Not a solicitation of advice, because I have no intention of pursuing this further.

[Aristus]

5. That's a fair question, and I don't know if I have an answer.

Pride is a possibility; It is an ego boost to think that this stunning, talented woman could be so casually demonstrative with me. I do wonder if she finds me physically attractive. My wife certainly does, and although that's nothing to sneeze at, it's the kind of thing one can take for granted after 18 years together.

That's why I classified this incident as sort of a mid-life crisis trigger. There's an element of "what if?" about it.

But there's no way I'd ever pursue the "what-if"; I adore my wife, and even if we weren't happy, I could never hurt her. Also, I value and respect R too much to ever do something as tawdry a make a play for her.