This story involves the same characters as (and builds on the experience from) story one. I think this story could be enjoyed without reading the first though. Enjoy, more planned.
*****
My beautiful wife was packing for her three-day work trip, as I was bathing the baby. In the middle of packing she casually mentioned, "hey Laken is in the same situation as you these next few days, Manny is traveling too."
Laken happened to be my colleague and one of my wife's best friends. Manny is her husband. Laken happened to have a toddler too. We'd both be managing our active little ones while our spouses traveled.
She then added something a little strange, "you two should plan some play dates, heck she should just spend the next couple days here. Why not collaborate."
When my wife said this, I about spit out the wine I was drinking as I thought about the last time Laken and I were alone together. It was, well, intimate.
As colleagues, Laken and I had a warm, close connection. That connection was heightened a few months back when we shared a very amazing moment together while on a business trip. A moment we had not talked about or repeated since.
My wife was surprised by my response, "that was a strange reaction, you love Laken. Why are you acting like her staying her would be a bad thing?"
Laken was a close mutual friend. My wife knew I adored her, just as much as she herself loved Laken.
I knew instantly she had misinterpreted my response. And I was spinning on how I might explain it best without upsetting her or revealing what had happened the last time we were truly alone together. I love my wife and I have never cheated on her but what happened with Laken was about as close as cheating gets and I'm sure by some accounts it was cheating.
I needed to save the situation, "no, of course, your right, I love Laken and it might make managing everything easier having her around, plus the kids could play with each other."
Even as I was saying this I realized, I wasn't sure what it would be like alone, overnight again with her.
Laken is beautiful and I loved what we experienced on our last trip. The good news is even after our experience, nothing had changed at work or in our personal lives. If anything, they had actually improved - we were both still great co-workers and we combined what had happened between us into the strength of our relationship.
During that intimate moment, we had rules for our interaction and we both followed them. I think that increase the trust in our relationship even further.
My continued emotional struggle was the same though, I adored my wife and really she was by far my priority. Laken was my friend and we had fun, but it wasn't the same. Neither Laken or I had any desire to move our relationship beyond friendship.
So, why was this so surreal?
As I was thinking about these complexities, my wife continued, "why don't you text her now and ask if she wants to hang out this weekend and then go from there? It will make both your lives easier."
I didn't want to be put in another awkward situation so I replied quickly, "sure, I'll do that." Laken and I would often text for work, so texting here would not be unusual at all.
It was about two seconds after my text to her that Laken replied, "You know I've already talked to your wonderful wife about spending the next three days at your house on SnapChat, she actually said you'd be texting."
Without pause, she added, "the answer is yes, I'm already packing. Manny also thinks it is a great idea - he knows how stressed I get when it's all on me to care for the baby."
I was very curious why my wife was so enthusiastic about this plan. How often does one spouse want them to spend time with another beautiful woman alone for three days?
Still, with that settled and knowing my wife was heading out in a few hours, I started thinking about Laken and what might happen. Then I looked up at my wife who standing over me and gave me a big kiss on the forehead.
Here is where things got even more interesting.
"So I have a little secret to tell you," she smiled. You know Laken and I have known each other since college and you also know I experimented some in college. Well, I won't give you all the details right now, but one night when I maybe had had a few too many, Laken and I became very passionate."
With that, she immediately started walking away to finish her packing.