𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐬.

Chapter thirty five.

Tessa

The moment I saw the picnic area set up, my breath caught in my chest and a warmth spread through my body. Hardin had remembered how much I loved picnics. My cheeks heated thinking back to past picnics...

"Hardin, this is all so amazing. I have to say though, with age comes better picnics!"

He laughed while taking out the plastic plates and silverware. My heart was beating faster simply from watching him. I loved how he took so much care planning this day. From shopping at a store I had been longing to go to, to setting up the perfect picnic. Right down to the movie later.

"Ma's fried chicken. Your favorite."

As if on cue, my stomach growled, and we both let out a chuckle.

"Fresh fruit. Yogurt dip, the kind Vivian makes. I had to call her and ask for the recipe. Chloe helped make it last night for our 'special date' as she kept calling it."

I smiled as my chest fluttered. "She's so precious, Hardin. You've done an amazing job raising her so far."

He stopped what he was doing and focused on me. "She loves you, Tess. When we were mixing up the dip last night, she told me her biggest hope was for you to be her mommy."

My vision started to blur as happiness coursed through my body. "What...what did you say to her?"

"That I wanted that too. More than anything."

His words overwhelmed me with joy. I couldn't help but grin like a silly fool. "I want that too. I love her also, Hardin, as if she was my own daughter."

Hardin wiped my tears away with his thumb. "Thank you for loving her, Tess. You're an incredible woman, and I'm so thankful to know that you're in Chloe's life."

Oh dear.

My heart was hammering in my chest. A mixture of excitement, happiness, and fear swirled together. I longed for the day when Chloe called me something other than Tessa. Or when she came to me for advice. It also scared the crap out of me.

Hardin had made it very clear that Chloe's mom was completely out of the picture. Would Chloe grow to resent me? Think I was the reason her mother gave her up?

"Stop overthinking whatever it is you're overthinking, Tess."

My head snapped up. "Huh?"

Hardin poured a glass of champagne and handed it to me.

"You're overthinking something. I can see it on your face."

I gave him a weak grin. "You don't think Chloe will ever resent me, do you?"

He pulled his head back in surprise. "What on earth for?"

With a half shrug, I replied, "I don't know. Maybe she'll think I'm the reason her mother gave her up?"

Hardin reached for my hands. The way his thumb slid over the top of my hand made my skin feel on fire.