Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 606

Keaton couldn't help but bring it up, "You know, it really depends on who you're with and the situation. Between lovers, it's kinda spicy - adds a bit of flavor. But if there's no love, and the lady's not into it, then it's just being a creep!"

Tarquin just stared blankly for a moment.

Keaton, with a mischievous glint in his eye, teased, "You didn't try to pull a fast one on Elysia, did you?"

Tarquin's face turned sour immediately, "Of course not!"

With a chuckle, Keaton continued, “If you really want to charm Elysia, just flex those biceps, show off the six-pack, maybe a little bit of those killer quads – that should do it. Go full monty, and you're asking for a smackdown.”

Tarquin pressed his lips together, choosing to ignore the comment.

As they continued their walk down the hallway, Keaton couldn't resist jabbing one more time before leaving, “Don’t forget about our bet, man. You owe me a public display of affection with Elysia – a three-minute kiss, no less! Once Elijah’s out of the hospital, you better pay up.”

Tarquin just shook his head. The mere thought of kissing Elysia was enough to know he'd be welcoming a slap. It wasn’t the slap he feared, but the thought of her being angry at him that did.

He didn’t want to lose face in front of his friend, nor did he want to upset Elysia. He needed to think this through carefully.

Taking a drag from his cigarette, he pondered - Elysia loved money, but what else? Keaton’s bunch of roses came to mind, and it irked him. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Lowell, “Buy out a flower shop!”

Just as he finished his instructions, Elliot appeared.

Tarquin quickly snuffed out his cigarette, his tone softening, “What are you doing here?”

“Just wanted to talk.”

Elliot, looking all too serious for his age, stared up at him, “Mom’s the most important person to us. I don’t mind you chasing after her, but let me lay it out straight – you can’t force her to like you, can’t make her anxious, and definitely can’t annoy her. If it doesn’t work out, don’t you dare take it out on her.”

Hearing about the mysterious person made Tarquin frown. His mind had been so preoccupied with Elysia that he had even delegated the task of checking on the Bradford family's move to Lowell.

He had also set people on finding out about the mystery person, but to no avail.

“Got any leads on him?” Tarquin asked.

Elliot shook his head, “Nothing.”

This person was proving to be alarmingly elusive. So far, they couldn’t even be sure if they had ever met his real identity.

Considering he had arranged for a decoy, there could very well be more than one.

Who knew if the ones they had met or who had contacted Gideon were just stand-ins?