Standing in front of Black Oak’s most popular restaurant as the sun slowly began to set, Pierce had to admit – he was nervous. Was Tory even going to show up? This was in no way a predictable woman, and despite the kiss they had shared, he still sensed some hesitance on her part.

Maybe that was why he had arrived fifteen minutes early? So that if he spotted her changing her mind and running the other way, he could chase after her? He didn’t really know the answer, but there he stood anyway, in his button-down shirt and slacks, wondering if he should have worn a tie or not.

Since when do I care about ties?

Sighing to himself, Pierce kept his eye on the streets, breathing in the crisp, fresh air. Clouds were beginning to roll in, dark and heavy, and wind tousled the row of trees on the edge of the sidewalk.

When Pierce took out his phone to check the time, he spotted a familiar face looking at him from across the street. Eyes narrowing, he watched the woman’s expression change when she saw him notice her. She smiled at him, but he didn’t smile back.

Bonnie.

His bear was instantly agitated as he watched his former girlfriend cross the street and head straight for him. Did Bonnie really think he wanted to talk to her? Did she not realize he had put two and two together and realized what she had done after the break-up?

He crossed his arms as she came to a stop in front of him, tucking her long, dark hair behind her ear. She’d gotten bangs since he had seen her last, and was wearing a skintight dress and high heels.

“Hey,” she said, looking happy to see him. “What’s up?”

“What’s up?” he responded, incredulous. “Is that all you have to say to me?”

Bonne frowned, crinkling her upturned nose.

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Is something the matter? I just came over to say hi.”

Pierce was not in the mood to play games with his ex, especially not when Tory was due to arrive soon. And despite his annoyance at the whole situation, he didn’t really want to get into an argument with Bonnie, either.

The past was the past, and he had already moved on. He didn’t need any clarity, or closure – he already had it. A relationship with Bonnie was never going to work out. Even if they hadn’t broken up when they did, things would have still been over for them the moment he laid eyes on Tory.

So, he took a deep, calming breath, and looked Bonnie straight in the eye.

“Hi. I hope you’re doing well, but I’m kind of expecting someone and don’t have time to chat,” he said.

Bonnie glanced at the restaurant, and then at his attire. Hand flying to her hip, she scoffed to herself.

“What, you going on a date or something?” she questioned.

“I am,” he replied evenly.

“Not wasting any time, I see,” she remarked, bitterness coloring her tone.

“Look, I’m not getting into this with you,” he replied. “We’re over, and after what you put me through after our break-up, I really don’t feel like we have anything more to say to each other.”

“What I put you through?” she raised a brow at him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Pierce’s patience was fraying. This was a big night for him – his first date with his mate. He wanted to enjoy every moment of it, and didn’t need his mood soured by having his past coming back to haunt him.

But it looked like Bonnie wasn’t going to let it go, and was still waiting for an answer.

“Where should I begin?” he asked, his brows creasing. “Are you trying to say you weren’t the one putting my name and number on Craigslist? Or that it was someone else that keyed my car?”

“What?” Bonnie scoffed. “You can’t actually believe I had something to do with any of those things.”

But her indignation was just a little off, her outrage just a shade too unconvincing for him to even entertain the idea of her telling the truth.

“Who else?” he countered.

“I don’t know, your friends could have been pranking you with the calls,” she replied, throwing up her hands.

Is she serious right now? Pierce couldn’t help but think.

“And they also decided to key my car?”

“That could have been an accident,” she insisted. “Maybe someone parked too close or…”

Pierce shook his head, a harsh laugh escaping his throat.

“Please, stop,” he said. “I don’t really care anymore. Now if you’ll excuse me…” he trailed off, turning his attention back to the street, looking for Tory.

“So you’re just going to ignore me?” Bonnie wouldn’t let up. “We had something real, and you won’t even talk to me anymore?”

Pierce didn’t even know what to say. Had he not made himself clear? He had no intention of wanting to hurt Bonnie, but she seemed to be putting a lot of importance on a relationship that only lasted for a few months.

“As I said, I hope you’re doing well,” he replied. “But this conversation is over.”

Bonnie’s eyes widened as she stared at him for a moment. But Pierce’s attention was already drawn to a familiar figure rounding the nearest corner, her scent hitting him like a punch to the gut.

Bonnie’s gaze followed his, but Pierce just stepped away from her and toward Tory, greeting her with a hug. In her long black dress, leather jacket and her hair down around her face, she looked different from how he was used to seeing her.

She smelled familiar though, and felt familiar in his arms, too.

“You showed,” he said, when he let her go.

“Worried I was going to stand you up?” she asked, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Just for a moment, there,” he replied.

He saw her gaze swing over his shoulder, and knew she had to be looking at Bonnie. They both turned toward the woman, and it was clear Bonnie was not happy. Well, that wasn’t Pierce’s problem anymore. And if Bonnie didn’t want to see him with someone else, she should have left when he made it clear there was nothing left to discuss.

“Hello,” Tory said tentatively, as Bonnie glared at them.

“Tory, this is…” Pierce started to explain, but Bonnie cut him off.

“No one important,” she said, turning on her heel and stomping away.

Tory blinked up at Pierce, and he couldn’t blame her for being confused. So was he, to be honest. What had Bonnie hoped to gain from their conversation? He didn’t know, and he wasn’t sure how to explain it all to Tory.

Nor did he really want to. This night was supposed to be about him and Tory.

“So, uh, what was that about?” Tory asked.

Pierce sighed, cursing his luck for running into Bonnie in the first place. But he knew he had to tell Tory something, lest she come to her own conclusions, or think he was hiding something.

“Come on,” he said, unable to resist wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll tell you inside.”