As Hardin's lips finally collide with mine, I feel relief. I've missed being this close with him. I've missed how his touch sends a bolt of electricity through me and how the thought of forever with him brings both butterflies and a calm to me.

Within seconds, our tongues are playfully moving against each other and it's as if time stands still. As he continues to move his tongue against mine and his hand wraps in my hair, once again, I find myself melting into Hardin.

Without warning, Hardin starts to pull away from me, gently tugging on my lip as he removes his mouth from mine.

"H-Hardin..." I breathe.

"That was the best kiss I've had in four years." He quietly laughs.

"Really?" I ask, still feeling a bit flustered.

"Well, technically, it's the only kiss I've had in four years," he states.

"Wait. What?" I ask, shocked by his confession.

"I've been waiting for you, Tess. It's always been you."

"I know you said you didn't sleep with anyone else, but there's really been no one else for four years?!" I ask, trying to make sense of everything.

"No one else," he repeats.

"How?"

"Tessa, I know I used to throw sex around like it meant nothing, like it was just a way to kill time or get my next high, but you changed that for me. After you, sex meant something to me. I promised myself that I would only be with someone in that way again if I truly loved them. And I've never loved another after you."

"I don't even know what to say to this."

"You could say it was the best kiss you've had, too," he teases.

"Of course it was!"

"Tess, I hope I don't make you uncomfortable when I tell you that I'm still madly in love with you."

"Actually, I've been dying to hear those words for four years."

"Well, then I'll say them again. I'm madly in love with you, Theresa Lynn Young."

"And I'm irrevocably in love with you, Hardin Allen Scott."