After unpacking some of our luggage and changing, Hardin insisted we go for an early dinner before the concert.
"Where are we going for dinner?" I ask.
"It's a surprise!" Hardin shouts from the other room.
I walk into the next room and stand in front of him. "I just want to make sure this outfit is appropriate."
"Wow. You look stunning, Tess. On second thought, let's skip dinner and just go straight to dessert." He immediately scoops me up in his arms and walks toward the bedroom.
"Hardin! Put me down!" I shriek.
"Nope! I'm craving you."
"Stop! We don't have time!" I laugh and kick my legs until he puts me down.
"Fine, but you owe me dessert later." He winks at me.
"We'll see how the rest of the night goes," I giggle. "Now, we better get going!"
Hardin drives us to a fancy restaurant about ten minutes away from the hotel. We walk inside and the restaurant is already crowded.
"I don't think we'll get a table, Hardin."
"I made reservations." He smiles.
"Oh. I guess you've thought of everything."
"I want this weekend to be perfect for us," he says as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
"I love you." I sneak a kiss before the hostess greets us.
"Good evening. Do you have reservations?" she asks.
"It's under Scott."
"Oh yes, Mr. and Mrs. Scott. Follow me, please," she says as she leads us to our table.
"Hardin, you told them we're married, too?" I whisper as we follow the hostess to our table.
"No. I had to tell them we were staying at the hotel to get us in and since the hotel had us checked in as..."
"Okay, I get it. I still think you did that on purpose, though."
"Me? Never," he quietly chuckles.
When the hostess finally shows us to our table, she leaves us menus and Hardin pulls out my chair for me.
"Thank you," I say as I smile brightly at him and sit down.
"Make sure you order whatever you want, Tess. Don't worry about money," he says and takes his seat.
"Hardin..."
"Tessa..."
The waiter comes and takes our order and I notice Hardin's mood has changed.
"What's wrong?"
"He's not getting a fucking tip."
"What?" I ask, confused.
"He was staring at you, just like the bellhop was," he replies angrily.
"Hardin, you think everyone is staring at me."
"It's because they are."
"I'm here with you," I say as I place my hand over his.
"You're right. I'm sorry, baby."
Ten minutes later our food arrives.
"That fucking waiter is really testing my patience."
"What now, Hardin?" I sigh as I start to eat from my plate of fish and chips.
"He was definitely looking down your dress when he put your plate in front of you."
"No, he wasn't. Please don't ruin the evening with your jealousy," I beg.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I want this night to be perfect."
"Wow... fancy restaurant, reservations under Mr. and Mrs. Scott, you pulling out my chair, expensive food, and not one, but two jealousy related catastrophes averted. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were planning on proposing tonight," I say and start to laugh.
Right as I say those words, Hardin starts choking on his steak.
"Hardin! Are you okay?!"
"Um... y-yeah," he chokes and then takes a drink of water.
"Are you sure?"
"Mmm-hmm."
The rest of the dinner is quiet and Hardin's mood has changed again, but this time he seems to be acting nervous.
"The food was delicious, Hardin. You did a great job picking this place." I smile at him.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. We might have to skip dessert if we want to make it to the concert early."
"What? No joke about me being your dessert? Are you feeling okay?"
"Um, yeah. I-I'm fine," he replies.
"You're acting weird."
"I'm fine, Tess," he says as he starts to fidget with his hands.
"Were you... were you going to..."
"Was I going to...?"
I can't finish asking my question. Hardin looks so nervous and I'm worried I ruined his marriage proposal to me. I mean, I told him I wasn't ready for a ring yet, but since when does he ever listen?
He calls the waiter over and pays the bill. We leave the restaurant and drive to the concert. On the very quiet drive to the concert, I decide to keep my thoughts to myself.