Chapter 137
**Sara**
As we stepped into the cafe, I felt like I'd been transported to another world. The interior was even more impressive than the outside. The walls were adorned with vintage sheet music, and actual piano keys lined the bar. Soft jazz played in the background, and I swore I could smell freshly baked croissants.
"Okay, I'll admit it," I said, unable to keep the awe out of my voice. "This place is pretty damn cool."
"I'm glad you like it. Shall we grab a table?"
We settled into a cozy booth near the back, our knees brushing under the table. I tried to ignore the jolt of electricity that shot through me at the contact.
A waiter appeared, dressed in a tuxedo-style uniform complete with coattails. "Welcome to Forte," he said with a flourish. "May I interest you in our daily special? We have a delightful duet of dark roast and caramel macchiato."
I couldn't help but giggle at the theatrical presentation. "I'll just have a regular latte, thanks."
"Excellent choice, madam," the waiter said with a bow. "And for you, sir?"
Tom ordered an espresso, and the waiter swept away with another dramatic flourish.
"So," I said, leaning forward on my elbows. "Is this where you bring all your students for 'friendly coffee'?"
"Only the ones who nearly wreck my car."
"Hey, I didn't wreck anything. We're both still in one piece, aren't we?"
"Barely," he teased. "I think I lost a few years of my life back there."
"Oh, please. A little excitement is good for you. Keeps the blood pumping."
His gaze dropped to my lips for a fraction of a second. "I can think of other ways to get the blood pumping."
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Nice try, but I'm not falling for your tricks."
Just then, our drinks arrived, saving me from having to come up with a wittier response. I wrapped my hands around the warm mug, inhaling the rich aroma of coffee and steamed milk. The first sip was heavenly, and I couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.
"Good?" Tom asked, eyes twinkling.
"Mmm, very," I replied, licking a bit of foam from my upper lip. I didn't miss how his gaze followed my tongue's movement.
Tom cleared his throat, taking a sip of his espresso. "You know, I used to come here quite often with friends back in the day."
"Oh yeah?" I asked, genuinely curious. It was rare to get a glimpse into Tom's past.
He nodded. "We'd spend hours arguing about everything from philosophy to the best way to pick up girls." He chuckled. "Now everyone's too busy with their jobs, businesses, families... Life has a way of getting in the way, I suppose."
I glanced around the café, taking in the cozy atmosphere and the soft jazz playing in the background. "Well, I can see why you liked it. This place is amazing. And the coffee..." I took another sip, savoring the rich flavor. "Definitely lives up to the hype."
We sat in comfortable silence, each lost in our thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder about the man sitting across from me. What was he really thinking? What did he want from me?
Before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out of my mouth. "Tom, what's actually going on between us?"
He looked up from his espresso, eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"
I fidgeted with my mug, suddenly feeling nervous. "I mean... what is this? Are we just casual sex buddies? Are you looking for a relationship? Or is this some kind of weird student-teacher fantasy thing for you?"
Tom set down his cup, leaning back in his chair. "That's quite a loaded question, Sara. Care to be more specific?"
"Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I'm asking."
"Do I? Because it sounds like you're asking me to define our relationship, which is ironic considering our current challenge."
"Oh, shut up," I grumbled. "I'm not asking you to marry me or anything. I just... I don't know. I guess I want to know where your head's at."
Tom leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Where my head's at? Right now, it's thinking about how adorable you look when flustered."
I kicked him under the table. "Be serious!"
He laughed. "Okay, okay. You want the truth?"
I nodded, holding my breath.
"The truth is... I don't know."
I blinked. "You don't know?"
Tom shrugged, looking surprisingly vulnerable. "I like you, Sara. More than I probably should. But our situation is... complicated, to say the least."
"You can say that again," I muttered.
"I'm not looking for just casual sex," he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "But I also can't promise you a traditional relationship. Not while I'm still your professor."
I nodded slowly, processing his words. "So... what does that mean for us?"
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