Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



Tarquin looked at her, his eyes softening, "Can we talk calmly once you've cooled down?"

Elysia muttered, "You were the one who got mad first!"

"So, I apologized, didn't I? I was too impulsive and my attitude was off. It just irks me seeing you with him, especially after I've told you to keep your distance."

"I explained it already, didn't I? I bumped into him by accident when I went downstairs. You just won't believe me!"

Tarquin's lips twitched, "Be honest with me, do you like Keith?"

Speechless and on the verge of snapping back, Elysia caught the earnest look on his face and swallowed her words, grumbling instead, "I don't! I've said it a million times!"

Relief washed over Tarquin, settling his restless heart. Though he still had his reservations about her looking so dolled up around Keith, as long as she didn't fancy Keith, it was okay.

He reached out, gently patting Elysia's head in a soothing gesture, "There, there, let's not be angry."

"Get lost!"

Tarquin chuckled, his mood instantly lifting. He had never known what it was like to truly care for someone until now. Joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, all because of her.

"Let's go, I brought you breakfast. All your favorites."

Elysia stood still, "I have a question for you."

"What is it?" he asked.

Elysia hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Are you planning to rent apartment 1803?"

Tarquin was taken aback, "How did you find out?"

Their building, Blossom, housed four apartments per floor. The Blooms lived in 1801, Keith in 1802, and the other two apartments were 1803 and 1804. Since Keith refused to sell, Tarquin had negotiated with the other tenants and settled on 1803. Not for rent, but to purchase outright. It was currently being fast-tracked for renovation so he could move in right away. He hadn't told her because he wanted to surprise her once he moved in.

But now...

Seeing the frown on Elysia's face, Tarquin felt his heart sink, "What's wrong?"

Elysia, with her eyebrows knit tightly, questioned, "Why would you rent another place when you already have a house? Just to be closer to me and Elijah?"

"...You should cancel the lease."

Tarquin frowned, "You don't want me moving in?"

"No."

His heart sank further, "Why not?"

Elysia bit her lip, their relationship not yet defined, and she wasn't ready to expose the secrets of the children. If he moved in, Elliot and Evan's secrets could easily be revealed, complicating their lives. Unable to explain, Elysia simply stated, "I just don't want you to move in right now." Tarquin, unable to grasp her thoughts, felt a mix of frustration and disappointment, "Give me a reason."noveldrama

Elysia looked down, avoiding his gaze, "...There's no reason."

Tarquin's frustration mounted, his jaw tightening as he tugged at his tie, "And Keith? Did you ask him to move out too?"

"This is between us, Keith has nothing to do with it."

"How can he not be involved? Did he tell you about 1803? Is he the reason you don't want me moving in?!"

Aside from Keith's interference, he couldn't think of any other reason. Moving in next door meant they'd see each other more, which was a good thing, yet she was against it.

Elysia frowned upon hearing Keith's name again. True, Keith had informed her about 1803, but her decision was her own.

"Stop bringing up Keith. It has nothing to do with him not wanting you to move in."

Tarquin's expression darkened, "Then why can he live across from you, but I can't live next door?"