I decide to wear my hair straight today to try something different but when I finish it looks odd so I end up curling it as usual. I am taking too long to get ready and it is probably getting close to time to leave. From the steam in the bathroom when I first entered I know that Anne has already taken a shower which is good because I won't be hogging the bathroom. I am nervous for today and how it will go. I hope Hardin is on his best behavior, or at least tries to be.

I go with simple makeup, only wearing a little foundation, black eyeliner and mascara. I was going to use eye shadow as well but I have had to remove the messy line from my top eyelid three times before finally getting it right.

"Are you alive?" Hardin's voice calls through the door.

"Yes, I am almost done." I reply and brush my teeth once more before exiting the bathroom.

"I'm going to take a quick shower then we need to go if you still want to go to my dad's." Hardin says when I enter the room.

"Okay, I will get dressed while you are in the shower."

After he leaves the room I walk over to the closet and grab the black dress I bought to wear today. The black material is thick and the neckline is high. The bow covering my waist is much bigger than it looked when I tried the dress on the other day but I will be wearing a cardigan over it anyway because the dress is sleeveless and it's freezing outside. I retrieve my charm bracelet from the dresser and clasp it over my wrist. My stomach flutters each time I read the perfect words.

I can't decide on what shoes to wear, if I wear heels I will probably look too dressy. I go with black flats, pull my white cardigan over the dress and wait for Hardin to get out of the shower. Minutes later he opens the door wearing only a towel tied around his waist. Oh. No matter how many times I see him, I still lose my breath at the sight of him. Staring at Hardin's half naked body I do not understand how tattoos were not appealing to me before.

"Holy shit." He says as his eyes rake up and down my body.

"What?"

"You look.. incredibly innocent."

"Is that good or bad? It's Christmas, I didn't want to look indecent." I explain, unsure of what I chose to wear.

"Good. Very good." His tongue snakes over his bottom lip and I have to look away before we start something that we should not finish. Not right now at least.

"Thank you. What are you wearing?"

"What I always wear."

"Oh."

"I am not dressing up to go to my dad's house."

"I know.. maybe you could wear that shirt your mother got you for Christmas?" I suggest even though I know he won't.

"Not happening." He says and walks over to pull his jeans off of the hanger. The hanger falls to the ground and he leaves it there.

I decide not to say anything, instead I walk away from the closet as Hardin's towel falls to the floor.

"I'm going to go out there with your mom." I tell him and try to force myself not to look down his body.

"Suit yourself." He smirks and I leave the room.

When I find Anne in the living room she is wearing a red dress and black heels, much different from her usual track suit.

"You look so beautiful." I tell her.

"You're sure? Is it too much, with the makeup and all?" She asks nervously.

"No, not at all. You look great." I assure her, she really does look great.

"It's not that I care really, I just don't want to look bad when I see my ex-husband after all these years." She smiles.

"You certainly do not look bad." I tell her and she smiles.

"Are you two ready?" Hardin asks when he joins us in the living room.

His hair is still wet but somehow it manages to look perfect. He is wearing all black, including the black converse he wore in Seattle. I forgot to tell him how much I liked them. Hardin grabs the bag that holds the gifts and stands by the door to wait for Anne and I.

"Why are you so dressed up?" He asks his mother during the elevator ride down.

"It's a holiday, why wouldn't I be?"

"It just seems weird to .."

"She looks lovely Hardin. I am just as dressed up as she is." I cut him off before he says something to ruin his mother's day.

During the drive everyone is quiet, even Anne. I can tell she is nervous and rightfully so. I would be incredibly nervous if I were her. The closer we get to Ken's house, the more nervous I grow. I really just want a calm holiday.

"Are you cold?" He asks as he pulls onto the freeway.

"A little." I tell him. He turns up the heat and the car remains silent.

When Hardin pulls up to Ken's house Anne gasps.

"This is his house?" She gapes.

"Yep. I told you it was big." Hardin says and turns off the car.

"I didn't think you meant this big." She says quietly.

Hardin reaches the sidewalk first and waits for Anne and I before he walks up the steps leading to the large house. I see the apprehension on his face as he rings the doorbell. I take his hand in mine to try to calm him and he looks down at me with a small but noticeable smile.

Karen answers the door with a welcoming smile. Hardin walks in first with Anne and I behind him, my hand still in his.

"Thank you for coming." She says.

She approaches Anne first.

"Hello, I am Karen. It is so nice to meet you. I really appreciate you coming." Karen appears completely calm but I have gotten to know her well enough to know that is not the case.

"I'm Anne, it's nice to meet you too." Anne says.

Ken joins us in the living room and he stops in his tracks at the sight of his ex wife. I lean into Hardin and hope that Landon told Ken we were coming.

"Hello Ken." Anne's voice is strong.

"Anne.. wow.. hello." He stutters.

Anne seems to be pleased by his reaction and she nods her head once.

"You look.. different." Anne says.

I have tried to imagine what Ken looked like back then, eyes bloodshot from liquor, forehead sweaty, and face pale, but I can not seem to.

