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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Another week has gone by, but this week went much better for Tessa. She went to school, and even had a few shifts at the book store this week.
Neil was expelled from school. More girls also came forward about Neil, which will help Tessa's case against him.
I even called Emma. It was the first time speaking to her since our date five weeks ago. I called to ask her to look out for Tessa when I'm not around. I even apologized for my behaviour on our date. I was shocked when she accepted my apology. She told me it was water under the bridge. She understands I have eyes only for Tessa. She said she's never seen her happier and gave us her blessing.
It's Friday now and Tessa will have just finished with her yoga class. I'm waiting outside class so I can walk her to my car.
"Hardin!" Tessa squeals as she hugs me.
"Someone's in a good mood." I smile.
"I'm happy it's the weekend and we get to spend it together. Hopefully drama free. I've had enough drama to last me a lifetime."
"You can say that again," I say as I open the car door for her.
As I'm driving, Tessa tells me about her day. I'm so happy things are getting better for her at school.
I pull into the parking lot in front of Conner's.
"Hardin, what are we doing here? I thought we were going home."
"We're here to pick up supplies."
"Oh, like for dinner?"
"Nope!"
"What for then?" she asks as she furrows her brows.
"Well, I have a surprise for you."
"Okay..."
"Tomorrow is our one month anniversary and I'm taking you on a trip."
"We're going on a trip for a one month anniversary? Isn't that a little extreme?" she giggles.
"Maybe, but since when has our relationship been anything other than extreme?"
"Good point." She laughs. "So, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise."
"Hardin, I hate surprises! Just tell me."
"Nope. My lips are sealed."
"Are you sure there's no way I could persuade you to tell me?" she asks seductively as she moves her hand up my thigh, inching closer to the growing bulge in my pants.
"Tess..." I choke.
"Yes?" She smiles.
"You're playing a dangerous game. I might have to take you right here in this car."
"Hardin!"
"You started it." I laugh.
"You're really not going to tell me?"
"It's a surprise, Tessa! Now let's go buy some food and shit."
"Food and shit? How lovely." She laughs.
After walking around Conner's for almost two hours, we finally check out and bring our bags to the car.
"Why did we buy so much food? How long are we going away for?" Tessa asks.
"The whole week."
"A week?!"
"Yeah. It's perfect. We're on break from school next week anyway."
"Hardin, first you spring this trip on me, now you tell me we're going for a week... I think we should put this off and go another time, you know, when we can plan it better."
"You mean when you can take control and obsessively plan every detail yourself?"
"No, that's not what I mean..."
"Yes it is. I know you so well. We're going. End of discussion."
"There was no discussion," she huffs.
"Come on, Tess. Don't be difficult. I worked really hard at planning this trip. I know you'll love it. And let's be honest... we both need to get away from this town. So much has happened and we need time, just us, to heal."
"You're right about that," she says as she looks down at her fidgeting hands.
"So, we can go?"
"Okay, you win," she says with a growing smile.
"Thank you, baby. You won't regret it," I say and then kiss her soft lips. "Let's go home and pack."
When we get to the apartment, I put the food on the counter and Tessa goes to pack for the trip.
"Oh, Tess?"
"Yes?"
"Make sure you pack a fancy dress, too."
"What? Why?"
"Tessa..." I whine. "It's a surprise!"
"Okay, okay!" she throws her hands up and then goes to the bedroom to pack.
I go to the bedroom after a few moments to pack, too.
"Okay, we better get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day," I say. I'm so excited to bring Tessa on this trip with me. I know she's going to love it. "Goodnight, Tess. I love you," I say as I kiss her and hold her close to me.
"Goodnight, Hardin. I love you," she says and we both drift off to sleep.
