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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
After I knock on the door, Nate answers after only a few seconds. "Hey! We're glad you could make it! Come in! Come in!"
Hardin and I walk through the door and are greeted by the most delicious smell.
"By the way, Tessa, you look great tonight," Nate says politely.
"Whoa... Slow down there, Nate. Don't you have your own fiancée you should be complimenting?" Hardin asks with more than a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Hardin!" I scold as I swat at his arm.
Nate laughs. "Yes, I do. And she's been busy in the kitchen all day. She's really excited about playing hostess tonight." He chuckles.
"Sounds just like Tessa." Hardin laughs.
"Tessa! Hardin!" Emma squeals as she bursts through the kitchen door. She bolts toward me and squeezes me tightly before moving on to giving Hardin a huge hug.
"Whoa, Emma, did you get started on drinking the wine a little early?" Hardin jokes.
"Hardin!" I scold again. "That's already two strikes."
"It's fine, Tessa." Emma laughs. "Hardin's just not used to seeing me this happy."
"Well, whatever it is, it's nice to see you smiling," Hardin says and my heart melts a little at his kind words toward my best friend.
"Oh, I almost forgot! These are for you guys! It's a house warming gift," I explain as I pass Emma the gift bag. "We also brought some wine."
"You didn't have to bring anything, but thank you." She smiles and starts to dig through the bag. "How cute is this pillow?!" she squeals. "And this sign! I can't help but think you're hinting that I'm messy." She laughs. "Look, Nate!" Emma says as she shows Nate the sign I bought.
"'Bless This Mess'? That's perfect for you, Em." He laughs.
"Oh, and this photo! We all look so great together!" Emma beams. "Thank you guys for all this wonderful stuff."
"So... when's dinner? I'm starving. I haven't had a good home cooked meal since... Christmas, when you made us dinner," Hardin says impatiently.
"Hardin, I cook you dinner all the time!"
"Oh, yeah... I know, Tess, but... um..."
"Oh! You're such a jerk! That's it! That's three strikes! I'm sending you to bed without any dessert tonight," I threaten.
"Oh, baby, but I was really looking forward to... dessert tonight," Hardin says seductively and starts running his fingers up my arm as Emma and Nate shoot each other confused looks.
I feel myself turning red as they realize what Hardin's hinting at.
"Okay, then!" Emma laughs, trying to change the subject. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, so you guys should take your seats."
After we sit down at the dinner table, Emma brings out the most delicious looking roast, along with potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls and vegetables.
"Wow! You've out done yourself. Everything looks and smells divine!" I compliment Emma. "Right, Hardin?" I look over at Hardin and he already has a full plate and a mouth full of food.
"Mmm-hmm," he mumbles.
"Well, isn't that sweet of you, Hardin." Emma giggles.
"Sorry for my rude fiancé," I apologize as I narrow my eyes at Hardin.
"Don't worry about it. I think Nate's only with me because of my cooking, too." Emma giggles.
"That's not true! I love everything about you, Em. Although, your cleaning and organizing skills could use some work," Nate teases and Emma rolls her eyes.
I pour three glasses of the wine we brought, while Hardin has a glass of water, and I propose a toast to celebrate Emma and Nate's engagement.
As we eat the delicious dinner Emma prepared, we talk about the details of how Nate proposed, a trip they're thinking of going on for Spring Break and we make plans to have another get together soon. Hardin doesn't include himself in much of the conversation, but he does compliment Emma on dinner... several times, as well as how nice her apartment is.
After dinner, I help Emma clear the table, while Hardin and Nate talk about cars.
As we're cutting the apple pie Emma made and putting it onto plates, Emma says, "It's nice to see you happy again, Tessa. Are you feeling better after all that stuff with your mother?"
"I am. I had a rough morning, but as usual, Hardin came to my rescue and we talked it out. I feel much better about things now."
"I'm so glad you have each other. You guys are perfect together."
I start to blush. "So... you know how we were talking about your bachelorette party the other day? I was thinking we should—"
"Bachelorette party?!" Hardin booms from behind me.
"Hardin! You scared me."
"Oh, no! You're not going to some bachelorette party, so you can watch a bunch of naked guys dance around."
"Hardin—"
"No way in hell!"
"Hardin..."
"No, Tessa! End of discussion," Hardin growls before leaving the kitchen.
"Tessa, why didn't you tell him I'm not having strippers at my party?" Emma giggles.
"Well, I tried." I shrug. "Besides, a little jealousy will keep him on his toes." I laugh along with Emma.
Emma and I serve the dessert and as we eat, I notice how clingy Hardin's become. He's moved his chair closer to me, he's holding my hand under the table, he offers me some of his pie and vanilla ice cream and he hasn't taken his eyes off of me. I knew a little jealousy would do him good.
After we finish our dessert, it's really late, so we decide to call it a night.
"Thank you guys for having us. The food was amazing, but the company was even better." I smile brightly.
"We can't wait until next time!" Emma says happily as we walk out the door.
"Come here, baby," Hardin beckons as he possessively wraps his arm around me as we get off the elevator and walk through the building to our car. "You know, Tess... you don't have to go to some bachelorette party if you want to see a naked guy."
"Um, Hardin... I have something to tell—"
"Tonight I'm going to show you why I'm the only guy you're ever going to need or want. I'm going to remind you why you're marrying me. And most importantly, I'm going to make sure you understand that you're only for me."
I decide against telling Hardin the truth about the bachelorette party for now. I'm enjoying the way he's become extra protective of me since he heard Emma and me talking in the kitchen. And to be honest, because of his words and the way he's acting possessive of me, I can feel electricity shooting through my body at the thought of him reminding me how I'm only for him.
As we drive home, I can tell how eager Hardin is to show me I'm his and only his. And I'm just as eager to let him.
