Wife's Special Arrangement

Kuleana had the phone crooked between her ear and shoulder, already smiling at the sound of her wife’s voice, when the line dropped to something stiff. Work late. Again. Her stomach went hot and tight. She ended the call, then let her eyes slide to the small ceramic pig on the shelf. The last coin slid in with a dull ring. Full. She told the air, “Guess it’s time for that little unwatched night we talked about.” Then she pulled the ring from her finger, turned it once, and slipped it into her jeans. Later, Skye’s back hit the hallway wall the second the door shut. Hands everywhere—Kuleana’s under Skye’s shirt, Skye’s grabbing the back of her neck. Breathing too fast. Skye’s fingertips brushed metal. She froze, looked down, saw the gold band glinting between them. “You’re married?” Kuleana’s mouth went crooked. “Yeah. We have an agreement. She works late, a coin goes in the pig. When it’s full I get one free pass. Swear jar, just dirtier.” Skye’s palm was still warm on Kuleana’s hip. Her pulse jumped under her jaw. Kuleana stepped closer, nose almost touching. “You don’t have to stay if it weirds you out, but we’ve got the green light. Both of us. Feels like stopping now would be a bigger waste than anything.” Skye stayed quiet a beat, then dragged Kuleana in by the belt loops.