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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It's been a week since our wonderful Christmas, first with Emma, then with just the two of us. It's New Year's Eve tonight and I have plans for us... Hardin just doesn't know it yet.
"Morning, baby," Hardin says as he kisses me on the cheek as I'm lost in thought while standing next to the coffee maker. "Why'd you get out of bed so early? I missed cuddling with you."
"You mean you missed your chance at trying to get me to have morning sex with you," I joke.
"Well, that, too." He chuckles.
"Actually, I was on the phone this morning."
"Oh. Who with?"
"Um... Steph."
"Oh... What did she want?"
"Actually, she wanted to invite me to a party tonight. She said she misses me and wants all of us to hang out."
"And where is this party, Tessa?" Hardin asks in an irritated tone.
"Um... the frat house," I mumble under my breath.
"Where?" he asks impatiently.
"It's at the frat house, okay?!"
"You've got to be fucking kidding me, Tessa."
"Hardin—"
"No."
"But Hardin—"
"No."
"Will you just listen to me, you infuriating man?!"
"Tessa, who lives at the frat house?"
"Um..."
"Who, Tessa?"
"Zed! I know, but—"
"There's no way in hell you are going to that frat house with him there, especially after what happened in his room between the two of you," Hardin says angrily while clenching his fists.
"Hardin, nothing happened between us. I know I was a heartbroken mess that night, but you know nothing happened."
"Tessa, you almost fucked him!"
"Hardin, stop. I thought we've moved past this. I'm marrying you and he's never going to be a part of my life again."
"Good. Then it's decided. We're not going tonight."
"Can I talk now?"
Hardin stares at me, but doesn't say anything.
"Steph said Zed is out of town for the holidays."
"Even if that was true, it doesn't change a damn thing. We're still not going."
"Hardin, Emma and Nate will be there, too, and Nate said the same thing."
"Tessa..."
"I really want to go."
"Why is this so important to you?"
"I miss Steph. I pretty much just abandoned her to come live here with you and I want to see her again."
"Tessa, I really think this is a bad idea."
"And we'll have a chance to hang out with Emma and Nate."
"Tessa..." he whines.
"And when Emma and I are with Steph, you can get reacquainted with Nate. You could use another friend!"
"I already have two. I don't need three. I don't even like people."
"Hardin, I'm going with or without you."
"Of course you are! I wouldn't expect anything less from my very, very stubborn fiancée." He sighs.
"So, you can either come with me, or you can sit at home stewing all night."
"If we go... you're going to stay away from anyone and everyone who isn't Emma, Nate or Steph," he warns.
"That sounds an awful lot like a command, Hardin," I say and cross my arms over my chest.
"Tessa... You know, better than anyone, the kind of shit Zed has caused us."
"I know, Hardin. He won't be there. And Hardin..." I begin to say, making sure to look directly into Hardin's eyes. "I'm with you. I'm in love with you. I'm marrying you. Zed isn't going to be a part of our lives ever again, okay?"
"Tess..." Hardin says, much softer this time.
"Okay?"
"How do you always manage to get your way, Theresa?" he asks with humour in his eyes.
"Gee, Hardin, it's like I don't know anything about someone trying to get their way with, let's say... sex," I say while raising my eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, but that's fun for both of us," he teases.
"This can be, too. We'll all have a great time. I promise."
"I'm going to bold and underline the part of our wedding vows where you promise to obey me," he says while pulling me into a hug.
"Hardin! I hope you're joking." I pull away to look up at him.
"Of course I am. Kinda..." He chuckles.
"Well, they got rid of that part, anyway! But if you're not careful, I might make a rule stating no sex before marriage." I shoot him a smug smile.
"You don't fight fair, baby." He chuckles.
I take Hardin's hands in mine. "Hardin, I love you. I just want us to have fun tonight doing normal college student things, like going to New Year's Eve parties."
"And you're sure Zed won't be there?"
"Yes."
"Fine, Tessa." He sighs.
"Yay!" I chirp and excitedly clap my hands. "And you promise to try to have fun and behave yourself?"
"I can only do one of those at a time, baby."
"Hardin..." I roll my eyes. "I'm going to go pick out my outfit now! Thank you!" I give Hardin a big kiss before rushing to the bedroom.
"Don't wear anything too revealing!"
"Is that another command?" I yell from the bedroom before slamming the door on Hardin.
