Love doesn't have to be hard

Chapter 7: Holiday Time

So, it is three weeks until Christmas and Zed and I are still doing great. We are learning a lot about each other, and we get along.

We have been a couple for five weeks now, and I spend the night with him at his apartment. He has stayed a few nights with me in my dorm room, but only a few times. 

We got out several times a week and on most weekends. I got hired as an Intern at Vance Publishing thanks to Ken. 

I have been there a few weeks now, and I love it. Kimberly is the sweetest, and Trevor has become my friend.

Zed even likes Trevor. He has come to take me to lunch a few times and always invites Trevor to join us. Hardin has shown up at my office a few times and yet refuses to listen when I tell him to leave me alone. 

Zed and I have decided to do our Christmas together early. Then, he will drive me to my mom's, and he will go to Florida to visit his family. 

He didn't really like the idea of us spending Christmas apart, but I told him that we were still new in our relationship and it was best to leave our family out of it. 

He met my mom when she showed up in my dorm room, and we were playing around. He was tickling me as he was on top of me when my mom came in.

She freaked out she was judging him because of his tattoos, longer hair, and piercings. I tried to tell her that he was a good student and worked. We hadn't even slept together, but she was so rude to him.  

She left, and we didn't talk for a week. She was happy when she learned about my internship and finally stopped putting Zed down. 

We have finally taken the next step to touching each other without clothes. Zed told me he has to talk to me before we take the final step. 

I am so in love with him that I now know I was never in love with Noah. I have never felt what I feel for Zed with anybody. 

Zed sits with me, and Landon in Soto's class while Hardin and Molly scoff at us the entire class. She hates the fact that Hardin is so pissed about us. 

I want to take that final step with Zed before he leaves on Christmas break. We are going to Hardin's dad's wedding reception tonight, and I am ready to take that step with him. He will be at my room in an hour to pick me up.  

I get dressed, and Zed arrives. He hands me my usual Lilly every time he picks me up. He takes my hand and turns me around. 

"You look stunning tonight, Tessa."

"Thank you, Zed; you look very handsome in your dress shirt and pants. You clean up very nicely."

"Okay, sweetheart. Do you have your bag for the night?"

"I do." She reaches down and picks it up. He takes it from her and opens the door. He places his hand on her back as they walk to his truck. He helps her in and sits her bag behind the seat. 

They arrive at the party, and he parks his truck, and they walk up the driveway. They walk inside the house just as Landon is coming down the stairs. He hugs Tessa and shakes Zed's hand. 

"Hey, nice to see you both."

"Nice to see you as well. Is Hardin here?"

"No, but I heard he was coming with that pink-headed chick."

"Oh, just great, exactly what we needed."

"I think as long as you stay clear of them, everything should be fine."

They walked outside onto the patio, and the arrangements were beautiful. They found a table far enough away from anywhere Hardin would be. 

We grab some food and take our seats. Ken and Karen are walking around, saying hi to everyone. They walk over, and both hug Tessa.