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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"Morning, sleepyhead," I say as I notice Hardin start to stir in the bed.
"Please tell me I did not actually fall asleep before you gave me my other surprise," Hardin groans in a sleepy voice.
"You certainly did." I giggle.
"Tessa..." he whines.
"You must have been really tired!"
"Give it to me now?"
"Sorry, we don't have time now."
"Tessa!" Hardin whines louder.
"Get up! We have lots to do today."
"Was it going to be sex?"
"You'll never know now," I tease.
"You're a very cruel woman," Hardin says as he rolls over.
"Come on, Hardin! I want to go shopping before our next activity."
"No..."
"Yes!"
"See? Cruel."
"Oh, stop being so grumpy. Maybe you'll get lucky tonight... if you can stay awake long enough." I giggle.
"I'm awake now. How about a quick ride?"
"You know, you're just so romantic, I think I'm falling in love with you all over again." I roll my eyes.
"Come on, Tess... What was my surprise going to be last night?"
"You'll just have to wait until later to find out."
"I know! You were going to tell me you're pregnant!"
"Get up! We're leaving in ten minutes."
Twenty minutes later, Hardin is finally ready and we drive to some of the cute little shops I've been dying to visit.
"Let's start with this one!" I say excitedly and drag Hardin inside with me. I immediately start looking at all the cute trinkets they have. I continue walking down the aisle until I come to a section with decorations for the house. "Hardin! Look at all these cute cushions!"
"Tessa, if you buy any more of those things, we could open our own pillow store."
"Fine..." I sigh and keep walking down the aisle.
"Tess, I'm going to go see if I can find us something to eat for lunch later. I'll meet you back at the car when you're done."
"Oh, okay, Hardin. I'm going to take my time, though!"
"I know, I know." He chuckles before kissing me and leaving.
After Hardin leaves, the cutest sign catches my eye and I rush over to get a better look. It's the most adorable 'Home Sweet Home' sign. The words are embroidered in purple underneath a cozy little house, with pink hearts replacing the 'O's in home. I make sure to take it with me as I finish looking around the rest of the store.
After fifteen more minutes of shopping, I finally make my way to the cashier with the sign, some candles, a vase and a couple picture frames. Hardin is going to complain about all this stuff, but oh well. He shouldn't have left me alone in the store.
I head toward Hardin's car and notice him coming out of a shop on the corner. He walks toward me with a pretty red bag with white hearts all over it. "Have you been waiting long?" he asks me.
"Um, no... I just got here. What's that in your hand?" I ask with an excited expression.
"Oh, this?" he asks as he dangles the bag in front of me.
"Yes, that!" I try to reach for the bag, but he quickly pulls it away.
"It might be a Valentine's gift for a certain beautiful blonde girl I'm engaged to."
"Can I see?"
"No." He laughs. "You'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Please!" I pout.
"That's not going to work on me."
"Oh, yes it is! So, let's just save us both some time and give me the gift now."
"Nice try, baby." He chuckles before we both get into the car. "Here, you can have this now." Hardin passes me a fast food bag and I shovel a few fries into my mouth as he asks what I bought.
"Do you promise not to complain?"
"That's never a good sign." He sighs.
"Oh, shush! Look! I got these candles, frames and this vase. Oh! I also bought this sign. I'm going to give it to Betty. I think she'll really love it. What do you think?"
"I think you're the sweetest, Tess. And yes, she'll love it."
While we drive back, I continue to eat my lunch straight from the bag.
"Leave some for me, Tess?" Hardin chuckles.
"Sorry," I mumble with a mouth full of fries.
"Aw, it's okay, baby. After all, you are eating for two."
"Hardin! Stop that! That's not what your surprise was going to be."
"Prove it! Tell me what it was."
"No! You'll get another chance later. Now, just drive or else I'll eat all your fries and your burger," I threaten.
"I don't think you'll want to do that. It has ketchup on it." He smirks.
"I don't care! That's how much you're annoying me right now."
"Wow. You're moody. It must be the pregnancy hormones."
I throw a fry at Hardin's head.
"I love you, Tess, but no one gets greasy fries on my car and lives to tell the tale."
"Now who's moody?" I ask and stick out my tongue at him.
"I know what might put me in a better mood," Hardin says seductively and runs his hand up my thigh.
"I do, too— our next activity. It starts soon!"
"That's not exactly what I had in mind," he groans.
"Well, if you give it a chance, you might actually enjoy yourself."
"What are we doing this time?"
"You'll see!"
"You and your surprises."
"You're one to talk!" I say and point to my Valentine's gift.
We finally pull into the parking lot and I rush to get out. I don't want to be late.
"Shit, I forgot your gift in the car. I'll meet you upstairs, Tess."
"Okay, Hardin, but don't be too long! I'm really excited about today's activity," I say before rushing upstairs with my shopping bag and what's left of our food.
