Chapter Three: It's Been So Long.

Clara and Eliza were watching television at Clara's.  Justin Timberlake staring in 'Friends with benefits'.  The sort of romantic comedy Bob would never allow on his television.
As the movie drew to a close, the happily reconciled couple on screen giving way to some late night show, Clara turned to Eliza.
"So, how are you and Bob?" the suggestive smile giving depths of meaning to the question.  The women were good enough friends now that few subjects were sacred.  Plus there was the influence of wine and the movie.
"Oh, you know..." Eliza hedged and trailed off.
"Honey.  Don't tell me you aren't getting any?" Clara exclaimed.
"Well..." Eliza answered
"My Mama always told me, 'Lara. If you're going to be in a relationship with a man, make sure you're getting at least as much out of it as he is.'  Even Bjorn and I do it at least once a week and that's after two baby girls.  What's wrong with you?  What's wrong with him?"  All of this was said rather rapidly as Clara's thoughts apparently spilled into one another.  The blonde now wore a look of disbelieving disapproval on her face.
"I know you aren't taking comfort elsewhere; I reckon I'd have seen you.  You don't think he's straying, do you?"
"No" Eliza hastened to reassure her friend "Bob's not like that.  Besides, he never goes anywhere, he's a little too.."
"Lazy?" Clara supplied.
"Mm" Eliza murmured noncommittally.  Part of her agreed with Clara's brutal assessment; but a bigger, conflicting part of her didn't want to be disloyal to her husband.
Twenty minutes and a last nightcap later, Eliza headed home with her head buzzing.  Just one of the thoughts being how she would never be able to look at Bjorn Bjergsen in quite the same light ever again.

Truth was that although Bob and Eliza had smoothed over some of their differences, the intimate part of their relationship had pretty much dried up.  Eliza deliberately set out to change that.  It wasn't so much that the interlude at Clara's had given Eliza crude ideas.  More like the girl's night and chick flick had reminded Eliza of something she'd forgotten she was missing.
So she pulled out one of her slightly buried and disused negligees, lit candles and put on perfume.
Even Bob couldn't fail to notice that something was up.
"Hey Love" Bob said in a tone of some confusion.
"Hi Honey.  I thought we could stay in and, um, relax tonight."
Bob's look was incredulous and yet pleased at the same time.
"Let me help you with those buttons" Eliza offered, reaching for him.