After Everything (Hessa Fanfic)

7

Tessa POV

'Wow.' I gushed, taking in the surroundings.

The water was so clear you could see the floor underneath. The green banks reflected perfectly over the stream. The sun hit at just the right angle, causing the water to gleam and sparkle.

'I forgot how beautiful it is here.' I confessed, in awe at how it seemed even more magical now.

'Yep.' Hardin agreed. 'It's one of my favourite places.'

I saw him fight a smirk as he said it. I knew Hardin so well that I knew this was him resisting a dirty comment, probably about another of his favourite places.

It had only been a short time but I could really appreciate how much he was trying for me. His hand on my thigh in-front of Robert and his clenched jaw showed me that there are still some feelings of insecurity and anxieties deep down but his behaviour showed he was able to control them a lot better now.

Control your demons or they will control you.

'Shall we sit down here? The view is lovely.' I asked, picking a spot on the grass.

'Yep.' Hardin agreed. 'Hang on, don't sit yet.' He instructed.

He pulled his jumper over his head, his t-shirt underneath lifting in the process. I couldn't help but enjoy the view of his toned chest.

'Here, baby.' He laid out his jumper on the grass, gesturing for me to sit.

'Thanks.' I smiled, sitting down, feeling glad as he sat down next to me.

'Congrats on the launch of your second book, I'm really proud of you.' I smiled, wanting to start the conversation off on a positive.

'Thank you baby. I'm glad you enjoyed it.' He snaked his arm around my back, kicking his legs out in-front of him and leaning back on his other hand.

'You're a really great author, Hardin. Your words are so touching. God, I sobbed so hard at the part about your mom. I'm so glad you were able to tell your story.'

'It means a lot to me you saying that.' He said honestly, pulling his lip ring between his teeth and biting on it seemingly nervously. 'I'm sorry for what happened with the first book. I never meant to hurt you with it. In fact, I'm sorry for everything, Tess.'

Hardin sat up, putting his hands around my face.

'It wasn't so bad.' I lied, hoping Landon hadn't told him how much of a wreck I actually was over the negative comments. I was so mad at the time, dealing with the consequences of my own story that I didn't even want published. 'You've helped a lot of people with your writing and brought negative emotions and real, complicated lives into a normal light. That matters more.'

'I never meant to embarrass you.' He reassured me. He'd said this to me a few times over the last few years, mostly in texts and emails I hadn't responded to. Not because I didn't want to, I was just such a wreck of emotions during that time that I could hardly read his words, let alone find the strength to write anything coherent back.

'I know.' I reassured him. He nodded, running his fingers through my hair.

'Steph contacted me recently.' I admitted, moving closer to him. I felt him stiffen at the mention of her name.

Steph was my first real friendship betrayal but I was grateful for the way she hurt me. The horrible things she did to me taught me a lot about real friends and a lot about trust.

'Really? Why?' Hardin questioned.

'I'm not really sure, she just texted me out the blue wishing me well and saying she missed me. I texted back a little bit telling her what New York was like but then she started asking me weird questions about how much you'd got paid for After and questioning if you'd paid me. It felt..odd so I stopped answering.'