convenience.”
I hand him the document across the table.
“Someone came prepared,” he says with a chuckle.
“I did,” I confirm.
As I watch him flick through the papers, a weight begins to rise from my shoulders and a stream of hope begins to filter through my veins.
I provide Barney with the basic details of my marriage to Regina – the length of our relationship, the status of our living arrangements (separate bedrooms for the past four years), our current sexual activity (none), infidelity on my side (none), suspected infidelity on Regina’s side (none that I believe), and our financial and property details. Because I expected the questions, I came prepared and handed Barney a file with all the information he needs.
“I would recommend we proceed on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. Despite the fact you still maintain the same residence, I would argue you have technically been separated for four years, given you have separate bedrooms, separate lives, and zero sexual activity.”
“Right, that sounds reasonable.”
“I’ll prepare the paperwork and have you come in at a time that suits you to sign the documents before Regina is served.”
“Thanks, Barney. Appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, Benny.”
I stand, shake his hand once again, and exit his office. Since it is only seven-thirty in the evening – much too early to head home – I have my driver take me to the gym.
***
Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is blasting in my ears as I pound the treadmill. Droplets of sweat run down my forehead and my back, but I keep running. Faster and faster. Longer and harder. I run until my thighs begin to burn and I’m sure I am going to pass out from the pain. Then I slow it down gently until I am at walking pace before I step off. I tug my tank off over my head and collapse back on the floor with my hands over my face as I try to catch my breath.
When my heart rate slows, I stand, throw my tank over my shoulder, and grab a bottle of water from my bag. Absentmindedly, I scan the gym. Deep down I know I’m only looking for one person, but I’m not ready to admit that out loud yet.
Then I see her. She’s working on an elliptical, earbuds in her ears, tight Lycra calf-length workout pants with a hot pink slash down the side. Covering her chest is a matching sports bra, the hot pink slash right across her ample chest. I take a minute to admire the way her ass moves. Then I realize the attraction I feel for her is becoming harder and harder to ignore. Soon, I won’t have the power to fight it. It’s already consuming me in ways I never knew existed.
As if sensing my stare, she turns her head and gives me a small smile. Of their own accord, my legs begin taking me to her. I am powerless to stop the control she unknowingly exerts over my body.
“Hey,” I rasp as I near her. The intoxicating scent of her sweaty, yet sweet smell invades my senses.
“Hey, Benny.” She gives me a blinding grin that I can’t help but return.
“So, this is becoming a bit of a habit, us meeting like this,” I say, giving her a wicked grin. Her gaze drops to my bare stomach and she licks her lips before meeting my gaze again.
“It sure is.” Something in her tone tells me she isn’t minding one bit. Truth be told, neither am I.
“You up for a juice when you’re finished?” I ask.
“Sounds good. I’m done, anyway. Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you at the juice bar?”
I give her a nod and walk back to collect my gym bag while she heads off in the direction of the change rooms.
I really hope she doesn’t change out of that outfit. It’s only workout gear, but fuck, she fills it out perfectly.
“Can I get one apple and guava, and a Tropicana,” I say to the teenager behind the juice bar.
“Coming up.”
She hands me two bottles of juice and I slide her some cash before finding a table for Makenna and me. A few minutes
I hand him the document across the table.
“Someone came prepared,” he says with a chuckle.
“I did,” I confirm.
As I watch him flick through the papers, a weight begins to rise from my shoulders and a stream of hope begins to filter through my veins.
I provide Barney with the basic details of my marriage to Regina – the length of our relationship, the status of our living arrangements (separate bedrooms for the past four years), our current sexual activity (none), infidelity on my side (none), suspected infidelity on Regina’s side (none that I believe), and our financial and property details. Because I expected the questions, I came prepared and handed Barney a file with all the information he needs.
“I would recommend we proceed on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. Despite the fact you still maintain the same residence, I would argue you have technically been separated for four years, given you have separate bedrooms, separate lives, and zero sexual activity.”
“Right, that sounds reasonable.”
“I’ll prepare the paperwork and have you come in at a time that suits you to sign the documents before Regina is served.”
“Thanks, Barney. Appreciate your help.”
“Anytime, Benny.”
I stand, shake his hand once again, and exit his office. Since it is only seven-thirty in the evening – much too early to head home – I have my driver take me to the gym.
***
Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is blasting in my ears as I pound the treadmill. Droplets of sweat run down my forehead and my back, but I keep running. Faster and faster. Longer and harder. I run until my thighs begin to burn and I’m sure I am going to pass out from the pain. Then I slow it down gently until I am at walking pace before I step off. I tug my tank off over my head and collapse back on the floor with my hands over my face as I try to catch my breath.
When my heart rate slows, I stand, throw my tank over my shoulder, and grab a bottle of water from my bag. Absentmindedly, I scan the gym. Deep down I know I’m only looking for one person, but I’m not ready to admit that out loud yet.
Then I see her. She’s working on an elliptical, earbuds in her ears, tight Lycra calf-length workout pants with a hot pink slash down the side. Covering her chest is a matching sports bra, the hot pink slash right across her ample chest. I take a minute to admire the way her ass moves. Then I realize the attraction I feel for her is becoming harder and harder to ignore. Soon, I won’t have the power to fight it. It’s already consuming me in ways I never knew existed.
As if sensing my stare, she turns her head and gives me a small smile. Of their own accord, my legs begin taking me to her. I am powerless to stop the control she unknowingly exerts over my body.
“Hey,” I rasp as I near her. The intoxicating scent of her sweaty, yet sweet smell invades my senses.
“Hey, Benny.” She gives me a blinding grin that I can’t help but return.
“So, this is becoming a bit of a habit, us meeting like this,” I say, giving her a wicked grin. Her gaze drops to my bare stomach and she licks her lips before meeting my gaze again.
“It sure is.” Something in her tone tells me she isn’t minding one bit. Truth be told, neither am I.
“You up for a juice when you’re finished?” I ask.
“Sounds good. I’m done, anyway. Give me five minutes and I’ll meet you at the juice bar?”
I give her a nod and walk back to collect my gym bag while she heads off in the direction of the change rooms.
I really hope she doesn’t change out of that outfit. It’s only workout gear, but fuck, she fills it out perfectly.
“Can I get one apple and guava, and a Tropicana,” I say to the teenager behind the juice bar.
“Coming up.”
She hands me two bottles of juice and I slide her some cash before finding a table for Makenna and me. A few minutes
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