An audit by Elena

That evening they met Erica's girlfriend for a drink. They met Elena at the same pub they had begun their affair in, at the same table.

Elena was slender, blonde and petite, although a few inches taller than Erica. The two had been friends since grade school and had shared secrets and confidences all their lives. She looked at Michael with curious interest, her eyes probing him.

"He doesn't look so old, Erica," she said. "No offense, Michael."

"That sound more like a compliment," he smiled.

"I guess it could be. Actually, I would have thought that a few weeks of Erica would have worn you out."

"More like the other way round," Erica laughed, hugging his arm. Elena raised her eyebrows, then raised her glass in a toast to Michael.

"Well done sir."

They chatted idly. Michael noticed how Elena threw in occasional questions, apparently casual, asking about his personal life, his likes and dislikes. She shared a similar ironic sense of humor as Erica, and she laughed several times at his sarcastic cynicism.

After her second drink Elena stood, smiling at the two of them.

"I've go to go. But there's one last thing." She leaned forward, lifted Michael's chin and kissed him, her lips soft and pliant. And for an instant there was the soft electric flicker of her tongue.

"Oh I very much approve," she smiled to Erica, gathering her coat and purse and waving a goodbye.

"So did I pass?" Michael asked Erica when her friend was gone.

"A long time ago, lover. This was just an audit."