I hear a knock at the door and immediately try to clean the dishes from the kitchen counter. I'm not usually this messy, but I was so nervous about seeing Hardin again that I spent most of the day picking out my outfit and doing my hair instead of cleaning. I clean what I can, then rush toward the door. I take a deep breath to calm myself before opening the door. "Hi. Come in." I smile at him.

As he walks into my apartment, he passes me a lovely bouquet of lilies. "These are for you," he says while returning my smile.

"Th-thank you," I stutter. I close the door and lead Hardin into the living room. "These are beautiful by the way. Lilies are my favourite."

"I know." He grins.

"Take a seat on the couch. I'm just going to put these in some water." I quickly grab a vase, fill it with water and place the flowers in it, then rush back to the living room. I sit on a chair across from the couch, with only a coffee table separating Hardin and me.

"Oh, you forgot this." He smiles and passes me my copy of his book.

"Oh." I blush. "Thank you."

"I finished signing it for you."

I open the book and begin to read his inscription: "To Tess— the sweet, beautiful girl who saved me and turned me into the man I am so proud to be. All my love, Hardin."

"Hardin, I'm speechless. Thank you."

"No, thank you, Tess. You helped me become a better person and I'll never be able to thank you for everything you've done for me."

"I think you already have," I say with a small smile.

"What do you mean?"

"I think writing a book about our love was thank you enough."

"Y-you knew it was about you?" he stutters.

"Not at first. I wasn't even sure if you would remember me tonight, but after your reaction when you saw me again, I knew for sure it was about us."

"You didn't think I would remember you?!" he gasps.

"It's been four years and, well, you've been with a lot of girls. I wasn't sure if I was even worth remembering."

"Tessa..." he begins as he reaches across the coffee table and takes my hands in his. "You're all I've thought about for the past four years."

"R-really?" I stutter.

"Yes. Every single day I wondered when I'd get to see you again, touch you again, hold you again, make love to—" Hardin stops himself. "Sorry," he apologizes as he lets go of my hands.

"Oh," I say, suddenly feeling flustered. "I've thought about you a lot, too. I felt so heartbroken when I lost contact with you after you went to England. How's your mom?"

"She's doing really well. She even remarried a year ago."

"Oh, that's great to hear, Hardin. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be there for you when you were taking care of her."

"Tessa, you had your own shit going on with your mother. Is it okay to ask what happened between you two after you left WCU?"

"Of course. Well, you know that I had no choice but to go back home after she got me kicked out of college... But a year later, I applied to NYU and was offered a full scholarship. I was able to move away from my mother and I haven't spoken to her since I got to this city."

"Oh, Tess, I'm so sorry things turned out that way between the two of you. It makes sense to me now, though... I tried to find out where you had gone once I got back from England, but as usual, your mother was a complete bitch to me and wouldn't help put me in touch with you." He pauses before adding, "Sorry for the harsh words."

"Don't apologize. If anyone knows what my mother can be like, it's me." I laugh.

"So, you like New York?"

"I do. Sometimes I miss the small town vibe, but I think this city has been good for me."

"It has. You look amazing."

"Thank you." I blush. "What about you? Where do you live now?"

"After I got back from England I got a job offer in Chicago, so I moved there."

"And you're happy there?"

"I guess. I feel lonely a lot of the time, though."

"Hardin..."

"It's okay, Tess. I travel a lot for work, so I keep busy."

"I can't believe you're a bestselling author. I mean, I knew you'd do great things, but I'm just so proud of you."

"Thank you, Tessa. I've always wondered if you'd be proud of me."

"Of course! And not just because of your books. You're such a caring man. I've read about your charity work, too."

"Oh," he says and starts to blush a little.

"Don't be modest. You've done so many great things. I just wish I could have been there beside you," I say with sadness in my voice.

"Tess..."

"Um, you must be starving! Did you want some dinner?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"I'm not very hungry."

"Oh, okay. Well, how about a snack? I've been getting better at baking." I giggle.

"I sure hope so." He chuckles.

I rush to the kitchen and bring over the tray of cookies I made earlier. I place the tray on the coffee table and wait for Hardin to try one.