Chapter 113
**Sara**
I felt relief and anxiety as we stepped out into the cool night air. Dinner had been a minefield of near-misses and stolen glances, and I was ready to crawl into bed and forget the whole evening.
"Well, that was fun," Jessica chirped, her voice a touch too loud. "We should do this again sometime. Maybe next time I'll bring Brad. He's great at parties. Always knows how to liven things up."
I shot her a warning look, but she just winked at me.
"I'll call us a cab," I said quickly, fishing my phone out of my purse.
Tom's voice cut through the night before I could even unlock the screen. "No need. I can drop you ladies off on my way home."
My heart did a little somersault. The idea of being in close quarters with Tom after that footsie session under the table was both thrilling and terrifying.
"Oh, that's so kind of you," Sophia said, her voice dripping with sweetness. "But before you go, Sara, could I have a quick word?"
Before I could respond, Sophia had linked her arm through mine, steering me away from the group. We stopped by a large potted plant, just out of earshot of the others.
"Listen, Sara," Sophia began, her voice low and conspiratorial. "I know you're a big girl, but I feel like I should say something."
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Oh?"
Sophia leaned in closer, her perfume wafting over me. "You know, at Daniel's birthday party? I saw you and Tom in the kitchen. Quite the steamy little rendezvous you two had going on."
My face flushed hot enough to fry an egg. "I... uh..."
"Don't worry, Daniel was too busy trying to figure out how to cut his cake without setting the house on fire. But honey, that was some kiss. I thought you two might spontaneously combust on my granite countertop."
I wanted to sink into the ground. Or evaporate. Anything to escape this conversation.
Sophia continued, her eyebrows wiggling suggestively. "So, spill the beans. Are you two an item now? Or is this just a fun little romp in the hay? Because let me tell you, Tom's always been a bit of a heartbreaker. And that age gap... I mean, you're what, early twenties? And Tom's early thirties. Doesn't that make things a bit... complicated?"
I remained silent, my brain short-circuiting as it tried to process Sophia's rapid-fire questions. My lack of response didn't deter her.
"Look, I'm not here to judge. Lord knows I've had my fair share; let's call them 'adventures.' But you seem like a sweet girl and Tom's family. I just want to ensure you know what you're getting into."
She paused, giving me a once-over that made me feel under a microscope. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? Have fun, live a little, but don't forget to care for yourself. Use protection - and I'm not just talking about condoms. Guard that heart of yours, too."
I nodded dumbly, still unable to form words.
"And hey, don't let all this excitement derail your studies. An MBA is no joke. Tom may be a distraction, but don't let him become a detour, you hear me?"
Before I could even respond, Daniel's voice cut through the tension, calling out from the porch where he stood leaning against the railing. "What are you two whispering about over there? Plotting world domination?"
Sophia turned, her face morphing into a picture of innocence. "Oh, you know, just girl talk. Sara told me about this amazing new face mask she's been using. Weren't you, Sara?"
I nodded weakly, praying my face wasn't as red as it felt.
"Right," Daniel said, clearly not buying it. "Well, if you're done sharing beauty secrets, Tom's ready to head out."
Sophia waved him off with a flick of her wrist. "Oh, hush, you. We'll be there in a minute." She turned back to me. "Now, where were we?"
I opened my mouth, ready to make some lame excuse and bolt, but Sophia beat me.
"I want you to know I'm not judging you. Not even a little bit. Your secrets are safe with me." She winked, giving my arm a squeeze. "Hell, I've been there myself," she whispered conspiratorially.
I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden shift in tone. "You... have?"
Sophia nodded. "Let me tell you about my college days. There was this gym trainer - abs you could grate cheese on, I swear. We had a little... arrangement."
My jaw dropped. "You're kidding."
"Nope," she said, popping the 'p' with relish. "Three glorious months of sneaking around, working on my... flexibility." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Wow. I never would have guessed."
"That's the point, isn't it?" Sophia nudged me playfully. "We all have our little secrets. The trick is knowing how to keep them." She paused, giving me a meaningful look. "And how to have fun while you're at it."
I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me. Here I was, thinking Sophia would lecture me, and instead, she was... encouraging me?
"Thanks," I murmured. "For understanding, I mean. It's just... Tom and I. We're not even really dating. It's more like..."
"Just sex?" Sophia finished for me, her grin widening.
"Yeah. It's complicated, I guess. With him being my professor and all."
"That is deliciously scandalous. I love it." She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling. "Is he as good in bed as in the classroom?"
I sputtered, caught between embarrassment and a weird urge to brag. "I... uh... well..."
She laughed, patting my arm. "Don't worry, I'm not fishing for details. Just... enjoy it, okay? Life's too short to pass up a good thing when it comes along. Besides, it's better to have a little fun now and then, don't you think? No strings attached, just pure enjoyment. That's what makes life interesting."
Sophia's unexpected support had lifted a weight off my shoulders I didn't even know I was carrying.
"You're right," I admitted. "And trust me, it's been... interesting."
"Oh, I bet it has. You know what they say about the quiet ones."
We shared a conspiratorial giggle, and for a moment, I felt like I was back in high school, gossiping with my best friend about our latest crushes.
"Come on," Sophia said, linking her arm through mine. "Let's get back before they send out a search party. Or worse, Tom comes looking for you himself. I'm not sure my poor kitchen could handle another steamy encounter."
I playfully swatted her arm, my cheeks burning. "Oh my god, stop!"
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