4 - The Anniversary Surprise #5
Avery considered this, remembering the vulnerability in Tyler’s eyes when he’d asked if she was okay. The contrast between that moment and the confident, almost dominant man who had orchestrated the entire evening was striking.
“I should go,” Ethan said, finishing his coffee. “You two have a lot to talk about.”
“What happens now?” Avery asked. “Between all of us, I mean.”
Ethan’s expression softened. “That’s for you and Tyler to decide. I’m just grateful to have been part of something special for both of you.” He stood, reaching for his jacket.
As he moved toward the door, Tyler appeared from the bedroom, dressed in lounge pants and a T-shirt, his hair tousled from sleep.
“You’re leaving?” he asked Ethan.
“I think it’s best. Give you two some space.”
Tyler crossed the room toward him, embracing him with genuine warmth. “Thank you,” he said simply.
The two men shared a look of understanding before Ethan turned to Avery.
After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward and hugged him, as well, feeling the strange mixture of intimacy and distance that their unique situation had created.
“I’ll walk you out,” Tyler said.
As the two men stepped onto the porch, Avery busied herself preparing breakfast, her mind swirling with thoughts and questions.
Through the window, she watched their conversation—Tyler animated, Ethan nodding seriously.
There was an easy camaraderie between them that seemed unchanged despite everything that had happened.
When Tyler returned, his expression was thoughtful. “Avery, we need to talk.”
She nodded, setting plates of eggs and toast on the small dining table. “Yes, we do.”
They sat across from each other, the morning sun illuminating Tyler’s face as he struggled to find the right words.
“I should have told you about my fantasies sooner,” he finally said. “I just didn’t know how.”
“You orchestrated all of this,” Avery said, not accusingly but seeking understanding. “The cabin, Ethan’s appearance—it wasn’t a spontaneous thing.”
Tyler met her gaze steadily. “No, it wasn’t. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time—watching you with someone else, directing what happens between you. I’ve tried to ignore it, but the desire just got stronger.”
“Why Ethan?”
“Because I trust him. Because I’ve seen how he looks at you—with appreciation but respect. And because I knew you found him attractive, even if you never admitted it.”
Avery couldn’t deny it. There had always been a subtle electricity between her and Ethan, carefully ignored out of respect for her marriage.
“Were you jealous at all?” she asked, genuinely curious. “Watching us together?”
Tyler shook his head. “That’s what’s strange. I thought I might be, but I wasn’t. I felt … powerful. In control. More connected to you than ever, even when I was just watching.”
Avery reached across the table, taking his hand. “I saw a different side of you last night. You were so confident, so sure of what you wanted. I’ve never seen you like that before.”
“Did you like it?” The vulnerability was back in his eyes.
“I did,” she admitted. “Very much. It was unexpected, but …” She hesitated then decided on complete honesty. “It was incredibly arousing to see you take control that way.”
Relief washed over Tyler’s face. “I’ve always been afraid to show that side of myself. I thought you wanted me to be the safe, predictable husband.”
“I want all of you,” Avery said firmly. “Including the parts you’ve been hiding.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, both processing the significance of this new honesty between them.
“So, what happens now?” Tyler finally asked, echoing her earlier question to Ethan.
Avery considered carefully before answering, “I think we need to talk more—about what we both want, what our boundaries are. Last night was intense and beautiful, but it was also a huge step into unknown territory.”
Tyler nodded. “And Ethan? Would you want to …?”
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Part of me does. But I also don’t want our marriage to become dependent on having someone else involved.
” She paused, gathering her courage. “What I do know is that I want to explore this new dynamic between us. The way you took control last night—I didn’t know how much I needed that. ”
Tyler’s expression brightened. “Really?”
“Really. And maybe that’s enough for now—discovering these new aspects of each other.”
As they continued their conversation, Avery’s phone buzzed with a text message. Glancing at it, she saw Ethan’s name on the screen. She hesitated before handing the phone to Tyler.
The message was simple:
Thank you both for last night. Whenever you want to explore again, just say the word.
Tyler looked up from the phone, his eyes meeting Avery’s across the table. Something unspoken passed between them—an acknowledgment of possibility, of a door that had been opened and could not be closed again.
Avery reached for the phone, reading the message herself. Then, with a small smile, she set it facedown on the table and reached for Tyler’s hand. “Let’s enjoy the rest of our anniversary weekend,” she said softly. “Just us.”
Tyler squeezed her hand, tracing circles on her skin. “Just us,” he agreed. “For now.”