Love and Language by Cheryl Dragon

speak before Bridget had gotten a hold of him.
    “Scholars can be a quirky bunch. Some are shy; some obsess about their work. And some are young.” There was a twinkled in Bridget’s eye. “Don’t think we’re done about Ben.”
    Jane went with the safe story. Technically, it was the truth. “There’s a little tutoring going on.”
    “What sort of tutoring are you giving that young hottie?”
    “You’re engaged. You want your future husband hearing you talk like that?” Jane looked at her partially open door.
    Bridget pursed her lips as if she gave it some thought then shrugged. “I’d take the punishment if he did. Besides, I’m trying to help you. It’s not for me. I’m very happy with the man I’ve got.”
    Bridget’s casual use of the word punishment stuck in Jane’s mind. They’d worked in the same department for years. Bridget was outgoing and downright bossy at times, but could it be that Bridget was into the Dom/sub thing?
    Jane shook off her crazy ideas. “Your charity is appreciated, but he’s tutoring me in Italian and Greek. I’m finally taking a real vacation away this summer.”
    “Good for you!” Bridget nodded, but it lacked some genuine enthusiasm.
    “I’ve always wanted to go there. He’s just helping me with some basic phrases so I’m not looking at my phone app all the time.” Jane shrugged.
    “I’m glad you’re going. That doesn’t mean you can’t snag a hot young man out of the deal, too.” Bridget gave Jane a sly smile.
    “He’s too young.”
    “Twenty-seven, I checked. That’s well over the age of consent and drinking. He can even rent a car,” she said.
    Jane’s face burned, and she almost laughed. “Stop it. He’s almost a decade younger than me. He’ll have his doctorate soon, and he’s got a job lined up here, but people will talk. You already are.”
    “Who cares what people say?” Bridget rolled her eyes. “You guys teased me about my stuffy History professor with no social skills. Just think how much easier it’ll be to mold a younger guy.”
    Jane dropped her Smartphone on the desk harder than she intended to. “I don’t want to mold anyone. He’ll find a young woman who fits him perfectly. I just want to go on my vacation.”
    “Sorry. I was only offering some friendly support. He’s a nice guy. He’s hot. There’s nothing wrong with it.” Bridget waited a few minutes.
    Jane couldn’t think of how to explain or counter Bridget’s very rational arguments. She and the others had teased Bridget a bit and talked about her guy. “You’re so much stronger than I am. I don’t think I could take people thinking of me robbing the cradle.”
    “Jane, he’s old enough to have a family and settle down. Don’t twist this into something creepy in your head. You’re not a high school teacher. He’s not a student anymore. Not really.”
    “I know that on one level. But he’ll find someone younger eventually, even if we went anywhere beyond the bedroom. You got the happy ending, and you can flaunt that ring as proof. If the relationship had failed…” Jane couldn’t finish her sentence.
    “If my relationship had failed, we’d already agreed to be civil and not act like children. We’ve still got that deal. It’s not Victorian England. Divorce happens, and people break up. You have to talk about it all, so you don’t hate each other if something goes wrong. Maybe, there’s too much staring and not enough talking between you and the PhD candidate?” Bridget stood and headed for the door.
    “I’m sorry, Bridget. I know your marriage will last forever. You two are perfect together. It’s always easier to see things from the outside.” Jane smiled.
    Bridget nodded. “That’s why I stopped by. The way he stared at you at lunch said a lot. You might not see it, but I’m not imagining things.”
    “Thanks,” Jane replied shakily.
    Bridget left, and Jane tried to catch her breath. Sure, Bridget was engaged and in that romance zone.