Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 600

"Okay, look, there's something I've got to get off my chest. I care about you, sure, because I think you're a decent person, and you've been good to Elijah. But that doesn't mean I like you romantically. At most, we're friends."

Upon hearing this, Tarquin's brief moment of good spirits evaporated instantly.

Frowning, he looked at her. "Friends?"

"Yeah, I mean, we've had our ups and downs in the past, but that's water under the bridge now. If you're open to it, we can totally be friends."

Tarquin's face darkened. "I don't want to."

Elysia was taken aback. "You don't?"

His expression was grim, his tone firm. "No, I don't."

Elysia pouted. "Fine by me! I'm not exactly dying to be your friend either!"

Hmph, look at him being all high and mighty!

Better off not being friends. That way, when she takes Elijah and leaves, she won't feel sorry for him.

Tarquin, seeing her all huffy, wanted to say something but hesitated and eventually gave up.

"Do you not like me?" he asked.

"Yeah, didn't I just say that? My care for you is just what friends feel for each other, not romantic. I don't like you that way!"

Tarquin's breathing was uneven. "Why not?"

"I just don't, okay? No reason."

"Am I really that bad in your eyes?"

"You're okay, but just because you're not bad doesn't mean I have to like you. There are plenty of decent guys out there. Love is all about chemistry."

"What if I've fallen for you?"

Elysia was shocked. "How could you possibly fall for me?!"

She truly didn't like him. Not one bit.

She wouldn't even allow him to like her...

Elysia sensed something was off and looked at him nervously. "You haven't really fallen for me, have you?"

He did. Deeply. Beyond control.

But he couldn't admit it now, hesitating before finally saying,

"No, it's not that. It's just... I don't dislike you. You're a good person, you've raised your kids well, you've been great to Elijah, you have strong values, you're kind and honest, and you approach life with positivity and optimism..."

Despite insisting he didn't like her, he inadvertently listed all her virtues.

Elysia was puzzled.

"If you think I'm so great, why won't you be my friend?"