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...
The next day we go to school and I try not to act weird around Tessa, but I can't help myself. I'm constantly worried about her.
I spend the day trying to carry her books for her, force feed her healthy food while Emma gives me funny looks, and get her to skip yoga and go home early.
After a very stressful day of worrying about Tessa and our baby, I finally get to take them home. "How was your day, Tess?" I ask as I drive home.
"It was good, aside from your very odd behaviour. What's with you lately? Are you afraid we're going to break up again? I promise that won't happen, Hardin. I love you so much."
"I know, baby... I mean Tess..."
"You're still doing it."
"Doing what?"
"Acting weird."
"I'm not." Fuck, I really am.
"Okay..."
Once we're home, I try to calm down. Tessa is onto me and I still want her to tell me about the baby on her terms. I don't want to take that moment away from her. I try to keep my distance from Tessa until dinner time.
"What do you want for dinner, Tess? You name it and I'll go get it."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"Well, I am craving a burger and fries from Blind Bob's."
"Okay, no problem. I'll be back soon." I kiss her and turn to leave.
"No ketchup!"
"I know," I chuckle and close the door behind me.
As I'm about to go into Bob's to pick up our order, something catches my eye in the store next to it. It's a teddy bear that would be a perfect way to tell Tessa I'm happy about her having our baby. I go in and buy it, then pick up our food and head back home.
"Did someone order a burger and fries?" I ask as I enter the apartment.
"I'm starving!"
"Dig in!"
After dinner, I curl up on the couch with Tessa and there's something about the way I'm holding her that makes me realize I can't keep this secret any longer. I unwrap my arms from her and get up to retrieve the teddy bear, so I can give it to her.
"Where are you going?"
"I have something for you."
"You do?"
"Here." I hand her the bag with the teddy bear in it.
I watch as Tessa opens it. "It's adorable, Hardin! Thank you," she says as she kisses my cheek.
"And Tess, I was thinking we could turn the spare bedroom into a nursery."
"Why would we do that?!"
"For the baby..."
"What baby?"
"Our baby."
"We have a baby?"
"It's okay, Tessa. I know."
"You know what?"
"I heard you and Emma talking about the baby... our baby," I say as I place my hand on her stomach.
"What exactly did you hear?" She scrunches her eyebrows.
"You were telling her you were afraid to tell me because you didn't think I liked children."
"Hardin, I'm not pregnant. I was talking about how Kimberly needs me to babysit her son on Friday night."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. That's what you get for eavesdropping!"
"Wow."
"So, you're telling me that for two days you thought I was pregnant and you didn't go running for the hills?"
"Tessa, I would never abandon you."
"That's why you were acting so weird!"
"Yes. I actually started to love the idea of having a family with you."
"Oh, no! No, no, no!" she screams as she backs away from me.
"Come on, Tess, make a baby with me." I reach for her.
"Hardin! You're crazy!" she laughs as I wrap my arms around her.
"Doesn't having a little Tessa running around here sound adorable?" I say into her ear as I hug her tightly.
"Yes, but only because the thought of having a little Hardin running around here terrifies me!"
I can't help but let out a laugh. "True! Come on, baby, let's go make a baby." I nuzzle into her neck.
"Nuh-uh!" she shrieks and then runs into the bedroom and locks the door.
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