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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The last few days in London have been really wonderful. I knew my mum would love Tessa, but I was still a bit nervous to see how they got along. And I have to admit, I was nervous about seeing my mum again after so long. Having her be so proud of the man I've become means so much more to me than I ever realized.
I didn't tell Tessa, but I was dreading coming back to the house that's been the centre of so many of my nightmares. Now that Tessa has helped me create so many happy memories in this house with my mum, it actually feels like a home again.
Today is our last day in England and it's been relaxing so far. Tessa was so excited to show my mum all the photos she took while exploring London and my mum happily obliged. We even played some board games. I didn't think I'd enjoy acting like one of those families from those wholesome family friendly television shows, but I really did, more than I'll ever admit.
Now Tessa's helping my mum make us our last dinner together. I love my beautiful girl more than life itself, but I may have asked my mum to give Tessa a few tips on cooking.
"How's everything going in here?" I ask as I stroll into the kitchen.
"Great! Your mom is teaching me how to cook this vodka sauce!"
"And how much of the vodka did you drink straight from the bottle? You're just a little too happy about some pasta sauce." I chuckle.
"None..." Tessa swats at me. "I'm just excited to be learning something new."
"She's a great student." My mum smiles.
"I'll be the judge of that," I say and try to dip my finger into the sauce.
"Where are your manners, Hardin?" My mum smacks my hand away.
"I left them back in America." I shrug.
"You don't use them there, either!" Tessa giggles.
"Are you two ganging up on me again?"
"Hardin! Shush! I don't want to mess up dinner by burning it. Let me concentrate," Tessa huffs.
The phone starts to ring. "I have to get that. Tessa, will you be alright for a few minutes?" my mum asks.
"Yes, I'll be fine," Tessa replies happily.
"Okay, she's gone," I whisper. "Can I try the sauce now?"
"No." Tessa giggles.
"Please, baby?"
"Gosh! If you're going to beg..." Tessa rolls her eyes. She goes to grab a spoon, but I gently grab onto her wrist, stopping her.
"I think I know what would make it taste even better," I say seductively and guide her finger into the vodka sauce.
"Oh." Tessa blushes.
I lock eyes with her before bringing her finger to my mouth and slowly licking the sauce from it.
"H-how's it taste?" she asks, a bit flustered
"Like I can't get enough," I say, as my eyes pour into hers.
"Sorry about that!" My mum says as she walks back into the kitchen. She looks at both of us. "Did I interrupt something?" She laughs.
"N-no. I think the sauce is done," Tessa squeaks and I laugh to myself at how she still gets embarrassed over the smallest thing.
"Oh, good! I'm starving."
Tessa and my mum finish making dinner and I enjoy watching how proud Tessa is that she was able to make something edible for a change. I make sure to set the table before Tessa serves the finished product.
"Please, Hardin, no rude comments," Tessa begs.
I bite into the pasta and start to smile. "You really made this, baby?"
"Yes..." Tessa says sadly.
"It's really yummy."
"Really?" She perks up.
"Yes. It's delicious." I grin.
"Thank you." Tessa smiles brightly.
We finish our delicious dinner and after I help clean up the dishes, my mum gives Tessa the recipe so she can make it at home.
"Tess, we should go to bed soon," I suggest. "We have a really early flight."
"Okay. Thank you for teaching me that recipe tonight, Trish. I enjoyed cooking with you."
"It was my pleasure. Have a good sleep and I'll be up to say goodbye." My mum hugs us both before we head upstairs to bed.
When early morning comes, Tessa and I finish packing and getting ready for our long flight home.
It's almost time to say goodbye and I can tell how sad Tessa is. "Tess? Are you going to be okay?" I ask softly.
"Yes. It was just really nice to have a mom again." She sniffles.
"Come here, baby." I pull her close to my body and wrap my arms around her. "My mum absolutely loves you. She's going to come visit us and we'll come back here. You'll be sick of her soon enough." I chuckle.
"Hardin!" Tessa's voice is muffled as she speaks into my chest.
"For now, you'll just have to be happy with only having me around," I say as I twirl her blonde locks around my finger.
Tessa looks up at me. "I guess that doesn't sound too bad. I kind of like having you around," she teases and I kiss her forehead.
"Okay, let's go say goodbye to my mum. That should only take half an hour," I joke.
We carry our bags downstairs and my mum is already at the front door waiting to say goodbye to us. "I promised myself I wasn't going to cry." She sniffles.
"Mum... Not you, too..." I groan.
Tessa immediately runs into my mum's arms and my mum pulls her into a tight hug. "Now, don't be a stranger. Call me anytime if you ever need to talk. And make sure you let me know as soon as you get home safely. I don't care what time it is here."
"I will." Tessa sniffles. "Thank you for welcoming me into your family."
"It's your family, too, now." My mum smiles at Tessa and then turns to me. "I'm going to miss having my boy back so much!" She sniffles before wrapping her arms tightly around me. My mum whispers into my ear, "Tessa is lovely. Don't mess this up."
"No 'I love you'?" I chuckle.
She pulls back and licks her thumb before using it to wipe my face and then she brushes my hair off my forehead. "I'm so proud of the young man you've become. I love you, Hardin. Don't you be a stranger, either."
"I love you, mum," I whisper and feel my cheeks begin to warm.
As Tessa and I finally leave the house my mum shouts after us, "Have a safe flight! Call me when you're home!"
Tessa and I make it through security and onto the very long flight. At least this time there's no creepy, unpleasant man next to us.
Almost eleven hours later, we're finally back in our own home.
We're too tired to unpack, so we just change and get into bed. Tessa snuggles up next to me and I happily pull her even closer.
"Hardin?"
"Yes, baby?" I ask as I rub her back.
"Thank you for giving me the family I always dreamed of having."
"We're lucky to have you, my sweet, beautiful girl." I gently place a kiss on the top of Tessa's head before we both quickly fall asleep in each other's arms.
