Another Love (Hessa)

Part 9 - Too Late

Tessa

I get up and I go to my closet and I take out my floral dress. I quickly get dressed and I put my sandals on. I put my hair in a messy bun and I go downstairs. As I see Hardin, I start to smile. Why he makes me smile?

"Hi, Tess!"

"Hi."

"Should we go?"

"Yep. I am ready."

Carol: "'Have fun, kids!" She smiles as she walks us to the door.

Tessa: "Thanks mom." We leave my house and at some point, I feel Hardin's hand on my lower back. If anyone else was in Hardin's place, I would complain. But I feel safe with him. And his hand on my body doesn't bother me. "Where are you taking me?"

"McDonald's?"

"Sounds great!" I smile and he helps me to get in his car.

Hardin starts the car and he drive to McDonald's. He parks the car and I spot Noah's friends outside. Shit.

"Hardin?"

"Yes?"

"Can you buy a take away? Noah's friends are there and I don't want to see them. I'm sure that if they will see me with you, they will share this with Noah."

"Are embarrassed with me?"

"No, no, no! I had a talk with Noah this morning and... We decided to have a break." I won't tell him that this break is more like a break-up because of him. "I just don't want this..."

"You didn't explain him that we are just friends?"

"I did. But he made me to choose between you and him... And this is bothering me. That's why I decided to have a break."

"This means that he doesn't deserve you."

"Can we stop talking about this?"

"No. But I'm going to buy some food for us, then we can continue our talk."

"Deal."

He leaves the car and he goes to buy some food for us. After 15 minutes he's back.

"I know you don't like the beef hamburger, so I bought you a Spicy Deluxe Crispy Chicken Sandwich, fries and a diet coke." He gives me my food. "I hope your taste didn't change in the last years."

"Nope. Thanks." I smile and I open the bag.

We eat in silence and I see him looking at me.

"I have something on my face?"

"A little bit of sauce under you bottom lip. Let me clean if for you." He wipes off the sauce and he looks deep into my eyes. Don't do this... I'm not ready to fall in love with you. It's too late to say something because Hardin has his lips on mine and I can't stop him. In this moment I am too selfish to think about the people around me. I will live the moment, I won't give a fuck about Noah or what the other will say. "I'm sorry." He says when he pulls back. The kiss was intense and I enjoyed it.

"You don't have to be sorry. I liked it."

"You did?"

"Yeah..."

"I know it was an inappropriate gesture because you broke up with him..." He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I don't know if I loved him more than a friend."

"It's totally fine, Tess." He cups my cheek with his hand.

"It's hard for me. I still have feelings for you, but I know it's too soon for full forgiveness."