TIFU by forgetting how old my crush at work actually is

This happened recently and I'm still cringing every time I blink.

So I (F28) started a new job a few months ago and quickly hit it off with this guy "Liam" He’s funny, super smart, laid-back in that “unbothered but capable” way, and dangerously good looking. He works in a different department, so we only interact here and there, but there's been undeniable friendly chemistry.

Anyway, we started chatting more regularly, sharing Spotify playlists, joking around in work chats, bonding over our mutual hatred for open office plans and lukewarm microwave lunches. I caught myself looking forward to his messages a little too much. I won’t lie: I started to develop a bit of a crush.

Fast forward to yesterday, we were in the break room talking about movies. I mentioned how The Matrix blew my mind when I saw it as a kid. Jake goes, "Wait, when did that come out again?"

Me, casually: “1999.”

Jake, laughing: "Oh damn, I wasn't even born yet."

I froze.

I blinked.

I did the mental math like I was trying to defuse a bomb.

Me: “Wait… how old are you?”

Jake: “I just turned 19 last month.”

I’m 28.

I was reading Twilight when he was learning to read. I was getting my learner’s permit while he was still trying to ride a bike. I was paying off student loans when he was finishing high school.

I think I blacked out for a second because he asked me if I was okay, and I just kind of nodded and mumbled something about "sudden back pain." The worst part? He still smiled at me like nothing was weird, but now every time I see him, my brain screams ILLEGAL even though it's… technically not. But emotionally? Spiritually? Existentially?? I feel like I should be dropping him off at soccer practice, not flirting over Slack.

So now I’ve been avoiding eye contact like he’s the sun and I’m a vampire, and I’m spiraling about whether this is just a dumb crush or an early sign of a midlife crisis.

TLDR – Thought I was vibing with a hot coworker, found out he's nearly a decade younger, panicked, and now I'm reevaluating my entire existence over a microwave burrito.