I stare at her again.
“Honey, it’s not just that. I’m divorced with a son who’s six already. Six years ago, you still had braces is my guess. You even might have been selling Girl Scouts cookies still.”
She giggles again, but then grows thoughtful and nods.
“Yes, but no one says I have to be a mother to your son. We’re just getting to know each other, Mr. Minor,” she reminds me in a gentle tone. “Don’t stress because everything’s going to be fine. Don’t overthink things. Try to live in the moment.”
I draw a deep breath because somehow, Lori’s incredibly mature and articulate in her replies. It seems like she has a good comeback for every roadblock that I throw up. But still, age and family status aren’t the only reasons I’m hesitant. There’s still a huge elephant looming in the room, and I take a deep breath and look Lori directly in her eyes as I speak.
“It’s not just about our age gap,” I say in a low tone, searching for exactly the right words. “It’s that I don’t want you to feel pressured into sex with me just because I’m paying your college tuition. I know it was a shock to find out, and that you feel like ‘you owe me,’ but nothing could be further from the truth. I don’t want anything from you, honey. I swear it.”
I realize my words are true too because although I went into this with questionable motives, now that I’ve spoken with Lori and met her, I actually do want the best for the pretty woman. There’s no need to force things when we have our whole lives ahead of us.
But Lori merely cocks her head at me, those brown eyes clear.
“I don’t think that, Caleb,” she says in a gentle tone. “The sex for tuition part, I mean.”
I shake my head, my expression intent.
“Good because I don’t want you to feel any pressure, sweetheart. You were never even supposed to know that I was paying your tuition, and really, I did it because your dad is an old friend of mine. But now that I’ve met you, I know you’re a brilliant young woman who deserves every cent. It’s a no strings attached gift, and I want you to view it that way.”
Lori’s eyes fill with tears and it’s all I can do to resist wiping them away.
“I know. You are so generous, Mr. Minor,” she says softly. “Thank you.”
My heart turns over in my chest.
“It’s not a problem, sweetheart, and I’m happy to do it. My company – I think I’ve mentioned it before – has done well over the last several years. Consulting for the Department of Defense can pay through the wazoo if you know what you’re doing, so I’ve got a lot more money than I can use. Supporting my Army buddy’s daughter?” I shrug. “That seems like a good use of my fortune.”
She nods, meeting my gaze with clear eyes.
“Thank you, Caleb,” she says in a low tone. “I appreciate it
Her sincerity touches me to the heart, and I sigh deeply. “I guess I just wanted to get that clear because … well, because I’d be a criminal if it weren’t. So it’s important to me that you understand where I am coming from.”
Lori smiles gently. “I understand where you’re coming from, I really do. You don’t want whatever we have going on to be a quid pro quo.”
I snort, somewhat disgusted with myself. “It shouldn’t be happening at all, honey, considering you’re so young and gorgeous and I’m well past my sell-by date.”
At that, she giggles again before taking one of my hands between both of hers. Her skin is soft and warm, and her smile tremulous.
“Caleb, I didn’t have sex with you last weekend because I felt obligated to.” Lori pauses a moment, her words clearly articulated. “I did it because I’m attracted to you, and I wanted to. Yes, I had been thinking about repaying you with my body, so to say, but that all went out the door when you touched me,” she says in a low tone. “Us making love was meaningful, and it wasn’t just nothing.”
I nod, my heart beating so hard it feels like it might just erupt from my chest.
“I’m glad to hear that baby,” I say in a low voice while squeezing her hand. “It meant something to me too.”
She nods, speaking more confidently now. “I like you, Caleb. I think you’re incredibly handsome and kind and funny, not to mention very intriguing as my mystery benefactor. But now, I want to get to know you,” she says simply. “The real Caleb Minor and not as some anonymous person who’s footing my tuition.”
I stare hard into Lori’s eyes. “So you don’t feel pressured by our situation?” I ask once more.