Page 33 of Opening It Up
“Actually, I love sushi,” I said blithely, penning inLeopold-Nobu Uptown 9 pmto the calendar.
“Isn’t that kind of late for a date on a school night?” Harley asked accusingly.
“Not for me,” I said cheerfully. “I feel like I have so much energy these days.”
He frowned, running a hand over his jaw.
“I thought you didn’t like to go anywhere after 7 pm, you said we were past that age of going out late to clubs and such.”
“You’repast the age!” I laughed. “I guess I’m not at all.”
“We’re only five years apart,” he said a bit sourly.
“Feels like an eternity! Anyways, feel free to pen your dates in,” I said, handing him the marker.
Harley stared at me.
“Go on,” I said encouragingly.
“I don’t have any.”
“What?”
“I said I don’t have any dates.”
“Ah, well, better luck next week,” I chirped, patting his shoulder.
“I don’twantto go out on any dates,” my husband said, his jaw tight. “I’m tired of feeling like I never see you anymore.”
“I feel like I see youplenty,” I said.
“We haven’t had sex in a while,” he added, after a few more long moments as the grandfather clock ticked in the next room.
“Oh?” I asked absently. “I hadn’t noticed.”
There was a stifled moan that seemed to come from Harley, but I ignored it.
“Oh my god, it’s so damn hard always being triple-booked,” I exclaimed, still staring at the calendar. “Leopold and Brayden want to take me out the same day, of course. I wonder if I could convince them to share time with me. God, it might be more efficient to do group stuff.”
“I didn’t think you’d like this so much,” Harley muttered.
Glancing over, I noticed that his eyes were red-rimmed and raw, and he seemed to be full of a nervous, twitchy energy.
“Like what?” I asked.
“Being in an open marriage.”
“What, like it’s hard?” I retorted.
Harley looked haggard.
“How about this?” I said. “Let’s go on a double date sometime. Me and Leopold, and you and your date. Would that help you feel more comfortable getting back into the dating scene?”
“What about me and you?” he burst out. “That’s who I want to go out on a date with.”
But I brushed off the suggestion.
“Sounds a bitstale, if you ask me. Rather repressive. All you need to do, Harley, is give it a little time. Don’t be too discouraged. After all, maybe your little girlfriend Makayla will be available.”
