Page 133 of Wife After Wife

Eros03: That’s exciting news! I think we will be the very best of friends.

Chloe0573: I’m kinda hoping we might be more than friends (oh my gosh I am blushing IRL). I think we have a real connection going on. Hey, Harry, what do you look like? I have fair hair and brown eyes, regular height. I’m twenty-nine years old.

Eros03: I’m six foot two. My hair is what they call strawberry blond. Eyes of blue. A bit heavier than I should be but working on that. Older than you but still in my prime.

Chloe0573: So tall! I love a tall man. How about a photo?

Eros03: Probably beyond my technical skills.

Harry waited while there was a brief pause.

Chloe0573: Look in your inbox! That’s me a little while ago. I’m trying to cut down on the junk food too!

Harry clicked on the photo. A pretty girl was standing in front of a pirate ship, grinning at the camera. He recognized Disneyland. She had wavy fair hair and was of average build. Just a regular girl. Harry liked what he saw.

Eros03: You look wholesome! Like healthy bread.

Anki explained how to attach a photo. He copied an old one from the internet—in black tie, at some award ceremony, and sent it, hoping she wouldn’t recognize him.

Eros03: That’s me a couple of years ago. I’m a little larger now but should be back in trim soon. Also I have a beard now.

Chloe0573: I love beards!

Eros03: Excellent news.

Chloe0573: I have to go now but it’s been cool chatting. Good night, Harry xxx

Eros03: Good night, sweetheart xxx

•••

The next time they went online, Anki was on a mission. She hauled him to her new purple couch, saying, “Let’s make out!!” She told him Chloe0573 had done so once before but it had been gross, as the avatar she’d met turned out to be kinky. There were a lot of those around, she said.

Eros03: Right you are, willing to give it a try.

Afterward, in a DM, he said:

Well, that was weird.

Yeah, but in a good way, right?

They got better at it after a few nights, by virtue of creative language that had Harry’s pulse racing. After the fourth time, a red throbbing heart appeared over Chloe0573’s head.

Chloe0573: Click on it!

He did as she said:Partnership request!

Eros03: What is this, pray?

Chloe0573: It’s a proposal, honey. Will you marry me?

Carried away with the moment, Harry clickedAccept.

Chloe0573: Love you, Eros03! Now you need to go, cuz I got me a wedding to arrange!

CHAPTER 42

Terri