Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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"Where should I put the bags?" Hardin asks.
"Somewhere clean." I cringe.
"Yeah... So where should I put the bags?" he repeats and makes a disgusted face.
"I'm sorry, you guys. This is all my fault," Emma says sadly.
"Everything's okay, Emma. This is still better than leaving you with Dan." Hardin sighs.
"Is it okay if I use the bathroom first? I'm sure my eyes are all red and puffy from crying," Emma asks.
"Go ahead, Emma," I say gently. "Just try not to touch anything!" I add.
After a few minutes, Emma comes out of the bathroom. "That bathroom is disgusting." She scrunches her nose in disgust.
"I think I'm going to sleep in my clothes tonight," I say.
"I think I'm going to sleep in my shoes tonight," Hardin says.
"How are you feeling, Emma?" I ask with concern.
"A little better. Thank you both for everything you've done for me. I love you guys for caring about me so much."
"We'll always be here for you." I smile. "Now... what are we going to do about the sleeping arrangements?"
"You both can take the bed and I'll take the couch," Hardin suggests.
"Thank you, Hardin. I think I'm ready for bed now. Tessa, is it okay if you stay with me until I fall asleep?"
"Of course, Emma!"
"I'm going to use the bathroom for a minute. Goodnight Emma. Things will look better in the morning," Hardin says before going into the bathroom.
I lie with Emma until she finally falls asleep, then get up and knock on the bathroom door. "Hardin? Can I come in?"
"Yes, Tess," he whispers.
"Hardin, I'm going to clean up your knuckles now. No arguments." I put a cloth under some warm running water, add a little soap, then start to wash Hardin's hands.
"This brings back some memories," he quietly chuckles.
"Yeah. I seem to remember telling you not to make this a habit."
"Yet, here you are, still taking care of me," he says before placing a kiss on my forehead.
"And you know I always will."
I finish cleaning his hands and then we both leave the bathroom.
"It's going to be weird not sleeping with you tonight, Tess."
"I know. The last time we slept separately was when you came home to a drunken girlfriend," I say sadly.
"Come here, baby," he begs as he opens his arms for me.
I wrap my arms around his waist as he brings me to his chest and hugs me tightly. "I love you," I say into his chest.
"I love you, baby. Try to get some sleep." Hardin curls up on the couch and I feel really bad for him. He's taller than the couch and his feet hang over the arm of it. I know he must be so uncomfortable.
After a few minutes I decide there is no way I'm sleeping without Hardin, so I walk over to the couch and curl up on it with him. It's a very small couch, and there's barely room for both of us, but I press my back against his chest as I snuggle up with him.
"Tess? What are you doing?" he asks after I startle him.
"I'm not leaving you tonight. I know you need me."
"Thank you, baby," he says and then wraps his arm around me and laces his fingers through mine.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm better now."
"Do you think Emma is going to be okay?"
"Yes."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because she has us."
"Hardin, you're such a caring, loving man and I'm so thankful I'm the girl you decided you want to spend your life with."
"Tess, I'm thankful for every day I get to hold you, kiss you, love you..."
"Hardin..." I breathe.
"Thank you for once again dragging me out of the darkness, my beautiful girl."
"I'll always be your light, Hardin."
Hardin and I lie in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying being close to each other after so much has happened.
"Hardin, we can't let Emma go back to an empty home for Christmas."
"I know, baby. She can stay with us."
"Thank you. Sometimes I feel guilty for being happy when she's not."
"That's because you're a good person, Tess. But she'll find happiness, too. She's met a lot of losers lately, but she'll find someone who's perfect for her. Just like I found you."
"Hardin... I can't believe you're the same guy I set her up with for that double date. You were so rude to her. I thought for sure she was going to stop being my friend because of you. Now look at you, treating her like she's your friend, too. I'm so proud of your progress."
"She is my friend. I needed a new one after I got rid of Zed," he jokes.
"Look at you having two friends now." I giggle.
"Keep that up, baby, and it'll be back to one," he teases as he nuzzles into my neck.
"Hardin! That tickles!" I giggle.
"Shhh! You don't want to wake her. I can't wait to have you all to myself again. The things I'm going to do to you..."
"Oh..." I say quietly.
"But for now, we should try to get some sleep. Goodnight, Tess. I love you." Hardin kisses the top of my head as we spoon on the small, ugly couch.
