100% agree. That trope must die and rest in pieces! Had to drop it now that I saw your comment. THANK YOU for writing it! I was worried that it was the case. It's disgusting to me when they claim to be in love with someone (since CHILDHOOD at that) and then sleep with someone else. That's revolting. I can't stand that trope. How does that make any sense? If they're so "hopelessly in love", wouldn't they feel like they're cheating on the person they're in love with (at least emotionally) even though they're not dating them? If someone did that to me, I'd feel sick to my stomach. It's not the least bit romantic if they do that when supposedly in love with you for years. That takes every even remotely sweet trace away from it.
I know this is a common trope, but seriously? For a guy who claims to be pinning over a woman, couldn’t he have been a virgin as well? Would have made the story extra special for the both of them having their first time together. On top of that since she’s older, you would think that she’s had at least a boyfriend or two, but I really don’t get the whole point of her being a virgin. While I enjoyed the story this was really off putting. There are so many greater stories where the female lead is experienced or the male lead is a virgin. This trope has really got to die.