"You left the box out didn't you?" Serena asked, handing her a half-filled glass of Merlot.

Aleena took a measured sip of wine eyeing the trio of condoms that fell out of her purse on the coffee table.

"On my nightstand." Aleena answered, her smirk birthed chuckles from Serena Acharya as she plopped down on the emerald couch next to her friend and business partner.

"He wanted us to fuck around." Aleena added with a shrug knowing she was partially wrong. He didn't want them to have sex with other people. He wanted to be able to cheat with a clear conscience. Her sexual appetite wasn't a concern of his. Her feelings came third to his emotions and ambitions. There were some moments she wondered if it wasn't for the gold band on finger he'd forget about her entirely. The bulk of his time was spent at his office. So, she wasn't surprised a paralegal was whom he picked to spend his time with during his single evenings.

"But you're not." Serena raked her hand through hair that matched the sky outside. "Which personally, I think is a waste."

Aleena paused mid sip, slid her eyes to the left, "Personally, I didn't ask for your opinion."

"Wow!" Serena exclaimed with a hand to her chest clutching fictitious pearls. "Don't care. I'm giving it." She pulled her legs on the couch and folded them then grabbed her ipad from the side table. "I did some research and Nia Young is a bombshell."

She turned the screen to Aleena, who blocked it with her hand. "I don't want to see."

"Rule number two." Serena said with irritation.

"Our rules are important, Rena." She pulled her focus from the mounted television. "It's how we've been able to do this open arrangement successfully for a month."

"Bullshit." Serena slapped the device on the pillow in her lap. "It works because you forgot your worth. You think you deserve a half ass marriage to a man with little self-control."

Aleena stared at her harshly. A fierce look that would inform anyone to move on and drop the subject but Serena wasn't just anyone. That was the thing about friends. They said what needed to be said no matter how it made you feel.

Serena continued. "How can it be successful if you're not participating? It's basically him having a side chick and you being okay with it."

"So, what do you want me to do?" She inquired with agitation.

"Leave." Serena said flippantly. "But I know you love him or whatever so play the game."

"Game." She shook her head. "We're not playing a game. This is just a phase. He's just under some stress from work and I got too regimented with getting pregnant. Before the year ends this all will be a thing of the past."

"Hmm." Serena sounded, scrolling on some social media site as if she was no longer interested.

"What?" She asked knowing she was holding back.

Serena took the invitation to add more of her input. "It'll end sooner if you remind him that he's not the only man interested in you."

"That's what I did." Aleena gestured to her outfit.

"Why lie when being truthful would be so much more fun?"

Aleena shook her head laughing knowing just what her friend was implying.

"Haven't you thought about it?" Serena scooted a little closer to her like the angel of temptation whispering in her ear. "Tinder is free."

"Hell no." Aleena refuted. "Tinder is an absolute no. I don't want to be fileted, grilled and paired with risotto."

"Okay, that's enough of this." Serena confirmed, shifting the television off Criminal Minds and to something less psychopathic. "Then we'll be less high-tech and show off that dress that you just bought."

"How'd you—"

Serena interjected, "The only form-fitting clothes you have are for work."

She didn't refute the statement. Her wardrobe took a subtle change after she got married. She matched the fit and flare with wedges combo that most of the fellow lawyer wives wore at office parties or barbecues that were just opportunities to network or brag about a planned vacation to a tropical destination.

Aleena nodded then turned to her friend, "I have thought about it. You know since I've been married men have gotten finer."

"They have." Serena agreed. "A lot are duds but I found a few I didn't throw back. But this is what's good about your situation. You're not looking for a good man, husband material. You're on the hunt for good vibes, memorable experiences and unlimited orgasms."

"When you put it like that, it sounds like the best of both worlds."

"It could be...if you play it right."

"Here's to playing it right." Aleena held up her wine glass and Serena clinked it gently with hers. "Now, get dressed. We're going out."

"That's what I like to hear!" Serena screeched with excitement jumping from the couch. "I know this place. Exclusive and the men have to earn at least six-figures to be members."

Aleena followed her into her bedroom listening to her ramble on about this private club while scavenging through her closet for the perfect dress to get her as she called it, 'get goddess treatment'.

Aleena downed the remainder of her with wonderment sparking in her mind. She knew something momentous was going to happen tonight. It was going to be better than the night she planned. And of course she was going to follow all five of the rules.