Chapter 67

**Sara**

I stepped out of my apartment building, smoothing down my dress and taking a deep breath. The night air was crisp, and I could feel the anticipation buzzing through my veins. A cab was already waiting at the curb, as I'd requested. Perfect timing.
As I made my way towards the waiting car, my heels clicking on the pavement, a familiar voice called out from behind me.
"Sara?"
I froze my hand on the cab door. No. No way. This couldn't be happening. Slowly, I turned around, praying I was hallucinating.
But nope, there he was in all his cheating glory. Matt. My ex-boyfriend. The last person I wanted to see right now.
"Matt," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "What are you doing here?"
"I, uh, I came to see you. To take you to dinner, actually."
I couldn't believe my ears. Was he serious?
"To take me to dinner?" I repeated, my eyebrows shooting up. "Matt, did you hit your head or something? Are you suffering from amnesia?"
He frowned, looking confused. "What? No, I-"
"Because last time I checked, we broke up. Remember that whole thing with Victoria?"
"Sara, I know I messed up. But I've changed, I swear. I just want a chance to-"
"To what? Explain?" I scoffed. "Oh, please do. I'm dying to hear how you can justify what you did."
Matt took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "Sara, I know I messed up. But I've really changed. I swear. I want to make things right between us."
"Changed? In what, the last few weeks? That's rich, Matt."
"I have!" he insisted. "Look, I can prove it to you. Let me take you to dinner. We can talk and catch up. I'll show you how different things can be."
"You want to take me to dinner? Now?"
"Well, yeah," he said, gesturing at my dress. "You're already dressed up. And might I add, you look absolutely stunning."
"Thanks," I said flatly. "But I'm not interested in your compliments or dinner invitation."
"Come on, Sara. Just give me a chance to explain."
"Explain?" I laughed, but it came out more like a bark. "Matt, I don't want your explanations. I want you to leave. Now."
He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off with a sharp wave.
"No. We're done. Finished. Over. Please, just go."
Matt's eyes narrowed, and he glanced at my outfit again. "Wait a minute. Are you going somewhere? You're all dressed up and... Is that a new dress?"
"Seriously? That's what you're focusing on right now?"
"It's just... you look really nice. Maybe even a little sexy," he said, his voice dropping low.
"Ew, gross. Stop it," I snapped, fighting the urge to gag. "My wardrobe choices are none of your business anymore."
Matt took another step closer, and I instinctively backed up against the cab. "Come on, Sara. Where are you going? Who are you meeting?"
"That's none of your business," I hissed, yanking open the cab door. "I don't owe you any explanations."
"But-"
I slid into the backseat of the cab, slamming the door in Matt's face. I could see him still talking through the window, his mouth moving rapidly as he gestured wildly.
"Drive," I told the cabbie. "Please, just go."
I saw Matt in the side mirror as we pulled away from the curb. He stood there with his hands on his hips, looking utterly bewildered. Part of me wanted to laugh, but I mostly felt drained.

I stepped out of the cab, my heels sinking slightly into the soft grass of the front lawn. Daniel's girlfriend Sophia's house was alive with energy - music pulsing through the walls, colorful lights dancing in the windows, and the unmistakable sound of laughter drifting through the air.
"Thanks," I said, handing the driver a few bills. He gave me a nod and a wink before pulling away, leaving me alone on the sidewalk.
I tried to shake off the lingering frustration from my encounter with Matt. This was Daniel's birthday party, and I was determined to have a good time. Plus, the promise of seeing Tom afterward... Well, that was enough to put a spring in my step.
I pushed open the front door, stepping into a whirlwind of color, noise, and excitement. The living room had been transformed into party central, with streamers hanging from every available surface and balloons bobbing against the ceiling. A banner proclaiming "Happy Birthday, Daniel!" was draped across one wall, slightly crooked but endearing in its homemade charm.
"Whoa," I muttered, blinking as my eyes adjusted to the riot of colors. "Did a party store throw up in here or what?"
I scanned the room, searching for the birthday boy among the throng of guests. Finally, I spotted him near the makeshift bar, chatting animatedly with a group of friends. I made my way over, dodging a guy doing what I can only describe as interpretive dance meets the funky chicken.
"Daniel!" I called out, waving as I approached.
"Sara? Holy crap, you made it!"
I gave him a quick hug, careful not to spill his drink. "Of course I made it! Did you think I'd miss your big day?"
Daniel laughed. "Well, honestly, I wasn't sure you'd remember. You've seemed a bit... distracted lately."
I felt a pang of guilt. Had I really been that out of it? "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind, but I wouldn't forget your birthday."
"No worries, Sara. I'm just glad you're here now. Come on, let me introduce you to some people."
Before he could drag me off, I spotted Sophia approaching us, her face lighting up when she saw me.
"Sara! You made it!" She hugged me tight, nearly knocking the wind out of me. When she finally released me, she held me at arm's length, giving me a once-over. "Wow, girl. You're looking even more beautiful than usual. What's your secret?"
"Oh, you know, just... existing?"
Sophia laughed. "Well, keep existing then because it's working wonders for you."
Daniel rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Alright, alright. Enough with the mutual admiration society. Sara, you want a drink?"
"God, yes," I said, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. Daniel raised an eyebrow but didn't comment as he turned to fix me something.
Sophia leaned in conspiratorially. "So, what's got you all dolled up? Hot date after this?"
"What? No! I mean... why would you think that?"
She smirked, gesturing at my outfit. "Come on, Sara. That dress isn't exactly 'casual birthday party' attire. Spill the tea, girl."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Daniel chose that moment to return with my drink. "Here you go, one 'forget your troubles' cocktail, as requested."
I took a sip, grateful for the distraction. "Mm, this is good. What's in it?"
"Oh, you know, a little of this, a little of that," Daniel said with a wink. "Mostly alcohol."
I laughed, already feeling more relaxed. "Well, keep 'em coming, bartender. I've got some catching up to do."
As the night wore on, I found myself actually enjoying the party. The music and drinks flowed, and the company wasn't half bad either. I even forgot about my upcoming rendezvous with Tom... for about five minutes at a time.
I was alone in the kitchen, nursing my third—or was it fourth?—drink of the night. The party had hit that sweet spot where everyone was just drunk enough to think they could dance, and I needed a breather from the chaos in the living room.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, swirling the ice in my glass and enjoying the brief respite from the party's chaos. The alcohol had loosened me up, but my mind kept drifting to Tom. I checked my phone for the hundredth time, wondering if I should text him.
"You really want to meet me and have fun?" a deep voice rumbled behind me.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, whirling around so fast I almost lost my balance. "Jesus Christ on a cracker!"
And there he was, Tom in the flesh, looking annoyingly handsome in a fitted button-down and dark jeans. His eyebrows were raised, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
The Professor's Temptation
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