Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Tarquin's suspicion deepened as he witnessed the reactions of Elliot, Evan, Emmett, and Elysia upon seeing the man - shock and panic, but no hostility. This indicated the man wasn't an enemy.

If not an enemy, then what stirred such a reaction within them?

There had to be something between Elysia and that man!

Tarquin furrowed his brows, pressing for answers, "What exactly are you so nervous about?"

Elysia, catching her breath with her long lashes fluttering, attempted a lie with wide eyes, "Me, nervous? Not at all!"

With a skeptical frown, Tarquin pushed, "It's written all over your face. What is your relationship with him?"

"He... He's Elliot, Evan, and Emmett's gym teacher, Keith."

Keith? The kindergarten...

Tarquin's concern deepened, "He's Keith?"

"Yes, do you know him?"

Tarquin's frown deepened. Keith was the new homeowner across the street, the one Lowell had unsuccessfully tried to persuade into selling his house despite offering a price many times its worth.

So, that's why Lowell couldn't seal the deal with Keith - it was all connected to Elysia!

But what sort of relationship could cause such a stir at the mere sight of him?

And Keith, upon seeing him and Elijah, seemed just as taken aback.

"You know him well?"

Elysia shook her head instantly, "Not really, I've only seen him once before. Today was the second time."

Tarquin half-doubted her words, "Just the second time and yet, you, Elliot, Evan, and Emmett react like this?"

"We... What reaction? We're just nervous seeing the teacher!"

"Don't insult my intelligence. If you don't give me a straight answer, I'll go ask him myself."

Elysia's eyes widened in panic, "You... you can't go talk to him!"

Tarquin scowled, "Then tell me the truth! What's going on between you two?"

"I told you, he's the kids' teacher. Our relationship is purely that of a teacher and a parent. He came last time to visit Blossom, probably here for the same reason today."

"Then why the panic at the sight of him?"

"We didn't..."

Snap! Snap!

99

Not a slap, but Tarquin placing his hands on the door frame, cutting off Elysia's words.

He cornered Elysia between himself and the door frame in a classic move.

Elysia shivered in fear, finding herself trapped with no escape!

Tarquin, with a stern look, pressed her, "I'll say it one last time, either you explain, or I go find him now."

Breathless, Elysia knew she couldn't reveal the truth nor let him confront Keith!

But what to do?

As her mind raced for a solution, Tarquin inched closer!

His imposing presence was nearly overwhelming!

Startled, Elysia let out a scream, "Ah!"

Tarquin, looming over her, his voice icy, "Decided yet? Will I hear it from you, or him?"noveldrama

Elysia, feeling utterly trapped, could only look up at him with a pitiful expression, lips trembling.

Tarquin's brows knitted together in irritation, "Stop biting your lip!"