After Everything (Hessa Fanfic)

8

Tessa POV

'Are you hungry?' Hardin asked as we got into the car.

We lost all track of time at the stream, just enjoying each others company and talking about life. Hardin was really open with me, sharing some of the challenges he's faced about being a published author.

We only left because it was starting to get cold. The summer had come to an end and the Autumn chilliness of September evenings was starting to creep around again.

''A little.' I shrugged, it had been a while since breakfast.

'Karen asked if we wanted to go for dinner?' He offered.

His family always made me feel so welcome and they really treated me like one of their own. I wasn't sure how my mother would react when I eventually found the courage to tell her, but at least I knew we could rely on Ken and Karen for support.

'That would be lovely.' I smiled. 'Landon said they have leftover wedding cake, I'm dying to try it.'

'Mm, I want cake.' Hardin agreed.

'It's our anniversary month, you know.' He said, with a smile.

'Stop trying to make this a thing.' I laughed.

Hardin claimed our anniversary month the first time he came to New York. I painfully thought back on how much of a disaster that weekend turned into once I found the manuscript and he revealed his master plan to publish our story.

Last year, he sent me an email subjected 'Anniversary Month' with a summary of everything he'd learned over the last year. It was sweet, really. Romantic, even.

'It's my thing.' Hardin shrugged. 'I always use it for reflection.'

We'd both done a lot of reflecting by the sounds of things. Not just over our relationship, but our whole lives.

He never failed to surprise me and I was just relieved this time the surprises so far weren't just ticking time bombs. Instead, glimpses of hope that gave me butterflies at how much of a good man he seemed now.

The biggest surprise was that he remembered Robert's name when asking to discuss him instead of just calling him the waiter or something much ruder, as usual.

'What?' Hardin questioned, as I sniggered at the thought.

'You called Robert by his actual name.' I laughed, Hardin smirked and shook his head.

'Don't worry, I have plenty of names for him up here.' He playfully pointed to his head. 'My favourite starts with W and rhymes with banker.'

'Hardin!' I shrieked happily, loving this playful side of us. 'He is nice, really. You should give him a chance.'

Really, it would make sense for Hardin to like Robert. He looks out for me and doesn't ever try to give me unsolicited advice about our relationship like my other friends do. If he was a woman, he would probably be Hardin's favourite of my friends but he doesn't see it like that when there's a penis involved.

'Meh.' Hardin muttered at my suggestion. 'I think he should just focus on his doctor crush.'

Around a year ago, Robert had asked me during our lunchbreak if I would like to join him for dinner on Saturday night. My head was a mess, I'd just received the anniversary month email from Hardin and he had done yet another public interview, talking too deeply about our souls.

I felt dizzy when I thought about it, but I also couldn't think about anything else.

Robert surprised me with a booking for the beautiful, cosy Italian restaurant a block away from our restaurant. We walked past it everyday complimenting the smell. There was always a queue of people hoping to get a walk-in at the door, all bookings getting taken so quickly.