Ditching The Dream (Dream Series) by Isabelle Peterson

You’ve been co-existing… that’s it! No one needs to be a hole in the mattress. This is good. It’s good for both of you. Greg will see what he’s missing and you’ll see what a strong, amazing person you are.”
    “Alright, alright…” I agreed. “I talked with him tonight. He actually had the audacity to complain that he was reduced to eating microwave meals and takeout.”
    “See, that’s what I’m saying. He views you as his personal chef and errand runner.”
    “And he thinks I’m doing this because I want to be with another guy. He actually told me to go and ‘sow my wild oats.’ Oh, and I have one month to figure myself out. I’ve spent twenty years losing myself and I get one month to find me?” I laughed.
    “What an ass!” she blasted. “But then again… Would you do that? ‘Sow your wild oats,’ as he so eloquently put it. I mean, think about it. If he’s giving you permission…”
    “Jess – that’s not why I did this and you know it!”
    “I know, I know. But if you’ve got his blessing , as it were…”
    “Jessica Felicity Richards!” I screeched.
    “Hey, I’m just sayin’…”
    “You would. But you know I’m not here for that. It was not about my sex life.”
    “Well, you are practically a virgin.”
    “I’m not a virgin. I’ve had three kids.”
    “That’s not what I’m saying and you know it. If it were me, I would go for it,” she asserted.
    “You would not. Jim and you are so perfect together.”
    “Yeah, we are,” she sighed. “But hey, if he gave me permission — let’s just say that I would give it serious consideration. But you and Greg are not me and Jim. So, any prospects?”
    My mind instantly jumped to Jack and Kevin, my stomach filling with butterflies. Jack with his intensity. Kevin and his easy going nature with the electric touch. Both had well-built bodies. Both were… What was wrong with me? I was not here to philander! I was here to prove to myself what I was capable of. And I was not capable of having an affair.
    But would it be an affair if my husband told me to do it?
    “I take it from your silence that you have someone in mind.”
    “How do you do that?” I asked.
    “Bets, I’ve known you since the third grade, sitting in Miss Schneider’s class. I can read you like a Judy Blume book.” That was true. Jessica always had this uncanny sense to know what I was thinking, even when we weren’t together. And it worked the other way. I always knew when she was in trouble or something was going on. It was like we were twins, with that twin link everyone talks about. But, talking about being with other men was all so wrong, and not helping me clear my head.
    “Earth to Bets. Spill.”
    “Well, there are two guys actually,” I admitted. Might as well, she’d make me tell sooner or later.
    Jessica then squealed so loudly that I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Tell, tell, tell!”
    “Ugh, Jess, there’s nothing to tell… not really. I mean there’s this neighbor guy, but he looks to be at least ten years younger than me, and he’s so handsome that he must have some incredible girlfriend. Or he’s gay. Then there’s this guy at the bar and I think he’s a regular, but he’s not your ‘regular’, if you know what I mean, but he’s much older than me for sure. So, no. No real prospects.”
    “I think they both sound divine. An older man… a young cub!”
    “Seriously, Jess. You read too much. I’m fine, really.”
    “Okay, okay. What are your plans for your birthday? I’m a little sore that you bolted before we got a chance to celebrate.”
    Oh yes, my forty-third birthday. Not really a mile-stone of any sort. Wasn’t planning on anything anyway. Greg would have probably taken me out to that restaurant again. And probably another gift card.
    “No plans. I’ll probably have to work that day, anyway.”
    “I wish I could fly out, but Jeremy’s band will be in town performing that week and I really want to