Forbidden Age-Gap Attraction

Chapter 1

Elle

“This sucks,” I said to my best friend, Sarah.

“Come on, it’s only one test. You’ll do better on the next one and you did great on the quiz last week. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she reassured.

I looked at the paper I was holding and let out a long sigh. I hated doing poorly on anything. It wasn’t who I was or how I wanted to be known in my MBA program. The program was competitive and getting behind even a little could spell disaster for my career and future business.

“That is exactly what I should be doing. I can’t have this. I knew this was going to be hard, I just didn’t think it would be this hard. Something must change, I can’t keep doing this,” I said and looked at the paper again.

“Doing what? Getting one poor grade?” Sarah asked.

“No, I have to change my living situation.”

“Are you having issues with your parents?” Sarah asked, concerned.

“No. They’re great as always. But they live too far away from school.

I spend more time on the train than studying when I’m there.

I thought it would be okay but it isn’t.

I’ve been couch surfing to be closer to school and using the library to study but it isn’t working.

I feel like I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in weeks and there’s only so much generosity I can take from my friends. ”

“I told you; you were more than welcome to stay with me.”

“Thank you. That’s beyond sweet, but I’m not living with you and your boyfriend in a studio apartment. I’ll have to think of something else.”

I looked away from my friend and tried to figure out a solution.

Wasn’t that what I was supposed to be doing?

I was going to run a business. I would run into bigger issues than this when I did.

If I couldn’t solve a simple problem like where I was going to sleep, then how could I be expected to run a company on my own?

When I told my parents I wanted to move back to New York to get my MBA, they had been all for it.

They even offered to allow me to stay with them rent free.

I had thought it would be the perfect way to save some money and spend time with them.

I had quickly found out the two-hour commute was killing me.

While I thought I would have time to study, it was next to impossible on the train.

I had no idea I got train sick until I attempted to study the first day.

I had tried to find a person I could room with but anyone I had met had been a bit too creepy or was more into partying than studying.

I wanted to find a nice, quiet place close to campus.

I had hoped some nice old lady who would want me to stay with her and even look after her.

But I hadn’t any luck finding one. I had thought I was handling the situation but after seeing my latest test score; I wasn’t.

If I didn’t do something fast, I was going to get too far behind to ever catch up.

“You know, I could ask my father if you could stay with him,” Sarah said and brought me out of my thoughts.

I turned to look at her like she was crazy. “What? No. I couldn’t do that to him. It would be too weird. He doesn’t even know me.”

“Yes, he does,” Sarah countered.

“He met me once, in passing. I’m sure he doesn’t remember me. Nor would he want some random college student living with him.”

“His apartment is huge. He wouldn’t even know you’re there.

Plus, it’s like twenty minutes from campus.

Add in the fact that he’s hardly home so you would have plenty of quiet time to study without anyone disturbing you.

He travels a lot too so he might actually like you being there so that you can keep an eye on the place. ”

“How did you turn me needing a place to stay to me helping your father out by sitting?” I asked.

Sarah knew I wasn’t one who would take a handout and that was exactly what it had sounded like. She was using her power of persuasion to convince me to consider her offer. She knew the best way to do that was if I thought I was helping her, not the other way around.

“Well, I just thought of it. His schedule changes all the time but I think he might be going out of town in a few weeks. Usually when he’s gone, he’s away for a month or two. It would give you a place to stay, some time to regroup, and figure out what to do next.”

“I can’t impose on your father like that. I can’t see him wanting some random chick in his house.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” Sarah muttered.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing. My father isn’t particular about who comes and goes into his place.

I doubt he will even know you’re there. Please, let me talk to him.

I hate how miserable you’ve been lately.

I thought you were stressed about school.

Since it’s about needing a place to stay, I can fix that.

Let me help you. I think this could be an excellent solution for you. ”

It seemed like a good opportunity. I had wanted a quiet place to be. What better place than one where the owner wasn’t even around? Talk about a great roommate? If I remembered where Sarah’s father’s place was, it was an ideal location. It would solve a lot of problems.

“I can’t pay any rent or anything, but I could cook or do some cleaning or something if he wanted,” I suggested.

“Dad has more than enough people to do that for him. Really, it’s going to be fine.

Let me ask him. I’m sure he’ll think it’s as good of an idea as I do.

He told me he missed me living with him.

He probably would like the company. I promise, he’ll love it.

Give me a few days and I’m sure you can move it. You good with that?”

Sarah looked at me expectantly. I could tell she wanted to help me out. I had given her some advice on getting together with her current boyfriend. She had never forgotten and I could see this being a way for her to pay me back.

“I can’t tell you not to ask him, but don’t push. If he doesn’t want to do it, then leave it at that. This is my problem. I don’t want to impose on him or put you two in an awkward situation,” I said.

Sarah threw her arms around me. “Yeah. I’m so excited. I think this is going to work out great for you. And who knows maybe you and my dad will become friends or something,”

I shook my head as I moved away from Sarah. “I’m just looking for a place to stay, not a new best friend.”

“Oh, no. That position is already taken. I just think you and my dad might get along and even come to like each other. Stranger things have happened.”

I smiled at her but I couldn’t see becoming friends with her father. I was only looking for a safe and convenient place to stay and study. I didn’t want or need anything more. I had no idea just how wrong I was.