Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1478

Elysia couldn’t help but ask, “What if Axel’s attitude towards you never changes?” Blossom’s face fell instantly. “What can I do? If he doesn’t like me, I can't force him to. And it’s not like I can pull a 'if I can't have you, no one can move. I'll just have to be miserable by myself.” Just hearing her say it made Elysia’s heart ache. “I hope it never comes to that. But if it does, Winona and I will be right there to cry with you.” “Deal. I’m definitely dragging you two in.” After a moment, Blossom suddenly leaned in close to Elysia’s ear, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “So, that birthday surprise you got for Mr. Bradford… did he like it?” A blush crept up Elysia’s face as she pursed her lips and stared at her friend, saying nothing. “Don’t be shy,” Blossom whispered. “I just want to know if it was effective. If it was, I’m going to use the same trick to seduce Axel when he gets back.” Elysia’s eyes widened. “?!” Blossom looked completely serious.

“Winona was right. Desperate times call for desperate measures. To win the heart of a man like that, I’ve got to lay it all on the line!” Elysia was at a loss for words, unsure whether to encourage or dissuade her.

If Axel were a player, she would have immediately shut the idea down. But Axel wasn’t like that. If they crossed that line, he wouldn't take it lightly—he’d either put a stop to it before it started, or he’d be all in.

Just as Elysia was struggling for a response, Winona walked over. She flopped onto the sofa, downed half a glass of red wine, and let out a long breath. “God, I am exhausted. My hand is about to fall off from signing so many autographs.” “One for each person? How did it take so long?” Elysia asked. Winona dabbed at the corner of her mouth and glanced towards a young woman on the phone in the corner. “She had me sign over a hundred for her.” Elysia was shocked. “What does she need that many for?” “She said all her friends and family are huge fans and she wanted to give them out as gifts.” “She’s got some nerve!” Elysia exclaimed. Blossom chimed in, “We don’t even know her, we just met tonight! How could she ask for that? And Winona, you’re too nice!” “I was doing Keaton a favor,” Winona said with a sigh. Elysia’s eyes widened. “She came with Keaton?” “Yep. I’m guessing she’ll be upgraded to girlfriend status in a few days. I saw them making eyes at each other all night. And the fact that she’s even in this room means she’s not insignificant in Mr. Huber's eyes.” Hearing this gave Elysia a headache. She was so tired of hearing about Keaton’s romantic exploits that she couldn’t even be bothered to complain anymore. She seriously wondered if Keaton was actually Richard and Janelle’s son. Richard and Janelle were perfectly normal people! Looking back through the Huber family tree, there wasn’t a single person as promiscuous as him. If Winona had a crush on him and wanted to use her charms to win him over, Elysia would have jumped in to stop her. Keaton was nothing like Axel! Still, Elysia couldn’t resist grumbling, “I really don’t know what he’s going to do if he ever actually falls in love with a girl. He’s so promiscuous.” “He doesn’t believe in marriage,” Winona said. “He’s not planning on settling down. He’s all about the physical, not the emotional.” Elysia pursed her lips. “He can’t control life like that. What if he meets his soulmate and wants to get married? What girl would dare marry him?” Winona shrugged. “If he really meets ‘the one,’ then he’s just out of luck. He could get on his knees and cry his heart out, move heaven and earth, and it still might not be enough to win her over.” “With his extensive dating history? Forget a girl looking to settle down—even someone with my baggage would find him repulsive.” Friends? Fine. Dating? He can take a hike. Marriage? Get lost.”