Chapter 105
**Sara**
As we stepped into the elevator, I felt a little thrill of excitement. It was nice to do normal couple things like going out for an impromptu dinner.
"So," Tom said as the elevator descended, "any ideas yet on where we're going?"
I bit my lip, thinking. "How about we just walk and see where we end up?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You really are embracing this whole spontaneity thing, aren't you?"
"Hey, go big or go home, right?"
The elevator dinged, and we stepped out into the lobby. The cool night air hit us as we exited the building, and I shivered slightly. Tom shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
"Such a gentleman," I teased, snuggling into the warmth of his jacket. It smelled like him - a mix of cologne and something uniquely Tom.
"I try," he said with a wink. "Now, which way, captain?"
I pointed dramatically to the left. "That way!"
We set off down the street, our shoulders bumping occasionally as we walked. The city was alive around us, people rushing to and fro, and the sound of traffic was a constant background hum.
"You know," Tom mused, "when you said you wanted to go out, I didn't realize you meant aimless wandering."
I elbowed him playfully. "Hey, it's not aimless. We have an aim."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Food, obviously."
"Ah yes, how could I forget? The sacred quest for sustenance."
As we turned a corner, a delicious smell wafted towards us. My stomach growled loudly in response.
Tom chuckled. "I think your stomach is trying to tell us something."
I sniffed the air, trying to pinpoint the source of the smell. "Oh my god, is that pizza?"
"I believe it is," Tom confirmed, nodding toward a pizzeria across the street. "Shall we investigate?"
"Oh, we shall," I said, dragging him towards the crosswalk.
Tom laughed as he let me pull him along. "Careful, Sara. I'm not as young as I used to be. My old bones might not keep up with your enthusiasm."
"Oh, please. You're thirty-one, not ninety-one. Now move it, old man. Pizza awaits!"
We jaywalked across the street, dodging a honking cab. The neon sign of "The Hot Oven Pizzeria" beckoned us like a beacon of cheesy goodness. As we stepped inside, the smell of garlic and tomato sauce enveloped us. My mouth watered instantly.
"Table for two?" a waiter asked, eyeing us with a knowing smirk.
"Yes, please," Tom replied, his hand resting on the small of my back as we followed the waiter to a cozy booth in the corner.
We slid into our seats, and I immediately buried my nose in the menu. "Oh my god. They have a pizza with mac and cheese on it. I think I'm in love."
"Should I be jealous of a pizza?" He quirked an eyebrow at me over his menu.
"Absolutely."
The waiter returned, notepad in hand. "What can I get for you lovebirds?"
I felt my cheeks heat up at the 'lovebirds' comment, but Tom didn't miss a beat. "We'll have the mac and cheese pizza, please. And two beers."
As the waiter jotted down our order, I couldn't help but fidget with the napkin. Tom seemed calm and collected while I was here, blushing like a schoolgirl.
"Coming right up," the waiter said with a wink before sauntering off.
"So," Tom leaned in, his voice low and teasing, "are we lovebirds now?"
"In your dreams, professor."
"Oh, trust me, in my dreams, we're much more than lovebirds," he replied with a smirk that made my insides flip.
Before I could come up with a witty retort, our beers arrived. I took a long swig, grateful for the distraction.
The waiter was back, balancing our pizza on one hand like a circus act.
"Here you go, folks. One mac and cheese pizza, hot and ready." He set it down with a flourish, the smell of melted cheese and garlic making my mouth water instantly.
"This looks amazing," I said, eyeing the gooey, cheesy goodness.
"I think I just lost you to a pizza."
I was about to grab a slice when Tom's next words made me freeze.
"So, have you told Jessica about us?" he asked casually as if he was asking about the weather.
"What?"
"Jessica. Your friend. Have you told her about... this?" He gestured between us.
I set my beer down, suddenly feeling like I needed both hands free for this conversation. "Um, not exactly."
"Not exactly? What does that mean?"
I squirmed in my seat. "She knows about... the first time. You know, when it was supposed to be just a one-night thing."
"Supposed to be," Tom repeated.
"Right," I nodded. "But she doesn't know about... the rest."
Tom leaned back, crossing his arms. "And why is that?"
I squirmed in my seat, suddenly finding the pizza far less appetizing. "It's... complicated," I said, fiddling with my napkin. "Well, before you even stepped foot in our class, Jessica was all worked up about this 'hot new professor' coming to lecture us. She was practically drooling, saying she might actually drag her ass to an 8 AM class if you were as gorgeous as the rumors claimed."
"Oh really?" He leaned forward. "Do tell me more about these flattering rumors."
"Don't let it go to your head, old man. Anyway, she was going on about how she might try to pursue you herself. I told her it was a terrible idea, that I wasn't interested in dating professors, young or old, hot or not. After our first... encounter, Jessica thought it was just a one-night stand. She's had suspicions since then, but if she finds out we're seeing each other regularly, she'll never let me hear the end of it. The teasing would be relentless."
"So, what do you think of me, Sara? Old or young? Hot or not?"
"Seriously? You're fishing for compliments now?"
"Just curious about your professional assessment," he said with a wink.
I set my beer down, narrowing my eyes at him. "Fine. Do you want the truth? Yes, you're older than me. And yes, you're... hot." The last word came out as barely more than a whisper.
Tom's grin widened. "I'm sorry, what was that last part? I didn't quite catch it."
"Oh, shut up," I grumbled, reaching for a slice of pizza to distract myself.
I took a big bite of the pizza, savoring the gooey cheese and trying to ignore Tom's smug grin. But, of course, he wasn't about to let it go.
"Come on, Sara," he pressed, leaning forward with that infuriating smirk. "What did you say? I'm dying to hear it again."
I swallowed my mouthful of pizza and took a swig of beer. "I said nothing. Absolutely nothing. You must be hearing things in your old age."
"Oh really? Why don't you call me old when we're in bed tonight? I'll show you just how... seasoned I am. And trust me, I'll take my sweet time getting my revenge."
The pizza slice in my hand suddenly felt very warm. Or that was just me. I cleared my throat, trying to maintain my composure. "Is that a threat or a promise, professor?"
"Both," he replied with a wink.
I took another bite of pizza, chewing slowly as I considered my next move. "Alright then," I said, swallowing. "I'll be sure to remind you of your advanced years tonight. Let's see what kind of revenge you can dish out, old timer."
"You're in for it now."
"Bring it on," I challenged, licking a bit of sauce from my finger in what I hoped was a seductive manner. Judging by the way Tom's eyes darkened, I'd say it worked.
He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "You know, suddenly, I'm not so hungry for pizza anymore."
"Too bad. I'm starving." I took an exaggeratedly large bite, moaning perhaps a bit too enthusiastically as I chewed. "Mmm, so good."
"You're playing a dangerous game."
I shrugged innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm just enjoying my pizza. Maybe your old brain is imagining things."
"Keep it up," he warned. "See what happens."
"I'm shaking in my boots. What are you gonna do, assign me extra homework?"
"I have much more creative punishments in mind."
"Do tell," I purred.
He shook his head, smirking. "Nuh-uh. You'll just have to wait and see."
I pouted playfully. "Spoilsport."
"Brat," he shot back, but no heat was in it.
We fell into a comfortable silence, focusing on our food. But the tension in the air was palpable, crackling between us like electricity. Occasionally, our eyes would meet over the pizza, and I'd feel the anticipation.
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