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

“Boston? But it’s New Year’s Eve.”

“Yes.” I kiss her lips, pulling away and ignoring the pang inside my chest for leaving her. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I begin to walk out of the door when she calls my name, forcing me to turn around.

“Will,” she repeats, biting her lip as if she’s nervous or hiding something. “Have a safe flight.”

The meetings in Boston carried on longer than necessary. The boring old fuckers had nothing better to do than bring up irrelevant numbers from the past like I give a fuck. After that ended, there was a small event being held at an expensive restaurant in the city. I agreed to make a brief appearance, telling them I had plans back in the city and needed to be on the six o’clock flight back to JFK.

None of them seem to care, nor listen, offering me drink after drink until I politely tell them I have to leave.

“Mr. Romano.”

My name is called, and as I turn around, it’s none other than Juliette Olivier, a French woman I slept with after my break-up with Luciana.

Juliette is draped in a gold cocktail dress, a split running up her leg, stopping mid-thigh. She’s just as sexy as I remember and, and most likely, just as cunning.

She kisses both my cheeks, then pulls away with a deep stare.

“It’s been a while,” she says, unapologetic with her flirtatious smile. “I see you’re alone.”

“I was just leaving,” I tell her politely. “A flight back to New York.”

“Well, that’s a shame.” She places her hand on my shoulder, then leans in and whispers, “I’d hate to be alone tonight. Perhaps, you should join me?”

I pull away, pursing my lips. “As I said, I have to go. It was nice seeing you, Juliette.”

I swiftly walk out of the room and outside to catch a cab to the airport with my hands in my pocket. I quickly send Amelia a text letting her know I’m on my way home.

Me: I’m about to board my flight. See you soon.

Amelia: See you soon xx

My flight was delayed, something about mechanical failure, making it arrive at JFK just after ten. As the driver takes me home, I send Amelia another text.

Me: I’m sorry, my flight was delayed. Be there soon.

Amelia: K

Judging by the response, I suspect Amelia is less than pleased. It’s just clocked over to eleven when I enter the apartment. She’s sitting on the couch, dressed beautifully in an emerald- green dress accentuated with intricate beading. The garment is long, touching the floor, all of which makes her appear more mature than the short dresses she normally wears. With her legs crossed, her eyes fixate on the wall with a disappointed gleam in her eyes.

“I’m sorry for being late.”

I lean in to kiss her, but she pulls back.

“Is this how it’s going to be from now on?”

“Amelia,” I warn her gently.

“No, Will.” She raises her palm to stop me, standing up to create distance between us. “All I do is wait around for you. It’s always about work.”

“Of course, it’s about work,” I shout, tired, trying to unknot my tie. “What do you want me to do? Drop everything for you?”

She shakes her head, then lowers her eyes to the ground. “This will never change, will it?”

“I don’t know how you want me to answer that.”

“And on top of that, I don’t know how long I can go on hiding all this. It’s exhausting!”