The Devil With A Deal:>>Ep4

"I suppose," I said, "It's a nice thought."

"Right?" Brian gave me a hearty slap on the shoulder. It felt like getting shoved by a gorilla. "We get married and we get locked into who we are. Who we think that's how it should be. But the truth is, you can have everything you want. Trust me, Kate's feeling the same thing. Even if she isn't willing to say it. You just have to be willing to take risks. Are you willing to do that, Andy? Take a risk to get what you truly want?"

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean," I said, cagey.

"I'm talking about a party, man!" Brian said, and he threw back his head and laughed. "Going out, having a good time, the whole thing. Vanessa and I both think you two would have an amazing time. It would mean a lot to us if you showed." I knew my answer was 'no.' But I couldn't form the word in front of Brian. I was weirdly anxious about disappointing him. So, instead, I deftly deflected. I told him that I had to talk to Kate first, knowing that my wife would decline for me. Problem solved.

*

That night, as we ate takeout Chinese over the kitchen table, I told Kate about Brian's invitation. I relayed what he had told me -- how he liked us both and wanted us to come to their place. I stayed mum about the other things he'd said about marriage and change. I guess because I still wasn't sure I understood what he meant.

I expected Kate to flat out refuse, but instead, she put down her chopsticks and paused, lost in thought.

"I do like them," Kate said, finally, "Vanessa's so glamorous and amazing. And Brian's so good... I mean, such a good guy."

"So, you want to go?" I asked, my mind scrambling with surprise.

"Do you?"

know," I said, "I do like them,

with her lo mein. She let out a deep sigh, then said, "I don't think we should." I felt myself relax as my universe reordered itself to its normal disposition. "Not unless we can bring Tara,

upside down again. Tara? What did Kate's younger sister

said, "I think a night out might help

out there?" I asked, "Be inspired by what's going

said, blushing slightly. It wasn't like her to be so sneaky and I kind of liked seeing

are we actually considering going to this?" I

rolling the idea around in her mind. Seeing how

was just pushing the ball forward, hoping that someone else would block the way. But it didn't happen. When I texted Brian about

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somehow, we'd agreed to go to a party that weekend. I spent the rest of the week feeling like something was growing in my stomach. I told myself it was anticipation. Excitement. But looking back I know exactly what I was feeling.

*

very cute red and white polka dot dress that showed off her figure. It wasn't tight,

sitting on the bed. "What?" she asked, smoothing her dress back down like she'd been doing

dubious. "I'm not all

beautiful. And your body. I mean, you're amazing." "That's sweet of you to say, honey," Kate said,

I said, "Stay here." I was only half-joking. Staying in the bedroom was becoming

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