“I totally would have called theStar Warssheets! So, the sex. It was glorious?”
“It was mind-blowing. His attention to detail is a thing of beauty. And he could give lessons, I’m not even kidding.”
“Ok, so you like him, he’s funny, and he’s BFFs with your g-spot. Tell me again why this relationship is non-viable?”
“Molls, he’s twenty-five. Do you know how young that is?”
“Um, I can count that high, so yea, but I’m not picking up the same scandal vibe you are. He’s not in high school. It’s not immoral. He’s well past the age of consent.”
I sigh, because I know she’s got a point, but still. “Right. I get that I’m not depraved, but c’mon. He’s twenty-five. How can I possibly compete with other twenty-five year olds?”
“Who says you have to? The boy only has eyes for you.”
“Maybe, but…”
Molly shakes her head in admonishment. “No buts about it. I meant what I said earlier. If you’re good together, you’re good together, regardless of age. Besides, I’m only a couple years older than Simon, and you don’t reject my friendship.”
“That’s different and you know it.”
“Ok, but what if I found a forty-year-old stud? Would that be taboo? Would you judge?”
“Of course not. But no one’s going to criticize you for dating an older guy. They‘d probably congratulate him on snagging such a sweet young thing. The opposite is not true. Simon’s friends aren’t going to slap him on the back for catching the eye of a woman whose biological clock is sounding like a gong.”
“Then fuck ‘em.”
I just roll my eyes at that. Molly’s so good at being impervious to the judgements and opinions of others. I’m not. Maybe it’s my mother’s influence. Maybe it’s because Logan dumped me for a woman who was still in college at the time. Either way, age is my hang-up.
But Molly is undaunted. “I’m serious, Elaine. If your age is an issue for them, then fuck ‘em. They must be assholes. But it won’t be and they can’t be. Chances are, they’ll be thrilled that you make their friend happy, same as you would be for me and my imaginary forty-year-old hottie.”
“I guess you’re right,” I concede.
“Damn right, I’m right. The only person who has an issue with your age is you. Well, also your mom, but—”
At my nod, Molly probes. “Oh, tell me Patrice started this shit.”
“No, it’s my hang up, really. My birthday is coming up and—”
“And?”
“And when I was at Simon’s this morning, she texted me a few times.”
“Lordy, Lord. Let me see your phone.” And with that, she extends her palm in my direction
“”What? No. It’s fine.”
“Hand it over. I’m bigger than you, and I can totally take you.”
“As if. Here.This is easier than arguing with you all day.” I surrender my phone willingly, knowing she’s crafty and would have found a way to snag it. Molly scrolls away, and I help myself to more champagne and fruit. The door opens and a few women file in. I smile as they pass and make a beeline for the food. Maybe Molly has a point. If the age thing didn’t bother Simon (and it really didn’t seem to), could I just let it go? I’m insanely attracted to him, especially after our night together. I always categorized him as ‘hot but off-limits,’ but now that we’ve spent time together, I’m rethinking my original policy. Our date last night was the best I’ve ever been on—even before the tawdry sex. So, the question is this: can I do it? Can I date a hot, funny guy and ignore the fact that he hasn’t had a ten year high school reunion just yet? I don’t have the answer. I grab another strawberry before perching on the arm of Molly’s chair. “You done yet?”
“So done. Here.” She hands my phone back. “So, to conclude, your mom’s a hag and Simon’s a catch. What’re you going to do about it?”
“That’s a really good question, Molls.”
