The Age of Love (Book #1)

5. Hot Mess

Theodore avoided the subject the whole night, which it was becoming frustrating for her.

Everyone knew him and everyone looked at her, as if it was strange seeing him with another woman.

"Well my darling, I had a lovely time." Always so polite

"So did I, thanks for dinner." Madison said as they walked out the dining room, Theodore seemed anxious, as if he knew what she was about to ask. "So, are you ever gonna tell me how old are you?"

He chuckled a few times before answering.

"42."

It was involuntary the speed to which her eyebrows raised when he answered, finally understanding why he had been deflecting the whole evening, they had 20 years between them.

"I... Would've never guessed." She said, choosing her words carefully.

"How old did you think I was?" He laughed nervously.

"At maximum 36."

The horror and confusion in her face was noticeable, as she was turning pale, Theodore noticed, regretting the decision of telling her his real age when he could've easily lied. They walked out in silence, not knowing what to expect from there.

But she bursted out first.

"Thanks again for the lovely dinner, will I see you again?" She reached his cheek for a kiss.

Theodore was caught off guard, taking a minute to process and finally smile back at her.

"We will definitely see each other again my dear." His face brightened.

"Call me."

She was unsure of her own words, but a part of her wanted to give him a chance, and the other part asked, what could a man his age possibly see in her?

"Madison!" He shouted, making her turn around to face him "You never told me yours?"

"Didn't you notice our table number?" She joked, clearly confusing him, she raised two fingers, muttering:

22.

(...)

A few days had gone by and no word from him, besides a good night text from that evening.

Maybe he was as fearful and unsure, as she was?...

Madison chewed her food, not particularly hungry since her mind was somewhere else, in a black suit and dark red tie. There was no denying he was hot but he was 42.

"I bet you wish that pumpkin was him." Jules said making room for her tiny salad bowl.

"You should start eating more and talking less crap." Maddie attacked her with a pumpkin chunk.

"Am I lying?" Jules laughed "I've been watching you Madison Swanepoel, you've been zombie-ing around campus all day! Tell me about Theo!"

"Theodore... Is a really good guy." She said briefly.

"What? That's it?"

"He has a twin, he is quite humble, smart..." She smiled thinking about it "And he is old."

She frowned.

"How old? 29-30?"

"42 actually." She mumbled, watching Julia lose her mind in a public restaurant.

"Are you out of your fucking mind? He is ancient!" Jules protested in a low voice.

"Hi, my name is Julia, I took her phone and set up a date with Mr.Old Guy." Madison imitated her voice reminding how it all started.

"Ok, ok, ok I get it. But Jesus, tell me you ran away when he said that?"

"I didn't."

"What did you do?!"

"I walked with him out of the restaurant." She replied casually. "He doesn't look or sound old Jules, I promise."

"Have you looked around? There are millions of young guys surrounding us Madison, please let go of that freak, god knows what he has planned for you... Sick old sugar daddy."

"Don't call him that." She defend him.

"All I'm asking is, stay away from him, he is up to no good." Jules held her hand firmly.

"There's only one way to find out..."

"What are you doing? Madison?"

She grabbed her phone ready to set a second date with Theodore, going against every warning Julia gave her and every instinct in her body saying, their age difference was wrong.