"I figured as much. Those uniform trousers don't leave much to the imagination."
"It's great that you're inspecting my fiancé's trousers with such thoroughness," she said. "Thanks for that."
I shrugged. "I'm just looking out for you, love."
"Again, thank you," she said. "And second, we don't have sex every night."
"I'm sorry to hear that," the waiter cooed as he stepped up to the table. He shifted our plates and beverages to make room for the veggie dip and fries. To Annette, he said, "I hope things improve soon."
I reached into my wallet and pulled out two bills. "Here's one hundred dollars. Take this and exit yourself from this conversation." I glanced back at the table. "After you bring us another round."
He plucked the cash from my fingers. "Gladly."
I pushed the fries toward Annette. "Explain this to me. You're engaged, you live together, you can't get enough of each other—and you're not having sex every night? Why the hell not?"
"We don't need to," she replied. "Being with someone doesn't mean you have three-hundred-and-sixty-five days of sex. It means falling asleep beside them is just as meaningful as sex. Sometimes, more meaningful."
I stared at her, baffled. "You're steering me toward a long-term, committed relationship andnowyou're telling me it doesn't involve dick on the daily?"
As she hefted a handful of fries onto her plate, she replied, "That seems to be what I'm saying, yes."
"Are you out of your mind? Why would I entertain that sort of thing?"
"I love you," she said, laughing, "but you're crazy."
"I think you mean eccentric or free-spirited. Crazy has such negative connotations."
She grinned as she bit into the fries. "Mmhmm."
Holding out my hands, I leaned toward her. "Since we're here and we're having this conversation, I need your insight. Your married lady insight."
"I'm not married. We haven't even set a date yet. You know this, darling."
An exasperated grunt sounded in my throat. "You know what I mean."
"Yes, fine. I know what you mean." She fluttered her hands at me. "What do you need?"
I rubbed my thumb over my fingernails. "He does this thing where he waits for me."
"Waits where?" she asked around a mouthful of fries.
Still focused on my fingernails, I said, "You know. During sex."
There was a long pause and then, "Ah. Okay."
I glanced up at her, my lip snagged between my teeth. "Is that weird?"
She shook her head, waved her hands. "No, it's generous. It'srespectful. Men who participate in sex like it's a team sport are the best kinds. Oh my god, thebest."
I dropped my chin onto my fist. "I've never thought of it that way. The team sport way. I've always thought of it like an individual competition that happened to involve another person."
She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, so you're the selfish partner in the bed?"
I glanced away. "I guess so?"
"But JJ isn't selfish," she remarked. I shook my head. "I promise you, it's a good thing. It's awesome. Let it happen." When I didn't respond, she continued, "Do you know that expression, Big Dick Energy?"
I revisited the cheeses. "Ugh. Yes. Why?"
