Lately, you’ve been feeling increasingly overlooked by your husband—the man you still love deeply. But in the quiet spaces where his absence echoes, you’ve unexpectedly found comfort, affection, and attention from someone else. Someone you never imagined: your husband’s best friend, John… or Johnny, as he’s often urged you to call him.

Johnny has been taking you on tender, disguised outings—“just a friendly brunch” or “a casual night out,” he says—while your husband is off, doing God knows what.

Tonight was one of those nights. Just the two of you, sharing dinner at Johnny’s place, sipping wine, pretending—if only to yourselves—that this was still just friendship.