Nodding, I stepped back when she stood. I don’t want to risk being too close. Honestly, I don’t know if I can control myself.
“I’ve got to go,” she said, smiling and racing out the door. I watched her leave on the run, reminded that she is a college student after all. I have to remind myself of that. She still has this school year until graduation, then the hardship of finding a job that uses the degree she worked so hard to get. All that stuff was in my distant past, and it was then that I realized the reality of the age difference. She has so much life to live and a lot of exploring to do. I’d already done all of that and was in the part of my life where I settled down. Why am I attracted to her? She isn’t anywhere near the same place as I am. It would never work. It is simply not worth the risk to explore a relationship with her when it would never go anywhere.
Jake. I need to talk to Jake. He’ll take me out and introduce me to ladies more suited to my current place in life. I’m dreading it, but I know it has to happen. I have to get Tessa out of my head, and there is only one way to do it.
I shot him a text. Call me.
The phone rang within seconds of me hitting the send button.
I answered. “Don’t you ever work?” I asked, by way of greeting.
“Yes, but I’m in my office so I can talk when I want. What’s up?”
“Feel like doing something this weekend? Maybe not a barbecue though, and you definitely can’t set me up with another one of your paralegals. I want to get out, though,” I told him.
“Hell yeah! How about we go get a few drinks after work tonight? It’s been a hell of a week, and I for one could use a drink,” he said.
I thought about it and remembered that it was a school night. I rolled my eyes at myself; I wasn’t not twelve after all. I could go out on a school night if I liked. One of the perks of being a grownup and all.
“Yeah, that sounds good. Not Chico’s, though,” I quickly added. I don’t want to risk running into Tessa. I’m going out with the sole intention of exorcising her from my head.
“That’s fine; I know a few other places. How about I pick you up at seven? I’ll bring an Uber so we can both drink,” he joked.
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready,” I told him, feeling better now that I had a plan in place. Hopefully, I will find a charming woman who I will fall madly, deeply in love with, and forget all about the sexy little assistant who has taken up residence in my head.
With the last class of the day done, I headed home and got ready for another night out. I was hoping this one ended a little better than the barbecue. Jake and his driver showed up about fifteen minutes early and before I knew it, we were being whisked away to another spot Jake claimed was clean, quiet and a hot spot for more mature ladies.
“I’m glad you called,” Jake said, sitting down at a table on the covered patio. “There is hope for you yet.”
I hoped so, but wasn’t quite so sure. I didn’t think Jake would think so either if he knew I had been lusting after my young assistant, who happened to be a student at the school I worked for. I’m sure there was a law he would quote.
“Thanks for being so patient with me, but I swear to God, if you try and set me up again, I will definitely kill you.”
He smiled, feigned innocence, then put his hand over his heart and said, “I would never do such a thing.”
I eyed him, suddenly suspicious. “Don’t tell me one of your paralegals is going to accidentally run into us while we’re here.”
He chuckled. “No. Just relax. I had to try, and Megan is a beautiful woman. You have to admit that, at least.”
“Yeah, she is, but not my type,” I said.
“You don’t have a type,” he shot back.
I had to bite my tongue. It seemed I did have a type, but not one he needed to know about.
“I’m exploring my options,” I said, holding back a laugh.
“Works for me. Geez, I need to eat something. Want to split an appetizer with me?” he asked.
“Sure. Something salty and greasy preferably.”
He rolled his eyes. “We’re in a bar. Is there anything but?”
I sometimes forgot Jake was only twenty-seven. . Grownups occasionally eat real food while they drink. Not that I would know, but I remembered Miriam always trying to pressure me into being more dignified. She loathed the idea of hot wings or cheese sticks.
“Jalapeno poppers,” I blurted out, suddenly remembering they had been my favorite snack to go with my beer back before Miriam nearly dragged me to the altar.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” My brother grinned, waving the waitress over.