Dr. Jack Reynold lost his mind and university hospital’s research assistant, Amy Taylor was smart to send him away when he approached her after what had transpired the day before. Thoughts of what had gone right and wrong had dawned heavily on her; Jack’s fingertips plucked her puffy pregnant nipples as she jerked his cock almost causing the doctor to ejaculate on her desk. They almost made out and didn’t only because Amy was called on the PA system to the first floor.

She’s eight months pregnant and her verbally-abusive cocky boyfriend, Frank Ramsey works at the city’s best hospital down the road. Amy and Frank have had problems since she became pregnant and Frank often leaves her for days telling her he’s away for work. Amy’s not innocent either; she’s crossed the line with a few guys, flirting her curves and teasing but she hasn’t been totally unfaithful. When she has the baby, she just wants to leave Frank. 

The sensual encounter came into play that night, when Jack Reynold was in bed with his wife of fifteen years, Kate. She reached over and Jack woke up.

“Come closer, honey.”

Jack came and began fondling Kate’s breasts. He really wanted her but now that she’s seeing a woman as well, she wasn’t his. Jack’s cock rose and Kate lifted her nightie for him to put it in her. Their ooohs and ahhhs could be heard throughout the dawn and after forty-five minutes, Jack was at the end of the bed, feeling unclean for having sex with his wife.

“You okay, honey?” Kate said, lighting up a cigarette.

“Yeah, just have a headache.”

“Come here. Let me make it feel better.”

Jack laid back as Kate massaged his head. They fell back to sleep until it was time for Jack to leave for work.

Jack stumbled through another day, his mind searched for reasons why’s he still with his wife. He never had thoughts about another woman until that episode with Amy. He knows that he and Kate are only together for the sake of their son Mark. 

Kate started seeing one of her friends, Marlene while they were working at SmithKline and Beecham. Jack was away in Dubai for a month for a doctor’s conference and Kate blamed his absence for her transgression.  

Jack came home from work and took a breath before stepping inside. Mark was on the sofa, stretched out reading the book, The Odyssey.

“Hey, son, where’s your mother?”

“She’s outside, Dad,” he said waving in the direction of the back.

Kate was hanging out the laundry. 

“Hey, Kate.”

“Jack?” Kate said jumping.

“I’m sorry. I startled you. I’ve been thinking⁠—”

“Thinking about what, sweetheart?”

“About going out for dinner tonight. Just me and you. I think Mark will be okay for a few hours.”

“Where?”

“Margaret’s.” He overheard Amy Taylor talking about Margaret’s to her colleagues at work.

“So—you want to take me to Margaret’s? What’s that for?”

“Just want to spend some quality time with you⁠—”

“I see—all right, then. Did you make the reservations yet?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Well, if we want to eat tonight, I’d call them right away.”

Nine o’clock was the earliest time and Jack took it. “Be a gentleman,” he said as he put on his best suit seeing he hadn’t shaven in weeks. Between the long hours at work, his son’s soccer practices and Kate’s rendezvous with her lover Marlene, Jack’s probably violated his hospital’s grooming protocols. Yet, Amy likes it, his brain remarked replaying the scene at the lab. Jack sighed forcing the memory to go away as he showered.

When he came out of the bathroom, Kate was there, arms crossed. “Out, Dr. Reynolds, my turn,” she said pushing Jack out of the way.

“Okay, okay.”

When they are ready to leave, they go to Mark who’s playing with his Nintendo Switch in the living room. 

“Son, your mother and I are heading out for dinner. I trust you won’t burn the house down while we’re gone.” Jack said looking in the mirror. “How do I look?”

“Nice, Dad.”

“Hey, put that Gameboy down and read another chapter?” Kate said.

“Mom, it’s not a Gameboy. It’s called⁠—“

“Whatever it’s called. Please, son, make sure you finish your reading before going to bed. We will be back late.”

“Ok, Mom.”

“There’s some leftovers in the fridge. Just heat it up in the microwave. Okay, Mark?”

“Yes, Mom.” 

Kate kissed Mark on the forehead while Jack’s already by the door with his coat on and glancing at the clock.

“Bye, Mom, bye, Dad!”

“Bye,” Kate tossed her handbag over her shoulder and stepped outside.

“Bye, son,” Jack said, “In bed by ten-ish, all right? And make sure the door’s locked.”

“Okay, Dad.”

This is the first time in five years that Kate and Jack went out to dinner. Kate walked ahead of Jack as he hurried to open the car door for her but doesn’t manage to do so in time. Kate got in and Jack sighed, “Can I be a gentleman for once?”

“You move too slow? Just hurry before we’re late.”

During the drive, Jack spent time trying to remember exactly how to go out on a date. They arrive at Margaret’s and are led to their seats. 

“May I take your coats?” The waiter said pulling out the chairs for them.

“Here and thank you,” Jack said, slipping off his and Kate took off hers.

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

“Well, isn’t this nice,” Kate said looking around.

“Yes, it is,” Jack choked, trying his hardest not to look at a woman in front of his table. Oh my God! That’s Amy Taylor! Look at those breasts coming out of her dress. Jack hurried to open the menu almost reading every word.

“Sorry, ma’am,” a man said plopping down in the seat behind Kate. It was the guy who came with Amy and Jack didn’t recognize him. He looked harder and saw the hospital ID around his neck with the words, “Frank Ramsey - Orthopaedic Surgeon” written in bold caps on top. What the hell is Amy doing with that foot butcher?

