Unbidden, Marissa’s image showed in his mind, and her statement, which he had been trying so hard to erase from his memory, surfaced again, coupled with the serious expression in her eyes when she uttered it.

Morris’s pained statement that his wife had left him after what she termed goodbye sex had brought to mind Marissa’s statement as well.

“Is this truly how women think?” Bernard thought in exasperation.

“Who can truly understand a woman?” his subconscious said. “At least he got goodbye sex; you might not even be offered that at all because of your ridiculous bet.”

“She wouldn't leave, would she?” Bernard thought as he stood up in...