Three Little Words

“Hypothetically, then. Would you mind sharing?”

“Her or you?”

“Either. Both.”

She thought about it. “I don’t think so. I mean, I already know I’m going to share you with Wren. It’s not a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when?’”

I nodded cautiously.

“And I’ll probably share you with Leah. I really like her, and Wren says that she and Mark have an open relationship. And before you ask, yes, I know exactly what that means. I’m not ready to do it, but at least I’ve thought about it. It still kinda scares me, the thought of you doing it with another woman, but… like you said, it’s just sex, especially with Wren.”

“It is.”

“Besides, I’ve been thinking about your parents. Hers too. They’re basically divorced, even though they still live together. She has her life and he has his. I don’t want that for you and me. I want something more like your parents have, especially with Susan.”

“I want that too.”

“I thought you would. Only, I don’t know how it’s going to work with Trip. He’s cute and all, but not like you. He just doesn’t… um… ‘do it’ for me. Please don’t tell him I said that. He’s a really attractive guy, and funny and talented, but… he isn’t you.” She paused and thought about it. “I guess that’s one of the things that helped convince me you’re right, that sex and love are different.”

I nodded.

“I love you, and I love Wren, but it’ll be just sex with Trip. I don’t know if I can really go through with it, but I’m willing to try.”

“You might be surprised.”

“You’re probably right. Wren says he’s really good in bed.” She looked down and blushed. “We… um… sort of compare notes. What he does that she likes, what you do that I like, et cetera.”

“Is that what you and Marianne do?”

“Sort of, but not so explicit. We talk about general stuff, like try this or do that. We also talk about what it’s like to be married. Lately she’s been giving me suggestions for what kind of things you might like. She doesn’t know what I’m really like, though. She thinks she’s giving me wild ideas, but most of them are pretty normal. I mean, stuff like taking a bath together or wearing sexy lingerie. They’re good ideas, and they get me excited and all, but nothing like what I really want to do with you.”

“And what’s that?”

“Oh, no,” she said. “That’s going to take a lot longer than we have tonight, and a lot more alcohol. I know you don’t like it when I drink and get flirty, but—”

“I don’t have a problem when you drink and get flirty,” I said. “I just

don’t want you to feel guilty afterward about anything you did while you were drunk.”

“You don’t want what happened after the Halloween party,” she said. “I get it. And I haven’t done that since, have I? Exactly. I still feel guilty, but I’ve started to do what you do—I think about it before I run away.” She shrugged. “It also helps to talk about things before we do them. Then I can decide if I really want to do it or if I just think I want to. Like going all the way. I know I’m not ready, but I’m working up to it with all these other things.”

“Like spending the weekend in Snowshoe and telling me about your fantasies.”

“Exactly,” she agreed. “And speaking of which… I thought of something else this afternoon.”

“Oh?”

“Mmm hmm. I had to go to the bookstore today, so I passed that little newsstand place. I noticed the top rack, where they sell the girlie magazines.

Well, I was thinking… What if we buy a couple of them? We can look at the pictures and read the letters.”

“Sounds like fun. What were you thinking? Playboy? Penthouse? Not Hustler, I hope.”

She immediately scrunched her nose. “Uh-uh. But definitely the first two.

And… um… Penthouse Variations?”

“Sure, if they have it. Hold on… If you were just there, why didn’t you buy them?”

“I can’t do that!”

“Why not?”

“They’re girlie magazines,” she said, as if that explained everything.

“So?”

“No. Absolutely not. This is your job. You’re the man.”

“I don’t recall in the Man Handbook where it says it’s my job to buy girlie magazines.”

“It is. It says so on page two,” she said with total conviction. “Right after it says it’s your job to do whatever your wife or girlfriend asks.”

“Oh, really?”

“Mmm hmm. It’s in the Handbook.”

“Right,” I agreed with a skeptical grin.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she offered. “If you buy the magazines, I’ll look at

them with you.”

“You want to look at them anyway!”

“I know, but… I can’t buy them. I just can’t. I know you don’t like bargaining for sex, so lemme see if I can come up with something to offer in exchange. Gimme a minute.” She thought about it and then brightened. “I know! I can show you my sketchbook. The one with all the other guys.”

“I knew which one you were talking about,” I said dryly.

“Maybe we can take it to Snowshoe with us. I’ll tell you about my first time—giving head, I mean—and my ‘group secret.’ I’m sure it isn’t as exciting as yours— Ooh, maybe it is. Mr. Big certainly thinks so.”

“He does,” I agreed. “And… we can’t wait till later.”

She feigned innocence. “For what?”