I broke our dumbfounded silence with a burst of laughter, mostly from shock. Cairo shook his head and sank onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. Was it from embarrassment or disbelief?
“Wow,” he said finally, lifting his head. “Just…wow.”
I fell onto the couch next to him, still giggling. I wiped tears from my eyes and nudged him. “Can you imagine us at a…a swap party?”
“It’s definitely not for us, is it?”
“Not at all. Too bad.”
We’d decided early on that we wanted to share a couple. We didn’t want casual sex but to bond with two people and form relationships together while maintaining our primary partnership. A group swap like Merry and Jim were involved in was not what we were looking for.
“Why too bad?” Cairo asked. “Babe, didn’t you hear what he said? He and Jim are interested in us.”
“So we don’t mind them swapping with others?”
“We should respect their choices, as I’m sure they would respect us only wanting to be with them.Ifthey would even want such a thing.”
“I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
“But first, our surrogate partners. We have our first meeting this weekend. How do you feel about that?”
I lay on the couch with my head in his lap. “Honestly?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m scared, nervous. Sometimes I wonder what if you hate me after I sleep with someone else?”
“Why would I hate you? This was a mutual decision, but thank you for telling me. Is there anything I can do to help you through this?”
“Just hold me and tell me you love me.”
“How about after I make you a bath? Does that sound good?”
I nodded, brushing his face. “You’re the best husband a guy could ever ask for. I hope you know how much I appreciate you every day.”
4
JIM
“Jimmy.”
“Hmm?”
Merry placed a hand on my thigh, bringing my focus back to him. His light blue eyes were gentle and full of concern.
“You’ve been distracted. Are you all right?”
I managed a weak smile. Usually, I looked forward to these surrogacy meetings where Merry and I could help other couples to rejuvenate their intimacy and explore. But this evening, the strange hollowness within me wouldn’t go away.
“Yup, it’s just been a long day. Are you ready to go in?” I unsnapped my seat belt, but Merry stopped me before I could get out of the car.
“If you’re not feeling up to it, we don’t have to do this. We can cancel and spend the evening together.”
“No, really, it’s fine. We’re just having a meet and greet. The couple might not even pick us.”
Merry gave me a small smile. “I know what this is about.”
I frowned. Rarely did a couple bother me this much like our neighbors, but since we had our swap party at our place, Cairoand Brandt hadn’t been by. Cairo hadn’t had lunch with me over the past few days either.