More Than Friends

Part 153 (Hardin)

"Okay, Tess, let's talk," I say and gently take her hand in mine.

"Okay," she whispers.

I pull Tessa into the bedroom before saying anything to her.

"Hardin, why are we in here? I thought you were going to tell me what you've been hiding."

"I'd rather show you, Tess."

"Show me what, Hardin?" Tessa asks impatiently.

I gently place her hands on the hem of my shirt and give her an encouraging nod.

She slowly lifts my shirt up my stomach and chest before taking it off completely. "Hardin..." she gasps.

"What do you think, Tess?"

"It's... beautiful," she whispers as she traces her fingers over my new tattoo.

"So, you like it?"

"I love it. Your tattoo is just like my infinity tattoo. And you put my name in it?" she asks as she continues to trace my ink with her fingertips.

"I hope you don't mind that I got a matching tattoo to yours."

"No... I just can't believe this. And you got it over your heart?"

"Of course. My heart will always belong to you and only you." I watch as Tessa starts to cry. I lift her so she's sitting on the dresser and gently wipe away her tears as I cup her cheeks. "Baby, why are you crying? Are you upset I got this tattoo?"

"N-no." She sniffles.

"Then what's wrong?"

"These are happy tears." She continues to sniffle.

"Oh." I quietly chuckle. "You had me worried."

"Is this what you were doing that day you lied about going to work?"

"Yes. I wanted it to be healed by my birthday, so I could show you. It was my birthday present to myself."

"So, this is why you wouldn't change in front of me and needed to keep locking the door? And why you wouldn't touch me or let me touch you?"

"I admit, I didn't think it through." I chuckle. "As soon as you touched me, I realized I couldn't do anything with you that would lead to my shirt being taken off."

"Gosh, Hardin, I thought you didn't want me anymore."

"I'm so sorry, baby. I was just so excited to get the tattoo and didn't realize how my strange behaviour would look to you. It wasn't my smartest move." I chuckle.

"No, it wasn't." She quietly laughs through her tears. "But that still doesn't explain the woman's number in your pocket."

"That was the phone number to Drew's tattoo parlour. He got a new number, so I had to write it down. His wife works the front desk. I'm sure that's who answered when you called."

"Oh, okay. But wait... What about all those hearts someone drew on the paper?"

"That was me. I was trying to draw a heart for my new tattoo. I was going to get a heart on my chest and write your name in it, but then Drew suggested I get a matching one to yours."

"You have no idea how upset I've been over this, Hardin."

"I had no idea you found that number, baby. I'm so sorry for all the worry I caused you."

"I know you are." She sniffles. "I really do love the tattoo."

"I hope so."

"It's the most romantic and sweetest thing you could have done."