"Yea.. so do you." He says.

The awkward tension is making me dizzy and I am beyond relieved when Landon joins us.

"You look beautiful." He compliments me and pulls me in for a hug.

Hardin's grip on my hand tightens but I manage to pull my hand from him so that I can hug Landon back.

"You look very handsome yourself Landon." I tell him.

He is dressed in blue slacks and a white dress shirt with a black tie. Hardin hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me back over to him, closer than before. Landon rolls his eyes at Hardin then turns to Anne.

"Hello ma'am I am Landon, Karen's son. It is great to meet you." He politely says.

"Oh please don't call me ma'am." Anne laughs and continues. "It is nice to meet you too. Tessa has told me a lot about you." She tells him.

"All good things I hope." He smiles and she nods.

"Mostly." Anne teases.

Landon's charm has seemed to ease some of the tension in the room.

"Are you hungry yet? Or should we wait to eat?" Karen asks the group.

No one answers and Hardin looks down at me.

"We can eat now." I say and Karen smiles.

Everyone walks into the dining room and I am not surprised to find the table perfectly set. Platters of neatly arranged food cover the table. A large centerpiece full of flowers and ornaments sits in the middle and everything looks perfect. Karen is always an amazing host.

"Would anyone like a drink, I have some delicious red wine from the cellar." Karen says. Her cheeks flush red as she realizes what she just asked. Alcohol is definitely a sensitive subject with this crowd.

"I would actually." Anne smiles.

Karen disappears and returns with an open bottle of red wine. I consider asking for a glass to calm the uneasy feeling in my stomach but decide against it. Each of us take a seat, Anne next to Landon and no one says a word as they fill their plates with food.

Landon makes eye contact with me and I can tell he is debating whether or not to speak, I give him a small nod. I don't want to have to break the silence. I take a bite of ham and Hardin puts his hand on my thigh.

"So what do you think of America so far? Is this your first time here?" Landon asks Anne.

"Yea, it's my first time coming here. I like it, I wouldn't want to live here but I do like it. Are you planning on staying in America when you finish schooling?"

"I am not sure yet, my girlfriend is moving to New York next month so it will depend on what she wants to do." He says.

I selfishly hope he doesn't move to New York anytime soon.

"I will be glad when Hardin finishes so he can move back home." Anne says and I drop my fork onto my plate.

All eyes focus on me and I smile apologetically before picking the utensil back up.

"You're moving back to England after you graduate?" Landon asks Hardin.

"Yea of course I am." Hardin rudely answers.

We haven't discussed any plans after college but him moving back to England never once crossed my mind. We will need to discuss this later, not in front of everyone.

"Oh." Landon says, looking directly at me.

"So... how do you like America Ken? Are you planning to live here permanently?" Anne asks him.

"Yes, I do. I love it here. I will be staying here for the remainder of my life." He answers.

"You always hated America." Anne smiles and takes a sip of her wine.

"Yes.. I did." He half smiles back at her.

Karen and Hardin both shift uncomfortably in their seats and I concentrate on chewing the bite of potato in my mouth.

"Does anyone have anything to talk about besides America?" Hardin rolls his eyes.

I gently kick him under the table but he doesn't acknowledge it.

"How was your trip to Seattle Tessa?" Karen asks me.

I have already told her about it but I know that she is only trying to make conversation so I tell her again. Once everyone is finished eating I help Karen take the dishes to the kitchen. She seems to be distracted so I don't probe her for conversation as we clean up the kitchen.

"Would you like another glass of wine Anne?" Karen asks Anne once we all move to the living room to open gifts. Hardin, Anne, and I sit on one of the couches, Landon sits on the chair, and Karen and Ken sit on the other couch across from us. It feels as if we are on teams with Landon acting as a referee.

"Yes please. It is really great wine." Anne replies and hands over her empty glass for Karen to fill it.

"Thank you, we got it in Greece this summer it was such an amazing .." She stops mid sentence.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to.." Karen searches for words.

"Oh no, it's fine really. The wine is excellent." Anne does her best to calm Karen.

I really applaud her for being so strong and forgiving. She is making a huge effort to be polite especially given the circumstances. Karen has gotten the Ken that Anne never had. She gets trips to Greece and all over the world, a huge home, new cars, and most importantly she gets a loving and sober husband.

"Any one else? Tessa would you like a glass?" Karen asks after pouring Landon a glass of wine.

"Yes please." I finally give in. I am going to need a glass of wine if the day continues to be this awkward.

"What about you dad? You want a glass of wine?" Hardin remarks.

Everyone looks at him with wide eyes and open mouths. I squeeze his hand to try to silence him.

"What? Don't you want a glass dad? I'm sure you do. You miss it don't you?" He continues with a wicked smirk.

(Please vote and comment! Tons:) ily all!! I am deciding what to do about a third book so if you could tell me your opinion that would be lovely of you!! And for those of you asking if Hardin's friends will be back in the story, the answer is yes! and soon :)