Chapter 95 (1/2)

I snap eyes to him. “Yeah—worse, I’m sure.” I hope he isn’t taking this where I think he will; he better not be attempting to blame the mess in London on me.

He seems to be thinking it over before speaking—another improvement on his part. “You’re right. You know you are right.”

“I’m glad I kept it to myself, especially before I knew for sure.”

“I’m glad you told me before anyone else.” His eyes are on mine.

“I told Kim.” I feel slightly guilty that he had assumed he was the first person that I told, but he wasn’t there for me.

Hardin’s brows knit together. “What do you mean, you told Kim? When?”

“I told her it was a possibility a while ago.”

“So Kim knew and I didn’t?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“What about Landon? Does Landon know, too? Karen? Vance?”

“Why would Vance know?” I snap at him. He’s back to being ridiculous.

“Kimberly probably told him. Did you tell Landon, too?”

“No, Hardin. Only Kimberly. I had to tell someone, and I couldn’t depend on you enough to tell you.”

“Ouch.” His tone is harsh and his frown overwhelming.

“It’s true,” I quietly say. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s true. You seem to forget that you didn’t want anything to do with me until my father died.”

Chapter fifty-eight

HARDIN

Didn’t want anything to do with her? I’ve loved this girl with every ounce of me for so long. I hate that she feels this way, that she has forgotten how deep my love for her is and has reduced it to this one fuckup of mine. Not that I can blame her. It is my fault that she feels this way. “I always wanted you; you know that. I just couldn’t stop trying to ruin the only good thing in my life, and I’m sorry for that. I know it’s fucked-up that it took me so long, and I hate that it took your dad dying to get my ass in shape, but I’m here now—and I love you more than ever, and I don’t care if we can’t have babies.” Desperate, not liking the look in her eyes, I impulsively add, “Marry me.”

She glares at me. “Hardin, you can’t just throw that around like that—stop saying that!” Her arms cover her chest as if she’s protecting herself from my words.

“Fine, I’ll buy you a ring firs—”

“Hardin,” she warns, lips pressed together in a tight line.

“Fine.” I roll my eyes at her, and I think she wants to slap me. “I am so in love with you,” I promise, and reach for her.

“Yeah, now you are.” She backs away, challenging me.

“I’ve been in love with you for a long time.”

“Sure you have,” Tessa mumbles. How can she be so fucking cute and obnoxious at the same time?

“I loved you even when I was being a dumb-ass in London.”