The city skyline glittered beneath us as Veronica and I walked into the trendy rooftop bar, her arm looped through mine. The women at the table immediately turned their attention to us, appraising me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Ladies, this is Tom," Veronica announced, her voice dripping with pride. "Tom, these are my girls: Rachel, Sarah, Emily, and Claudia."
Rachel, a sharp-tongued lawyer, was the first to speak. "Nice to meet you, Tom. I must say, you're quite a bit younger than Veronica's usual type."
I chuckled nervously, trying to brush off her comment. "Age is just a number, right?"
But Rachel wasn't done. "I'm sure you have a lot to offer, but let's be real - you can't possibly have the same level of experience as the men we usually date."
The other women nodded in agreement, their eyes scrutinizing me. I felt my confidence wavering, my cheeks growing hot.
Veronica noticed my discomfort and placed a reassuring hand on my back. "Now, now, Rachel. Let's not be too harsh on Tom. He's here with me, and that's all that matters."
Sarah, a successful businesswoman, chimed in. "Veronica, I have to ask - what could a boy like Tom possibly give you that a man my age couldn't?"
I excused myself to the bathroom, my eyes stinging with tears. Veronica followed me, finding me staring at my reflection in the mirror.
"Don't let them get to you, Tom," she whispered, wrapping her arms around me. "I love you for who you are, not your age or experience. They just don't understand."
I took a deep breath, feeling a bit better. Veronica led me back to the group, her eyes blazing.
"Ladies, I think it's time you apologize for your behavior," she said firmly. "Tom is a wonderful man, and he deserves respect."
The women looked taken aback, mumbling their apologies. I started to relax, but I couldn't forget the way they made me feel.
Veronica sensed my lingering hurt and took me home, spending the night showering me with love and reassurance. The next day, I woke up feeling better, realizing that Veronica's support was all I needed. Age and experience be damned.
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