The Trouble With Love: An Age Gap Romance (The Forbidden Love 1)

I absently fidget with my phone. “Uh, no. There’s no time. Plus, these college boys are all the same. Everyone is interested in sex, and the maturity is… let’s just say they lack exactly that.”

The more I hear myself speak, the more I come across as some snob. Just because I’m dating someone a lot older than me doesn’t make these men any less appealing. But the more I spent time with Will, the more juvenile college guys seem.

“God forbid your father ever hears this because if you could become a nun, he’d hand over every dollar of ours to make it so,” Mom jokes, her smile softening. “Just be open to life. Studying is important, but so is dating. It’s how you discover yourself.”

“You discover yourself through dating?”

“Yes.” Mom chuckles openly. “What you will or will not sacrifice. What you desire, how you enjoy spending your time… a lot can be said for dating.”

“So, did you date? I mean, I know parts of your story.”

“I tried,” she admits, followed by a sigh, “But no one compared to your father.”

“Ever?”

Mom hesitates, her lips pressing together in a slight grimace. It comes to mind what Ava told me about Uncle Julian. I wonder if Mom will take this opportunity to mention this, validating the so-called rumor.

“No one came close,” she simply replies.

We gain some momentum on the freeway, and I change the topic to my sisters. According to Mom, Ava is an even bigger headache now that she’s in her senior year. Addison wants to transfer to a boarding school, going through a Harry Potter phase, which my parents have said a big fat no to. Alexandra, being a sporty kid, is taking up most of their weekends with soccer games.

When we finally pull into the driveway, all the memories come flooding back, almost like I never left.

And it doesn’t take long to get settled into my old home life, though this time, it feels different and not at all like I assumed it would be. My sisters are relentless in wanting my attention. It’s somewhat of a good thing as it doesn’t give me time to dwell on Will.

My dad is busy with work, as usual. He flew to San Jose for the day, arriving home late when we finally caught up.

The day before Christmas, I decide I must go shopping given that I haven’t bought anyone presents. Ava, of course, insists she come despite my need to be alone. Going from a dorm room of just Liesel and me to a house full of family will take getting used to again. I have almost forgotten what it’s like to think about somebody else’s needs.

The first morning in my old bed, I woke up to the California sun seeping through my large bay window. My eyes, heavy and tired, feel like I haven’t slept at all. As I continue to lay here, I recall a vivid dream I had about Will. We were at some fancy party, and everyone was dressed in cocktail attire. I entered the room to find Will in the corner with a woman. She was beautiful, wearing a sequined red dress. As I tried to walk over to him, people stopped me. I’d reach out my arms, but the closer I got, the further away he moved. Then, my dad stands in front of me, arms crossed, and demands I go home, telling me that no kids are allowed at the party.

It was all I can remember, and the dream leaves me extremely unsettled. I close my eyes again, but this time when I sleep, my dream is more pleasant. I’m lying with Will in his bed, and he’s devouring my entire body. Just as I’m about to come, my eyes spring open to the sound of Ava shouting down the hallway to Addison.

The nerve of her.

Clenching my jaw, on the verge of yelling at her to shut the fuck up, I grab my phone and check the time, noting it’s already ten on the East Coast. My fingers type quickly, sending Will a text.

Me: I dreamed about you last night. It was… interesting.

The phone begins to buzz in my hands. I answer in a low voice so no one can hear me. Turning to my side, I tuck my hand underneath my face.

“You can’t just drop the word interesting and expect me to pretend like it’s nothing,” Will chastises, the sound of his smooth voice making me miss him more. “Was anyone naked?”

“Where are you?”

“In the office.”

I laugh softly. “Yes, there was nudity amongst other things.”

“Oh, do tell? I have a meeting in ten minutes but could probably get myself off in less than thirty seconds if you continue talking.”

“Lucky you,” I tell him with sarcasm. “Meanwhile, I’ll just continue to lie here desperate as fuck.”

“You paint such a vivid picture.”

“How’s work?”

“How’s work?” he repeats. “You can’t just go from telling me you had a dream about us fucking to how’s work? I pegged you for many things, but a cocktease isn’t one of them.”