“No problem—so,” Kate said turning to Jack, “Did you have a good day at work? Anything new?”

“Nothing special. How about you?”

“If the house looked the same as it did when you left this morning, then you know how my day went.” Kate was bored to death working from home. She started writing contemporary romance novels three years ago and a few made the USA Today’s Bestseller’s list. 

At the table across them, Amy’s date was blabbering about something, and Jack couldn’t help but notice her looking at him every few seconds. He put his elbow on the table and rested his head in his hand so that he might do the same. God, she’s beautiful. He began daydreaming about Kate and Dr. What’s-His-Name vanishing, their tables come together and Jack and Amy start making love on top of them.

“Jack!” Jack flinched and looked at Kate. “What are you looking at? Do I have something on my face?” Kate took out her mirror to look.

“Nothing. Just something about work. That’s all.” 

The waiter came over to take their order after Amy and the butcher ordered first. Jack looked again seeing Amy smiling at him. The butcher snapped his fingers, getting her attention.

“Is there something on this menu that Margaret’s known for, honey?” Jack said turning his eyes from Amy.

“If there was, I’d expect they’d mark it in red on the menu you were just memorizing—so you tell me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve been out on a date.”

“Well, get it together, Jack. This is my time, honey. Not the lab rats or the girl in the red dress with the big boobs.”

“Honey, what are you talking about?”

“Jack, please let’s just have a good time, okay?”

“Okay, honey.”

“We’ll have…,” Kate started saying to the waiter.

They ate, and Jack continued staring at Amy’s breasts during the course of the meal. Kate noticed but didn’t say anything else.

“Would you like dessert, sweetheart?” 

“What time is it, Jack?”

Feels like it must be nearing midnight, Jack grumbled checking his watch, “A quarter after ten.”

“No, it’s all right, honey.”

Suddenly, Amy stood up and started walking out with the butcher. He trailed behind her trying to pull her back. Jack then got up and told Kate he was going to the restroom.

“Ok, honey! Don’t get lost.”

“I won’t. I’ll be right back.” Jack kissed Kate and headed in the bathroom’s direction checking behind him to see if she was looking. Then, he snuck out spotting the surgeon and Amy’s arguing.

“I don’t want to go with you,” Jack overheard Amy yelling.

“We go out to dinner and now you’re not going back with me? For God’s sake, I’m the father of your child.”

Amy paces back and forward. “Not tonight! Leave me the hell alone!”

“Oh, now, we’re playing like kids at school? Just get the hell in the car.”

“No!”

The surgeon grabbed Amy and tried dragging her into the car. Amy swung her handbag and hit him in the face. The surgeon stumbled back and Jack ran to her rescue. 

“You okay, ma’am?” Jack said seeing the surgeon on the ground.

“I’m okay, Jack. Please leave.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You hit on a pregnant woman and you think you’re a tough guy, huh?” 

Jack hit the man with his cane and Amy tried pulling Jack back.

“Stop it, Jack!”

The surgeon covered himself and Jack grabbed Amy’s arm. Amy flinched and said, “Don’t touch me, Jack.”

“Amy, please⁠—”

“Just leave me the fuck alone!” Amy gathered her things and marched back inside Margaret’s.

Jack came back in and walked right by Amy who was at the mirror fixing herself. Jack’s wife, Kate was sitting at the bar having a Scotch.

“Oh, you’re finally back,” she said. “I thought you left me. Somebody said you were fighting outside over a woman.”

“Well, that’s fake news!”

“Well, baby. I need you to tell you something.” Kate leaned in feeling tipsy. 

“What honey?”

“Sweetheart, I paid the bill so you can⁠—“

“What?”

“Marlene’s here to have a few more drinks with me.”

“What the fuck? You’re on a date with me, remember?”

“Jack, please not tonight. Marlene’s right outside.”

“Sweetheart, I told you to keep that bitch out of our lives.”

“When you left me to go to Dubai to learn about taking out people’s organs, I needed some attention. Remember?” Kate grabbed Jack’s hand and he pulled away. “It will only be for a little while. I’ll be home soon.”

“Pardon me, pardon me,” a woman said from behind Jack. She had on a black dress and walked right in front of him sliding onto the stool beside Kate. “Right on time, darling.” Kate kissed her and put her arm around her.

“Would’ve been early if I could’ve gotten away from a minute sooner,” Marlene said staring at Jack. “ Oh, hi, Jack.”

“Oh, Lord! You again…”

“I know, I know—don’t listen to Mr. Grumpy,” Kate said. “Good night, sweetheart. I’ll see you when I get in.” 

“Kate, you’re so fucking wrong?”

“I said I’ll see you when I get home, sweetheart.”

Jack walked out and thought that Amy had left but she didn’t.

Two days later, Jack spotted Amy Taylor walking down the university’s first-floor corridor and stopped her.  

“Good morning, Amy. Will you be available to assist me in a study later this evening?” Jack asked feeling a trickle of hope that maybe, against all reason, Amy will agree. That perhaps, afterward, she’ll want to talk. They can grab a coffee and sort everything out. He can then apologize for his behavior, and explain his situation with Kate, and she will understand that his marriage is nonexistent except on paper. 

“I, I don’t⁠—”

“I’ll be the guinea pig this time. I could definitely use you for this one.”

“I—I don’t know, Jack. You know the other night—“ Amy stuttered.

“Forget about the other night. Are you free?”

“I am but not until after 8.”

“Ok, I’ll meet you at the lab—let’s say around nine?”

“Ok.”