When we get downstairs, I drag Hardin with me until we find the room where our first activity is.
"Tess, no..." Hardin whines as he reads the sign on the door.
"What's wrong?"
"This is way too girly."
"It is not! You're just lucky I didn't choose flower arranging. Now, come on! I want to get a good seat."
"You owe me for this." He rolls his eyes and reluctantly follows me until we find a table to sit at.
"I'm so excited!" I exclaim and clap my hands.
"Welcome!" Betty says after everyone takes their seats. "I hope everyone is ready to make their own scented candle!"
"This is already torture," Hardin mumbles.
"Hardin! Shhh! I do stuff you want to do all the time, so you can do this for me."
"Yeah? Like what?" He laughs.
"Sex!"
"Oh, like you don't enjoy that, too." He smirks.
"You know, if you do this for me, we could use the candles we make for something fun later," I say seductively.
"Oh, really?" Hardin gives me a small grin. "Like we could use them while we're busy making a little Tessa or Hardin?" he asks as he nuzzles into my neck.
"Hardin..." I scold.
"I didn't say the 'B' word," he points out.
"That's just a technicality! You're banned from talking about anything to do with having a baby!"
"I don't know why you're so against having a baby with me. I have very good genes." He smirks.
"And an ego bigger than this room." I roll my eyes.
Before Hardin can pester me anymore, Betty starts the class. First, we're instructed to pick a colour of wax we like and then start to melt it. I pick purple and Hardin mixes red, blue and green together. After our wax is melted, I have a bright and cheery purple to work with and Hardin has a dark and depressing black.
"Hardin, these are supposed to be Valentine's candles! Couldn't you have picked a nicer colour?"
"Nope. This is my candle and I wanted black."
I roll my eyes at him before selecting the scent I want. I decide to choose a vial labeled 'Lily' and smile to myself as I remember how Hardin surprised me with my favourite flowers. After adding some of my vial to the wax, I turn to Hardin. "Which scent did you choose?"
"It's a surprise," he says and hides the vial from me.
"Oh, come on! Just show me!"
"No! You'll find out later... when we're creating little Emery." He chuckles.
"Don't make me kick you under the table," I warn.
"Ooh, I like it rough..." Hardin runs his hand up my thigh.
"Stop that and place your wick!"
"What?" He laughs.
"You have to put your wick in the jar before you pour your wax."
"Tessa..." he whines. "I don't care..."
"Come on, we're almost done."
We both put our wick in the jar before finishing our candles by pouring the wax in the jar and letting it cool. I can't help but giggle when I look over at Hardin's candle.
"What?" he asks cluelessly.
"Nothing." I giggle.
"Tell me," he gently demands.
"You were supposed to put the wick in the centre and it's really crooked." I continue to giggle.
"Looks fine to me." He shrugs.
Betty makes her way over to our table. "Tessa, dear, your candle looks beautiful!"
"Thank you!" I chirp.
"And is this your fiancé?"
"Yes!" I reply and nudge Hardin under the table.
Hardin clears his throat and nods as he introduces himself. "Hardin," he mumbles.
"Oh, it's so great to meet the young man who wanted such a perfect weekend for his beautiful bride-to-be! And your candle is... well, this was a very good try," she says with a smile before moving on to the next table.
"What the fuck?" Hardin says, clearly losing his patience.
"Shhh!" I scold.
"If one more person insults my candle..."
"It doesn't feel very nice when someone is constantly making fun of something you're not very good at, does it? Maybe you'll think twice next time you want to make fun of my cooking." I stick my tongue out at Hardin.
"Well, clearly you're better at the arts and crafts. You can make the candles and I'll cook the dinners." Hardin chuckles.
"Okay, we'll have candlelit dinners for the rest of our lives." I smile.
"Can we go now, Tess?" Hardin groans.
"We'll go in a minute. I want to talk to Betty first. I'll be right back," I say before rushing over to her.
"Did you enjoy today's activity, dear?" Betty asks with a warm smile.
"Yes! It was very fun." I return her smile.
"Hardin seemed a bit grumpy." She laughs.
"Oh, he's always like that." I giggle.
"My husband, Ed, is the same way. He acts all tough on the outside, but he has a good heart. I can tell Hardin is the same way."
"He is." I smile.
"And the way he looks at you... That boy is definitely head over heels," she says with her brightest smile yet.
"I am, too." I blush.
"Well, you better go dear. Hardin looks bored." She laughs. "I hope to see you for tomorrow's activity!"
"You will. Thank you for today." I wave goodbye and make my way back to Hardin.
"Now can we go?" Hardin asks impatiently.
"Yes. Stop being so grumpy and you might get lucky tonight."
"Might? I'm definitely getting lucky tonight," he says as he nuzzles into my neck.
"Grab your candle and let's go upstairs."
Before we make it upstairs, Hardin stops. "Tess, I'll meet you upstairs. I have to do something quickly."
"Oh, okay," I reply before Hardin rushes off. I take our candles upstairs with me and wait for Hardin to return.