Before He Lied

Tessa Chapter 85

⚠️SENSITIVE WORDS⚠️

This is so strange, I've never experienced this before. So many people and lights, question after question.

He's handling it so well.

"Uh, the book releases in a week. We are in our final stages of editing." He says calmly.

I feel him slowly reach for my hand under the table and lace his fingers with mine, I try to contain my smile.

I just can't believe this is happening.

"Hardin we are all dying to know the plot of your book?" The reporter asks.

I look at Hardin because I am curious too, he hasn't even told me anything about the book.

He looks puzzled, he takes a second to answer the questions.

"It's a love story, a real love story. It has real problems and betrayal...........it's unique." She says hesitantly.

A love story? Hardin wrote and published a romance novel? The man who's hates love and despises emotions wrote a love story?

The crowd chatters and so many people yall at once I can barley hear myself think.

"What is the title of this novel?" Someone in the crowd screams.

Hardin clears his throat before he speaks into the microphone.

"It's call It Wasn't A Lie."

Wow.

"What inspired you to write this story? Who's that girl with you? Are you married? Is the story about your love story with her? How long have you been together? What's her name? How........"

I can sense his anxiety, he hates this. Steve notices Hardins discomfort too, he takes the microphone.

"Ok everyone, thank you so much for coming. The book signing date will be announced soon, much appreciation to everyone here."

Hardin stands up so fast and pulls me out of the room, we walk into an empty hallway and he pulls me into a storage room.

"Hardin baby what's wrong."

He starts hyperventilating.

"I..........I........I can't breathe." He manages to say.

I don't know what to do, or how to help.

"Oh my god, ok, your having an anxiety attack.............just breathe baby, breathe..........match your breathing to mine."
I say softly.

We both take a deep breath together and exhale slowly.

I inhale slowly and so does he, when I exhale he does as well.

I gently place my hand on his face and graze my thumb across his cheek.

We take a few more breaths before he pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms so tightly around me I can't move.

"Thank you baby." He whispers into my neck.

"Of course."

I gently place my hands on his back while my face rests on his chest, I feel him kiss my neck. I slowly look up at him.

"Are you ok?" I ask.

He just looks down at me.

"What do you wanna do?" I ask.

"Home.........I wanna go home Tess."

I nod my head.

"Let's go."