Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



"Sort of, but not exactly."

Elysia frowned, confusion lacing her voice. "What do you mean 'sort of, but not exactly"?"

Tarquin didn't elaborate, his tone serious. "Let's move."

"Excuse me?"

"I've got a friend who's got a vacation home sitting empty. You and the kids can move in there. No rent, and it's a comfortable place."

He quickly added, hoping to ease any worries Elysia might have, "You and the kids would move. I wouldn't be coming."

Elysia was speechless.

Tarquin continued, "There's a great preschool nearby, too. I can help with transferring the kids."

"Transfer schools?!"

"Yeah, it's a better school than the one around here. And don't worry about the paperwork or tuition fees."

Elysia frowned, "No way!"

Staying in his friend's house felt too close for comfort, almost as if they were living under his roof. It would make it too easy for their secret to be exposed.

They were getting along fine now, but who's to say he wouldn't change his tune and fight her for custody if he found out about the triplets?

She couldn't take that risk.

Not unless he and she...

Tarquin was puzzled. "Why not?"

Elysia struggled to find an excuse. "Personal reasons I'd rather not discuss. But I'm definitely not moving or transferring the kids."

Seeing her resolve, Tarquin's brows knitted tighter together.

Before he could say anything, Elysia quickly added, "This has nothing to do with Keith. Don't jump to conclusions."

Tarquin's expression darkened. "But I'm suggesting this move because of him! Keith is bad news. Buying the house across from Blossom was no accident. He's up to something!"

Elysia looked at him calmly. "Do you have any proof?"

Tarquin fell silent.

Elysia explained, "I'm not accusing you of slandering Keith. I just want to know why you'd say that. After all, Blossom and the kids think Keith is a decent guy."

Tarquin replied coldly, "He's just good at pretending! I can't prove it right now, but I'm sure there's something off about him! I wouldn't harm you!" Elysia held his gaze for a few seconds. "I believe you wouldn't hurt me. But if you think Keith is up to something, what do you think it is?" Tarquin was at a loss for words.

He had wondered about Keith's real motive for getting close to Elysia but hadn't figured it out yet.

"Do

you think Keith is not just testing the waters, but actually likes me?" Elysia asked.

Tarquin frowned, pondering before asking, "What do you think?"

Elysia was candid. "I don't think he likes me. Not only is it a lot of pressure dating someone with three sons, but Keith and I also have no private contact. We don't even have each other's numbers. If he liked me, he'd at least ask Blossom for my contact or try to bump into me occasionally, right? Emotions can't be controlled that easily. He wouldn't be able to stay so detached."

Tarquin found himself agreeing with Elysia's logic.

The fact that Keith could completely vanish from her sight at least proved he wasn't that into Elysia.noveldrama

And then there were the things Keith said after turning off the listening device today!

He talked about dreaming of intimate moments with Elysia, in various places, in various positions...

He got into graphic detail, which is why Tarquin couldn't hold back and punched him!

That's also why he didn't tell Elysia or the kids when they asked about it later.

The kids were too young for such topics.

And as for Elysia, he didn't want to upset her. After all, no woman would be pleased to hear someone fantasizing about them in such a manner.