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“Okay,” I whisper. “Just promise not to judge me, okay?”
“I would never judge you,” Sarah vows, her expression serious. “You know that.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I’m not dating Jasper’s brother because he doesn’t have a brother. He’s an only child, remember? But I am dating Brandon, Jasper’s dad.”
Sarah doesn’t say anything for a long beat, just staring at me slack-jawed. Then, she takes a very deliberate sip of her Coke. I squirm in my seat, dreading what she’s going to say. Finally, she says in a choked voice, “Jasper’s dad?”
I nod mutely.
“Is he… How old is he?”
I swallow. “Forty-five.”
Sarah nods slowly, obviously trying to digest this shocking information. “Jasper’s dad. Your ex-boyfriend’s father. Okay. Um. Wow, Luce, I’m actually at a loss for words.”
I feel tears welling up in my eyes. Sarah must notice because she suddenly seizes my hand. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry!” she cries. “I swear to God I’m not judging you or thinking badly of you. I just need a second to wrap my head around this.”
“You promise?” I snivel.
“I promise.” She gives my hand a tight squeeze. “Now tell me all about your new guy. Is he as hot as Jasper?”
I smile tentatively. “Girlfriend, Brandon is waaaay hotter.”
I try my best to describe someone as magnificent as my boyfriend. How do I explain Brandon’s commanding ways and air of confidence, but also his tender and gentle heart? How do I put into words how safe and secure I’ve felt around him for the past several months? I can’t possibly articulate how his dark hair waves against his forehead, or the way his eyes shine first thing in the morning when he wakes up and smiles at me. But I wax as poetic as possible, not caring that I’m gushing.
By the end of my monologue, Sarah is staring slack-jawed at me again.
“Holy shit,” she breathes. “You really are in love, aren’t you?”
I smile. “Yeah. I really am. And he is, too. We’ve even talked about starting a family together, and you know how important that is to me.”
She gasps. “You have? But that’s huge, Luce! I’m so glad.”
Our burgers arrive and we take a moment to start eating. When I next look up at Sarah, though, she’s looking pensive.
“What’s on your mind?” I ask between bites. “Aren’t you happy for me? You know I’ve wanted kids for a long time now. The whole college thing isn’t really my path, although you wouldn’t think it from how hard I’ve been studying,” I add with a wry smile.
“Yes, of course I’m happy for you,” my friend says quickly. “It’s just that aren’t you nervous that he’s so much older? Why isn’t Brandon dating women his own age?”
“Actually,” I say slowly, “it’s not his age that makes me nervous. It’s the fact that Brandon wasn’t even really dating anyone when we met.” I lower my voice then. “He was actually using escorts.”
“What?!” Sarah puts her burger down, her eyes wide. “Hold on. Instead of dating, Brandon Walsh was banging prostitutes on the reg?”
I wince at the word ‘prostitutes’ and nod. “It sounds bad when you put it that way, but essentially, yes. But it totally doesn’t worry me anymore,” I hasten to add. “He just hired them because dating was such a hassle and he felt like the women he met just wanted to use him for his money. He definitely isn’t hooking up with working girls anymore.”
Sarah, however, looks unconvinced. “That’s pretty sketchy, though, you have to admit,” she says. “I mean, that’s a pretty weird habit to pick up right?”
I stare at her.
“You mean, using escorts?”
She nods.
“Well, yes. Do you know anyone who uses escorts?”
I swallow heavily.
“No, but we don’t know that kind of person, Sarah. Brandon’s different. He’s rich, and he’s single, and well, I mean …”
My words trail off because I realize I’m making excuses for the man I love. But Sarah merely nods.
“I just want you to be careful, sweetie. Brandon Walsh may be a nice guy, but it sounds like you’re out of your depths a little.”
There’s a lump of worry in my throat, but I swallow it down. Sarah’s my best friend, so of course she’s going to be concerned about any relationship I’m in. Her concerns are certainly valid.
“I trust Brandon completely,” I assure her. “If I had any reason to distrust him, that would be a different story. But I promise you that there isn’t any reason to worry! He vowed to me he’s not using escorts anymore. Not while we’ve been dating.”
Sarah shakes her head slowly.
“I know you trust him, but what has he done to earn your trust?” she asks in a reasonable tone. “You trusted Jasper, too, and look how that turned out. Men are dogs, Luce. They’ll say or do anything to get in your pants. I know you don’t want to hear this, but you’re young and gorgeous, so Brandon might be saying whatever you want to hear just so that he can keep sleeping with you. He’s older and undoubtedly a very canny man. Keep that in mind.”
