Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1549

Elysia looked at the news on her phone, the knot of worry in her chest finally dissolving. She looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude for Old Mr. White. She knew full well he was supporting Winona so fiercely because of her. She was truly lucky. Not everyone she met in life was good, but the good ones far outnumbered the bad. Winona texted her a bunch of heart and kiss emojis. [I'll come and properly thank you both when you and Emmett get back!] Elysia smiled and replied, [I'm having dinner with Old Mr. White. See you tomorrow.] Winona quickly typed back, [Please thank Old Mr. White for me, like, a million times!] [Got it.] Winona sent another kiss sticker, then thought for a moment and called Keaton. “Thank you for the whole thing with Old Mr. White. But you don't have to pay for it. Just tell me how much the order is, and I'll transfer you the money.” “It’s my treat,” Keaton said. “The money has already been transferred to him. I told you I’d handle the aftermath for you.” Just as Winona was about to say something else, Keaton asked, “Are you free tonight?” Winona replied, “Do you need something?” Keaton said, “Come home with me for a bit. Come help me run interference with my parents. And while we're there, we can grab some wine. I just got dumped, I'm in a bad mood. You can have a few drinks with me tonight.” Winona was speechless for a second. Going to his house wasn't a problem. Even if Keaton hadn't asked, she was planning on visiting Janelle and Richard. They cared a lot about her; today's incident had nearly made Janelle faint from anger. But the breakup... “You really broke up?” Winona asked, curious. Keaton let out a long sigh. “She announced it on a live stream. What am I supposed to do, pretend we're still together?” Winona narrowed her eyes. “Why was she willing to break up with you? Playing hard to get?” “Yep.” Keaton was no fool either. He could see right through Shifra’s little games. Winona paused. “Really? That trick might have worked when you were still in the flirting stage, but you've been together for a few days now. Does it still work?” It was common knowledge that Keaton was a player. His interest in a girl usually only lasted a few days. Normally, his infatuation with Shifra should have been fading by now. What was the point of playing hard to get to hook him again? But Keaton said, “It works. I won't be able to forget her right away. When I can’t stand it anymore, I’ll go looking for her.” “You’re planning to chase her again?” Winona asked in surprise. “No way,” Keaton said immediately. “I don't do reruns. I know exactly what she’s playing at, and there’s no way I’m going back for seconds. It’s over. I’m a straightforward guy. It’s over.” This made Winona even more curious. “A straightforward guy who can’t forget her right away? Did you actually have real feelings for her?” “No, I… ugh, let’s talk about it in detail later. Send me your location, I’ll come pick you up now. First, help me calm my parents down, then we can find a place to drink. We’re not going home sober.” Winona decided to put the money issue aside for now. “…Fine!” After hanging up, Winona went to touch up her makeup. Blossom leaned against the bathroom doorway. “You’re going out?” “Yeah, Keaton asked me to go to his place as backup, to see his parents.” “Mr. and Mrs. Huber have always been really good to you,” Blossom said. “It’s right to go see them. Did you find out about the Shifra breakup thing?” “Keaton said Shifra was playing hard to get.” “What? Ha! Does she not know how fickle Keaton is? That works during the flirting stage, but now? Does she really think that’ll work?” “Keaton said it will.” Blossom’s eyes widened. Just as she was about to complain, Winona added, “But Keaton also said he doesn’t go back to his exes. He’s not going to chase her again. They’re done.” Blossom pressed her lips together. “If he went crawling back to Shifra, I’d have to call them a match made in hell.” “Winona, what’s really going on with you and Keaton? Why does every single one of his girlfriends end up dragging you into it?”,