Tessa Young has finally found the man of her dreams. The only catch? He's literally in her dreams. Every night Tessa dreams of the same perfect man, but she refuses to believe it's anything more than just a dream. She's never been one to believe in...
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Hardin and I pull up to what looks like some sort of biker bar. "Blind Bob's? This is where you take a girl on a date?"
"I know it doesn't look like much, but the food's really good."
"Okay..." I say, disappointment laced in my voice.
"Look, Tess..." Hardin begins to say before he turns to look at me. "I... I don't date. I don't date and I don't take girls to fancy restaurants with maître d's and all that shit. This is the best I can do, but if you want to go somewhere else, we can," Hardin says in a sad voice.
I feel really awful about hurting his feelings and making him feel like what he has to offer isn't good enough for me. "Hardin, I'd like to eat dinner here." I smile at him.
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Yes, as long as they don't put ketchup on my food."
"What?" Hardin chuckles.
"Never mind." I laugh as we both get out of the car.
Hardin guides me inside the diner and we sit at a booth. "I recommend the burger and fries. I know it's simple, but they're really good and the portions are generous."
"Okay, sure," I happily agree.
When the waitress takes our order, Hardin orders burgers, fries and sodas for both of us.
"Oh! No ketchup on my burger, please!" I call out to the waitress.
"What's this about no ketchup, Theresa?"
"Why? Is it weird?"
"I just thought Americans were supposed to love ketchup." He chuckles.
"I guess it's a bit weird, but it's just not my thing." I shrug.
"And what is your thing?" he asks as he reaches out and gently places his hand over mine, rubbing his thumb back and forth over my skin.
"Um..." I say in a shaky voice.
"Something wrong?"
"No," I squeak. Hardin's touch is sending electricity through my body. I love that feeling.
"So, what do you like, Tess?"
"Books."
"Tell me something I don't already know." He chuckles.
"I like to read a lot of books. I like to spend time studying for class. I enjoy spending time with my best friend, Emma."
"So, there's no wild side to Theresa Young? You don't go to college parties? You don't date good looking frat boys?"
