bonnie gave him an enthusiastic nod.

“I knew from the moment I saw her she wasn’t right for you,” she said.

“Tory, you mean?” Pierce asked.

“Yeah, her,” Bonnie grimaced. “I was trying not to hope you and I could get back together, but I knew you couldn’t end up with her. She’s a stranger, not even from Black Oak,” she scoffed. “And a dance teacher? That’s so not you.”

“I can see that now,” Pierce agreed.

Bonnie was getting deeper into her story now, the words flowing out quickly. Tory quietly fumed in her hiding spot. But she also felt a little sorry for the woman. Clearly Bonnie was delusional.

“I had a moment of weakness when I warned her…” Bonnie trailed off. “I had already been to your house, with the spare key I had made. I kept thinking about how much it had hurt when you broke things off, so I texted her. I got the number from Sally. I don’t even really know why I did it… But she didn’t listen.”

Pierce had gone quiet, as Tory’s heart beat ever faster. So the text had been from Bonnie. It didn’t surprise her, not with all the woman had just admitted to.

“What if I hadn’t figured it out?” Pierce asked, his tone colder than before. “What if Tory hadn’t found the underwear, or what if she didn’t think it that big of a deal?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Bonnie shook her head, tucking her hair behind her ears. “All I knew was I had to do something. Deep in my heart, I knew if you weren’t distracted by her, you’d see we were meant for each other. And you have,” she beamed at him, even as he pulled back, letting go of her hands.

She looked mildly confused when Pierce’s expression suddenly changed, a hardness to his features. He got to his feet, glaring at Bonnie, but when he spoke, it wasn’t to her.

“Tory, you can come out now,” he said.

And so she did.