After (The After Series)

A wedding with Hardin? The idea sounds so lovely, but Hardin will be hard to
convince.
“Karen is very fond of you, and she really enjoyed having you over this
weekend. You’re welcome anytime.”
“I really enjoyed being there. Maybe I can get in touch with her about those
baking lessons she offered.” I laugh and he chuckles, too. He looks so much like
Hardin when he smiles that it makes my heart warm. Hardin’s father is so
desperate to have a relationship with his angry, broken son that it makes my
heart ache for him. If I can do anything to help Ken, I certainly will.
“She would love that! Come by anytime,” he booms, and I stand up.
“Thank you again for helping me with the internship. It means so much to
me.”
“I have looked over your application and transcript, and they are very
impressive. Hardin could learn a lot from you,” he says with hope in his green
eyes.
I feel my cheeks heat up as I smile and say goodbye. By the time I get back
across campus to the Literature building, I have only five minutes until class
begins. Hardin occupies his old seat and I can’t help the smile on my face.
“You held up your end of the deal; so did I,” he says and smiles back. I greet
Landon and take my seat between them.
“Why were you so late?” Hardin whispers as the professor begins class.
“I’ll tell you after class.” I know if I bring this up now, he will cause a scene
in the middle of class.
“Tell me.”
“I said I’ll tell you after class. It’s no big deal,” I promise him. He sighs but
lets it go.
When class ends, Hardin and Landon both stand up and I am not sure which
one to talk to. I usually talk to Landon after class and we walk out together, but
now that Hardin is back, I’m unsure.
“Are you still coming to the bonfire with Dakota and me on Friday? I was
thinking you should come over for dinner first. I know my mom would love it,”
Landon says before Hardin can speak.
“Yeah, of course I am still coming. Dinner sounds great; just let me know the
details and I’ll be there.” I can’t wait to meet Dakota. She makes Landon happy
and for that I already love her.
“I’ll text you,” he says and walks away.
“I’ll text you,” Hardin mocks and I roll my eyes.

---

“Don’t make fun of him,” I warn.
“Oh yeah, I forgot how angry you get. I recall you almost jumping over that
booth at Molly when she did.” He laughs and I give his shoulder a shove.
“I mean it, Hardin, leave him alone,” I say, then add, “Please,” to soften the
mood.
“He’s living with my dad. I have earned the right to make fun of him.” He
smiles at me and I laugh. As we walk out of the building, I decide it’s now or
never.
“Speaking of your dad . . .” I look over and find Hardin has already tensed up.
His eyes are leery as they wait for what I’ll say next. “That’s where I was today.
In his office. He set up an interview at Vance for me tomorrow. Isn’t that great?”
“He what?” he scoffs.
Here we go.
“He set up an interview for me. It’s a great opportunity, Hardin.” I plead for
his understanding.
“Fine,” he sighs.
“There’s more.”
“Of course there is . . .”
“He invited me to the wedding next weekend . . . well, us. He invited us to the
wedding.” I barely manage to get it out for the glare he’s giving me.
“No, not going. End of discussion.” He turns to walk away from me.
“Wait, just hear me out. Please?” I reach for his wrist but he jerks away.
“No. You really need to stay out of this, Tessa. I am not kidding. Mind your
own damn business for once,” he snaps.
“Hardin . . .” I say once more, but he ignores me.
He walks off into the parking lot. My feet have become cement, keeping me
from following after him. I watch as his white car peels out of the parking lot.
He is overreacting, and I am not going to feed into it. He needs some time to
cool off before we speak again. I knew he wouldn’t want to go, but I had hoped
he would at least discuss it.