After We Collided

Tessa wakes late in the afternoon on her birthday and is happy to see well-wishing texts on her phone from many of her friends. She calls her mother and tells her she’s sick, and then settles in with the e-reader and Chinese takeout. Hardin doesn’t call or text, prompting Tessa to compare him to Trevor. Landon comes by. He says that Hardin loves Tessa, but “love doesn’t always go hand in hand with common sense” (116). Still, Landon admits that Hardin came to him for advice on his relationship with Tessa and reveals that Hardin didn’t actually sleep with Molly. When Landon learns that Tessa plans to stay at the motel for Christmas, he suggests she come to his home—his mother probably bought her a gift. Tessa might go to the apartment she and Hardin share because Hardin is supposed to be in London.

Tessa goes back to the apartment, unpacks her clothes, starts some laundry, does some cleaning, and puts her food in the surprisingly well-stocked kitchen. Hardin suddenly arrives with his mother in tow. It is clear immediately that Hardin’s mother, Trish Daniels, doesn’t know that Tessa and Hardin have broken up.

Trish is excited to meet Tessa. Privately, Hardin admits to Tessa that he hasn’t told his mother about the breakup, unhappy to spoil Trish’s excitement that he finally found someone to love. Tessa reluctantly agrees to play along. Later, Trish convinces Tessa to spend the night. Hardin promises to tell his mother the truth the next day.

Hardin and Tessa watch a movie with Trish, and then make dinner. Tessa wonders why Hardin is being too nice and quiet. He doesn’t want to say anything wrong. Tessa no longer wants to fight. After cleaning up, Tessa finds Hardin in the bedroom crying. He apologizes again and asks Tessa not to leave.

Neither Tessa nor Hardin can sleep. Hardin offers to turn on the television, and then admits to Tessa that he didn’t sleep with Molly. Hardin asks about the man Tessa kissed, interrogating her until Tessa tells him he has no right to push so hard.

Hardin thinks about a girl he took to dinner while apart from Tessa and how disinterested he’s felt in her. He realizes he’s too intense in his jealousy with Tessa and needs to give her a little space, deciding he will fix what’s gone wrong between them.

Tessa arrives at her mother’s. Tessa’s mother wants to invite Noah and his family to dinner so that they can see how well Tessa is doing. Tessa takes a nap until her mother wakes her to let her know Noah is there. Noah tells Tessa that her estranged father, a volatile man with a substance use disorder, is back in town. Tessa confronts her mother and learns it’s true. Tessa is so upset, she leaves. Tessa calls Hardin and tells him she’s coming back.

Hardin meets Tessa in the parking lot and escorts her back to the apartment. Tessa tells him what happened. She is angry that her mother didn’t tell her that her father had left town or that he was now back. Tessa asks to stay at the apartment for a while, and Hardin agrees.

After Hardin brings her things back to the apartment, Tessa convinces him to keep his plans to go to the mall with Trish. While they’re gone, Tessa straightens up the apartment and makes dinner. It’s late when Hardin and Trish return. That night, Hardin has a nightmare. Tessa wakes him, settles him on the bed, and gets him a glass of water. Trish asks what’s happening, and Tessa admits Hardin had a nightmare. Tessa returns to the bedroom and climbs into bed with Hardin.

Hardin leaves early in the morning, claiming to have work to do. Tessa and Trish have coffee and talk about Hardin’s nightmare. Tessa admits to knowing about the attack on Trish when Hardin was young. Trish expresses gratefulness for Tessa being there for Hardin; Trish attempted to get him therapy, but he refused to speak to anyone. Tessa then admits that she and Hardin broke up because Hardin told a massive lie. Trish says Tessa shouldn’t feel obligated to forgive Hardin, but she can see a change in him since he began seeing Tessa.

Trish and Tessa go out to get their hair done and do some shopping. When they return to the apartment, they find Hardin working on the couch. In the bedroom, Hardin admits to Tessa that he went to speak to Landon that morning about Tessa. They quarrel, but decide to move forward with their relationship.

Landon asks Tessa to his house for Christmas. He invites Hardin and Trish as well, but Hardin refuses. Tessa realizes she doesn’t have any gifts for Landon and his family. She and Hardin go shopping at the mall. There, they run into Stephanie, Tessa’s former roommate, and Tristan, Stephanie’s boyfriend and a friend of Hardin’s. Tessa can’t forgive Stephanie for not telling her about the bet between Hardin and Zed. Stephanie points out that what Hardin did was worse, but Tessa forgave him. Tessa sees the truth in that statement. Stephanie also tells Tessa about Hardin beating up Jace for being involved with telling the truth about the bet to Tessa.

Tessa and Hardin finish their shopping, grabbing some sports-related items for Ken and hockey tickets for Landon. They return to the apartment, have dinner, and set up a Christmas tree with Trish. Afterward, Tessa asks to speak to Hardin about Jace. Hardin explains that Jace put Molly up to telling Tessa about the bet so that Jace could attempt to sleep with Tessa. Hardin admits that the bet was wrong, but without it, he wouldn’t have fallen in love with her. Tessa realizes she feels the same.

Hardin promises to never hurt Tessa again. Tessa is scared of being used and mistreated by people who are supposed to care about her. They express love for each other, and Tessa asks Hardin to take things slow. Hardin agrees.

They kiss and cuddle on the bed. Tessa doesn’t have a Christmas present for Hardin, but he assures her that it’s okay. Tessa makes Hardin promise to be nicer to his mom, and they settle down to watch a movie with Trish. As they make cookies, Tessa mentions Karen, Ken’s new wife. Trish learns that Hardin has been spending time with Ken, which is why Trish sent him to Washington State to go to university in the first place. Trish also has a new boyfriend—their long-time neighbor, Mike.

Hardin finds it difficult to sleep beside Tessa and not touch her, but repeatedly reminds himself she wants to go slow. Tessa also can’t keep her hands off him, so they have sex.

Tessa’s mother calls, insisting Tessa come home for the holiday. Tessa refuses. Hardin, Tessa, and Trish discuss opening their presents on Christmas Eve since they won’t be together on Christmas Day, but Tessa lets it slip that Landon invited Trish and Hardin to Ken and Karen’s. To everyone’s surprise, Trish would like to go. The three open presents; Tessa is surprised that Hardin has bought her a charm bracelet with charms that are meaningful to their relationship, including an infinity symbol customized to look like one of Hardin’s tattoos.

Tessa thanks Hardin with a passionate kiss. Hardin takes a nap, and Tessa settles in with her e-reader, until she hears her mother’s voice. Her mother has burst through the door to drag Tessa home. Trish is blocking her, but when Tessa’s mother announces that Hardin made a bet with his friend over who would take Tessa’s virginity first, Trish immediately backs off, confronting Hardin and asking, “Have you forgotten what happened last time?” (218).

Tessa is shocked by Trish’s comment, but also outraged that her mother would share information given to her in confidence. Hardin confronts Tessa’s mother over invading their home. Trish argues that Hardin was wrong, but Tessa’s mother is just as wrong for trying to control her daughter. Tessa finally loses it. She refuses to go with her mother and yells at her for pushing Noah on her. Tessa begins to tell her mother she hates her, but Hardin pulls her back, covering her mouth.

Hardin drags Tessa into the bedroom. He doesn’t want her to say things she won’t be able to take back. He tells Tessa to calm down, then goes back out into the living room to escort Tessa’s mother from the apartment. When Tessa’s mother blames Hardin for everything, he makes a vulgar comment about his sexual connection with Tessa.