Chapter 144

"You really need this, don't you?" I knew the answer when I said it.

"I want to be able to express my wild side," she said. "Not just have it dictated by work or my business."

I laughed. There was a perverse logic behind it.

"I think I get it, babe," I said. "But just remember not to be self-sabotaging about it. This isn't driven by some desire to escape or worrying that we're moving into a house now, right?"

She shook her head. "It's more that I worry, with you being retired, that you'll get bored," she said. "I know you. You need to keep moving. You like variety. You like change. I don't want you to be bored."

"Well, when you put it that way," I said, "I'm sure there is zero chance of that happening."

We snuggled up to watch a movie. I understood Jess's position. At the same time, this was a dangerous proposition. I c