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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Monday morning I drive to school with Hardin, go to my morning classes, then meet Emma for lunch.
"Tessa!" Emma shouts as she waves me over.
"Hi, Em-" I'm interrupted as she gives me a hug.
"I was so worried about you!"
"What? Why?"
"Hardin didn't tell you?" she asks as we both sit down.
"What didn't he tell me now?" I sigh.
"It's nothing bad. He was so worried about you Saturday night he called me, and a few other people, to see if we could go to your apartment and check on you."
"Really? I know he was worried, but he never mentioned that."
"I felt so bad for him, he was frantic with worry."
"Oh," I say as I frown.
"He let me know you were okay, but he never said what was wrong in the first place."
"I got a call this weekend that I have to testify at Neil's trial soon. I had a hard time dealing with it, so I had a little too much to drink and that's why I wasn't answering Hardin."
"Oh, Tessa... Come here." Emma gives me a warm hug.
"Hardin was really supportive and helped me get through this weekend."
"You know I'm here for you, too, right?"
"Of course, thank you."
"Hardin is really becoming a man worthy of you, Tessa. I hope I can find someone who loves me like he loves you. I'm so jealous."
"What are you jealous of? Did Tessa tell you the good news?" Hardin asks as he walks up to us.
"Good news?" Emma asks curiously.
"No... I was just telling her about the trial and she told me you called everyone to see if they could check on me Saturday night. Why do you keep these things secret, Hardin?"
"I don't know." He shrugs.
"You're so sweet!" I say as I get up to give him a hug and a kiss.
"Okay, you two lovebirds, what's the good news?" Emma asks impatiently.
"Tess and I are engaged!" Hardin exclaims.
"What?!" Emma asks in shock.
"We're not... engaged," I say.
"Okay, now I'm confused," Emma says.
"Tessa agreed to marry me after we made love last night. I'd say we're engaged," Hardin boasts.
"Oh my gosh!" I scream as I cover my face in embarrassment.
"Okay, that was a little more than I needed to know, but congratulations?" Emma laughs.
"We're not engaged!" I shout. "I agreed to marry Hardin... eventually, but I'm not getting an engagement ring yet," I explain.
"You two really like to do things the hard way, don't you?" Emma laughs again.
"See? Emma thinks we should just get engaged with a ring and everything. It would be much easier to explain when we tell people." Hardin smirks.
"We're not telling people, Hardin! You're impossible!" I groan.
"Okay... I think I'll let you two have this fight in private. Remember Tessa, I'm here if you need to talk. Good luck, Hardin," Emma laughs as she leaves.
"Why must you do that, Hardin?"
"Do what?"
"You keep embarrassing me in front of Emma when you talk about our sex life!"
"You said you tell each other everything." He shrugs.
"Yeah, but it's different when we're talking about it in front of you. Just don't do it anymore!"
"Sorry for being proud that you're mine."
"I know you are," I say as I take his hands in mine. "But could you filter what you say from now on, please?"
"I thought you liked my edge," he says as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
"I do, so much. You can keep the swearing if you want, but lose the part where you openly tell everyone about our sex life?"
"I'll try," he sighs.
"Hardin!"
"I will try, Tessa."
"Thank you."
"It's going to be hard to keep it to myself the next time we have a totally amazing, mind blowing, passionate night of love making," he chuckles.
"I hate you," I say with a smile.
"And I love you," he says before kissing me.
"I really do!" I giggle.
"Then I guess no totally amazing, mind blowing, passionate night of love making for you tonight!" he chuckles again.
"Just walk me to my next class, Mr. Scott," I say as I hook my arm through his.
