Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem



"I'm not saying you can't, just... not right now. Can you give me a little more time?"

She was determined to clarify her relationship with him before bringing up the kids.

But now was definitely not the time!

They were just starting out, feeling each other out with no real commitments or even a clear admission of their attractions. The matter of her children had to remain under wraps for now.

Her kids meant the world to her; nothing would be revealed until everything was settled.

Tarquin's handsome face clouded over with frustration.

"I can give you time, but you've got to give me a reason. Why can't I move in yet?"

"I'll tell you... later."

"How long is 'later'?"

"I'm not sure."

"So, what, I'm just supposed to wait forever without any idea of where we stand?"

Elysia looked down, unable to respond.

Tarquin, his emotions getting the better of him, furrowed his brows and pressed on,noveldrama

"Elysia, do you think this is fair to me? You won't let me move in, you won't tell me why, and you won't give me a timeframe. Are you just looking for excuses to keep me at bay?!"

"No! That's not it, I just..."

"Then what is it?" Tarquin interrupted, clearly upset.

Elysia frowned, wanting to explain but not knowing where to begin.

In his frustration, Tarquin blurted out,

"Keith can stay here, but I can't. Are you worried I'd cramp your style with Keith? Am I just a backup plan to you?"

Elysia, taken aback, quickly became defensive,

"Who said you're a backup? You can't just make accusations like that!"

"If I'm not a backup, then what's going on?!"

"I told you, I don't like Keith that way. There's nothing between us, but you won't believe me..."

"How can I believe you when you're all dolled up for morning walks with him? And now you're acting all cagey about me moving in. Are you trying to see how things go with Keith before deciding about me?"

"Believe what you want! My not letting you move in has nothing to do with Keith! And I'm not treating you as a backup!"

With that, Elysia ran off, tears in her eyes.

She had her reasons, her own struggles and pains that she couldn't yet share!

Without settling the future between them, she couldn't risk revealing her children. Thus, the reason for not letting him move in remained unsaid. But it hurt that without any proof, he'd suspect Keith. She trusted him unconditionally; why couldn't he extend her the same courtesy when she couldn't provide reasons?

It was one thing to misunderstand her, but another to not even have the basic trust.

Watching her run off, Tarquin wanted to follow but held himself back. He had his pride and stance too.

He took issue with not being allowed to move in and wasn't ready to compromise.

And today's events didn't feel like affection to him; instead, he felt sidelined, and it made him furious. Dark-faced, Tarquin returned to his car.

Opening the door, he saw the thermos of breakfast he'd prepared for Elysia sitting on the passenger seat. Irritated, he tossed it in the trash and drove off.

Unless Elysia gave him a satisfactory explanation, he wasn't going to back down.