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...
Three weeks have passed and Tessa started to become more anxious as the trial got closer. I tried to be there for her. I listened to her, I reassured her and I held her.
Unfortunately, sometimes I can still hear Tessa crying in the bathroom when she thinks I can't hear her. It kills me that I can't take away her pain.
I'm lying in bed with Tessa Friday night, trying to help calm her because Neil's trial is tomorrow. "Tess, are you feeling okay?" I ask as I wrap my arm around her back and bring her closer to my chest.
Tessa doesn't say anything and instead silently traces my tree tattoo.
"Tess? Do you want to talk about tomorrow?"
"Um... are you sure you still want to come?"
"Of course! I'll only leave your side when they force me to."
"Because it's okay if you don't. Emma will be there for me."
"Tessa... We'll both be there for you."
"Okay, Hardin."
"I'm so proud of you, baby. You're being so brave. This will be over soon and you'll finally be able to put it all behind you."
"Hardin... What if I'm never able to put it behind me? What if I feel sad and scared forever? What if I'm always reminded of him?"
"You won't be. After tomorrow you'll have closure and you'll feel a hundred percent better."
"But what if-"
"Then, we'll deal with it. We'll find someone who can help you. The most important thing is that you will never have to go through any of it alone. So many people love you and want to be there for you."
"Okay, Hardin."
I look down at Tessa as I brush her hair off her forehead and then gently cup her cheek, forcing her to look up at me. I stare at her for a moment. I want to give her everything the world has to offer. I want to take away her pain and heal her. But all I can offer her is my love. "I love you, Tessa. I love you with everything I have. I will love you forever. That I can promise you."
Tessa snuggles up to me before quietly replying, "I'll love you until the sun burns out."
I kiss the top of her head and watch as she goes back to tracing my tattoo. "Don't worry, baby, everything will be fine tomorrow," I reassure her.
"I hope so," she replies quietly.
"Tess, you're safe in my arms, remember?"
Tessa silently nods.
"How about you try to get some sleep?" I softly suggest.
"You promise not to let me go, right?"
"I promise."
A few minutes later, I already hear Tessa quietly snoring. She must have been exhausted.
I gently twirl her soft blonde locks around my finger as I silently pray everything goes well tomorrow.
Tessa turns over in her sleep and I so badly want to roll her over again, so I can hold her, but I decide against it. I don't want to risk waking her. Instead, I lie next to her, listening to her breathing and snoring. I thought her laugh was the most beautiful sound in the world, but it doesn't compare to listening to how at peace she is when she's lying next to me.
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