Chapter 25
**Tom**
We entered the coffee shop, the smell of freshly ground beans and baked goods filling the air. It was busy but not packed. Perfect for a conversation that needed to be private but not too private.
"So," Sara began as we sat down with our coffees. "This is... weird."
"Weird?" I echoed. "I prefer to think of it as an unexpected plot twist in the boring novel of academia."
She snorted into her latte. "Well, that's one way to put it."
I sipped my coffee, buying time to gather my thoughts. "Look, Sara, I want you to know that I'm not... I mean, I didn't... This isn't..."
"Wow, you really are terrible at this," she interrupted, but her tone was more amused than annoyed.
I laughed, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. "I am, aren't I? I swear, I'm usually much more articulate. Must be something in the coffee."
"Or maybe it's the company," she teased.
"Could be," I admitted. "You do have a knack for making me tongue-tied."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how they sounded. Sara's eyes widened, and I felt my face heat up.
"That's not... I didn't mean..." I stammered.
"Relax, Tom," she said, taking pity on me. "I know what you meant. And for what it's worth, you have the same effect on me."
We sat silently for a moment, both of us processing the situation.
"So," I finally said, "where do we go from here?"
Sara sighed, stirring her coffee absently. "I don't know. This is... complicated."
"Understatement of the century," I muttered.
I watched Sara's face as she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. I braced myself, feeling like I was about to be hit by a freight train of reality.
"Look, Tom," she began, her voice low and steady but her eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability. "We had a one-night stand. It was... well, it was pretty amazing if I'm being honest." She blushed slightly, and I felt a surge of pride. "But you're a professor, and I'm a student. We can't keep doing this."
I nodded, trying to look responsible and professorial but probably just looking constipated again.
Sara continued, her words tumbling out faster now. "I mean, don't get me wrong, the sex was... wow. Like, earth-shattering, mind-blowing, see-stars-and-forget-your-own-name kind of wow." She paused, looking a bit embarrassed by her own enthusiasm. "But that doesn't change that this is wrong on so many levels."
"So, what I'm hearing is that I rocked your world?"
She rolled her eyes, but I could see the smile she was trying to hide. "Focus, Tom. This is serious."
"I know, I know. It's just... I can't stop thinking about you, Sara. You're like a song stuck in my head, but instead of being annoying, it's the best damn song I've ever heard."
"Please tell me you're not about to break into a musical number."
"Only if you join me for a duet," I quipped before turning serious. "But really, Sara. I know this is complicated, but—"
"But nothing," she interrupted. "You need to find a girl around your age—someone who isn't your student, someone who doesn't make this whole situation feel like we're starring in a bad rom-com."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying our love story wouldn't be a blockbuster hit?"
"Tom," she warned.
"Okay, okay," I conceded. "But just out of curiosity, how old do you think I am?"
"I don't know, mid-thirties?" she guessed.
I clutched my chest in mock horror. "Ouch! I'll have you know I'm a sprightly 31."
Sara looked surprised. "Really? Huh. Well, I'm 23, so that's still... what, an eight-year gap?"
I shrugged. "Not that bad, really. I mean, it's not like I'm old enough to be your father or anything."
"Unless you were a very precocious eight-year-old," she joked.
I laughed. "Fair point. But seriously, why do I need to find someone else? And for what exactly?"
Sara looked at me like I was a particularly slow student. "For a relationship, maybe? You know, that thing where two people date and get to know each other instead of just jumping into bed and avoiding eye contact in class?"
I leaned back in my chair, considering her words. "But what if I'm not looking for a relationship right now? What if I'm just looking for... pleasure?"
Sara's eyes widened. "Tom!"
"What?" I defended myself. "I'm just being honest. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy our night together."
She blushed again. "That's not the point. We can't... I can't... This just isn't going to work."
I nodded slowly, feeling a mix of disappointment and resignation. "Okay. I understand."
We sat silently for a moment, and the bustling coffee shop suddenly felt quiet.
"So," I said, trying to lighten the mood, "I guess this means you won't be staying after class for any... extra credit assignments?"
Sara nearly choked on her coffee. "Tom!"
I held up my hands in surrender. "Kidding, kidding! Just trying to end this on a high note."
"You're impossible, you know that?"
"I prefer to think of myself as charmingly persistent," I grinned.
Sara stood up, gathering her things. "Well, Mr. Charmingly Persistent, I think it's time for me to go. I have a class to get to, and you probably have some papers to grade or something equally thrilling."
I nodded, standing up as well. "Ah yes, the glamorous life of a professor. Nothing quite like spending my evenings with a red pen and a stack of essays on the thrilling topic of corporate finance."
We walked to the door together, pausing awkwardly before stepping outside.
"So," I said, "I guess I'll see you in class?"
Sara nodded. "Yeah, in class. You'll be Professor Blackwood, and I'll be just another student."
"Right," I agreed, trying to ignore the twinge of disappointment in my chest. "Just another student."
We stood there for a moment, neither of us quite ready to leave.
"Well," Sara finally said, "goodbye, Tom."
"Goodbye, Sara," I replied softly.
As she walked away, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching the credits roll on a movie that had barely begun. But hey, at least we'd always have that one night in Paris. Or, you know, my apartment. Close enough, right?
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