Alex nodded.
“That sounds reasonable.”
“Fourth,” I continued, “we don’t lie to each other about anything that could affect our marriages.”
The room became quiet.
I looked directly at Sean.
“That includes conversations we’ve already had.”
His smile faded slightly.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means exactly what I said.”
Nancy suddenly became very interested in her glass.
I noticed.
I noticed everything.
We spent another twenty minutes discussing practical details. Eventually, we agreed that the exchange would begin Friday evening and end the following Friday.
No one objected.
When they left, Sean seemed happier than I had seen him in months.
He kissed my forehead.
“This could be good for us.”
I watched him walk upstairs.
Then I took out my phone and made the first of several calls.
I wasn’t planning a romantic adventure.
I was preparing for a conversation that should have happened long before any of us considered exchanging partners.
