Hardin Scott’s love for Tessa Young doesn’t spark like lightning—it simmers slowly, quietly, and deeply. It’s not love at first sight. In fact, when they first meet, he’s defensive, reckless, and emotionally guarded. But over time, something shifts. In the chaos of their fights and the softness of their private moments, Hardin begins to feel something unfamiliar: vulnerability, connection, and yes—love.
Many fans point to a key moment in After—their time at the lake house. It’s there, away from the noise of college life and their complicated surroundings, that Hardin starts to let his guard down. For the first time, he allows Tessa to see a version of himself that’s stripped of anger and arrogance. He reads to her, watches her with a quiet intensity, and shares pieces of his past without hiding behind sarcasm. It’s in those quiet moments—when his walls start to crumble—that love starts to grow.
But Hardin doesn’t admit it to himself yet. He’s spent so long running from emotional intimacy that even when he feels it, he doesn’t fully understand it. It isn’t until the truth about the bet comes out—a cruel mistake that shatters Tessa’s trust—that Hardin realizes just how deeply he feels. Watching her walk away, watching her cry because of him, he doesn’t just feel regret—he feels heartbreak. And heartbreak, in his case, is the mirror he needs to finally recognize the truth: he loves her.
Hardin’s love isn’t perfect. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and sometimes it’s painfully selfish. But it’s also real. He learns to love through trial and error, through forgiveness and self-reflection. He doesn’t just want Tessa—he needs to be better for her. And slowly, he begins the difficult journey of becoming the kind of man who deserves her love.
So, when does Hardin fall in love with Tessa? It happens over time—through soft glances, whispered apologies, and soul-baring conversations. It’s a process, not a single moment. But if you look closely, you can see it starting long before he says the words out loud.
