Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1601

Elysia was completely lost. "What do you mean, 'something fishy'?"

Tarquin explained, "Keaton's been a wreck lately. He's drunk all the time, just totally out of it."

"What does him being a wreck have to do with Winona?" Elysia countered. "Maybe he's just stressed about how to handle this whole 'pregnancy' rumor."

Tarquin shook his head. "I don't think so. From what I hear, the night before Winona flew out of the country, she spent the night at Keaton's. And when she left the next morning, she was wearing his clothes."

"Winona's sudden trip abroad might be to get away from Keaton."

"And Keaton's been on edge lately, probably because of Winona."

Elysia processed this, her eyes widening. "Are you suggesting Winona and Keaton slept together?"

Tarquin nodded honestly. "Yeah."

Elysia gasped in sheer disbelief. "But Winona doesn't even like Keaton, and he doesn't like her! How could they possibly hook up?"

So, he suspected something was up. But it was just a suspicion. Since neither Keaton nor Winona had said anything, it was clearly a private matter they didn't want to publicize, which is why he hadn't told Elysia. He only brought it up now to distract her.

And it worked. Just moments ago, her mind had been racing, worrying that something terrible had happened to Elliot and Evan. Now, all she could think about was Winona and Keaton. Good grief, if they really did sleep together, how would they ever face each other again? Elysia’s heart went out to her friend; she knew all too well how much Winona must be struggling. Elysia couldn't spare a thought for Keaton; her mind was entirely on Winona. If Winona left to get away from Keaton, she must be miserable and overwhelmed. The thought of Winona being unhappy made Elysia unhappy too. She frowned, glaring at Tarquin.

Tarquin got the message and, with his self-preservation instincts kicking in, immediately declared, "Don't worry. Winona is your best friend. If something unpleasant really did happen between her and Keaton, I'm on Team Winona all the way."

Seeing his cooperative attitude, Elysia's expression softened. She was about to say something when her phone rang. It was Winona, her voice frantic. "Elysia..."