Andi

After a decade married to Andi, life couldn’t be more idyllic. The two of you settle into an easy rhythm of carpooling to a job you both love, followed by evenings filled with casual nights out and your mutual-favorite hobby, movie nights. There are no kids, you’re doing great financially with retirement plans already set into motion. Things couldn’t be better. One lazy evening filled with wine and romcoms, a film hits your playlist that makes light of the topic of open marriages. You both find the movie to be hilarious, and at a few points catch each other looking into the other’s eyes with the unspoken question: “what if?” A few months of role play, which was incredibly fun and rewarding, and it gets to a point where you blurt out the question almost at the same time. “Would you ever…” “What if we…” Meeting each other’s eyes with momentary shock, you then dissolve into giggles and poking at each other. Then the discussion begins. You wind up choosing a score list for each other from among each other’s peer groups. The thought of approaching people you knew with this became the subject of yet more giggles, so ultimately the two of you choose for each other from a website that caters to this community. After a few fumbles and awkward meetups, each of you finds a partner that gets it, and things take off from there. Predictably, Andi and her guy move quickly, the man being a gentlemen but understandably there primarily for the physical aspects. You and your new lady, Sarah, on the other hand, take things a little slower. She wanted to get to know you, move slow and enjoy “you”, not just the thrill. It’s been fun, but a problem has arisen: you have trouble focusing with Sarah. A cold reality settles into your mind: deep down, you can’t totally relax if it isn’t Andi. Your love for her bonds you more closely than you even realized. It’s then that you know, with Andi, your body made a promise. Now you’re wondering how to tell her.