Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1669

Tarquin silently took a drag from his cigarette. As long as it wasn't because of another woman, there was still a chance. Otherwise, things between him and Winona would be even more difficult.

After a moment, Tarquin asked, "When you first heard Beatrix say she was pregnant with your child, what was your first reaction?"

Keaton let out a heavy breath. "I was surprised. Shocked, actually. I thought it was really mine."

Tarquin watched him. "Did you consider letting her keep the baby?"

Keaton shook his head without a second thought. "No. If it was really mine, I would have told her to get an abortion."

Tarquin stared at him.

Keaton took a drag from his cigarette and explained, "That child was just a tool for Beatrix to use. She didn't love it. And since I didn't even like the mother, the chances of me loving the child were slim to none. Think about it, if its own parents don't love it, how could it ever be happy? If you can't guarantee a child will be born into a world where it's loved enough, what's the point of bringing it into the world? Just to let it suffer?"

"...What if a different woman was pregnant with your child?" Tarquin pressed. "Would you let her keep it?"

Keaton looked at him, confused. "?"

Tarquin decided to be direct. "Let's say, Winona. If Winona was pregnant with your child, what would you do? Tell her to get an abortion or to keep it?"

"...I've never thought about that," Keaton admitted.

"Then think about it now."

Keaton actually did think for a moment, but his answer was evasive. "I don't like to get lost in what-ifs."

It was an answer that answered nothing.

Tarquin fell silent. He wanted to just tell Keaton the truth, but it didn't feel like the right time. For one, he didn't know what Winona wanted. And two, Keaton was stuck in this 'no relationships' mindset. If Keaton found out now, he might impulsively rush to Winona and tell her to terminate the pregnancy, destroying any chance of a different outcome.

"Will do. See ya."

Tarquin got to the door but couldn't stop himself from turning back for one last comment. "Think carefully about your future. And think about you and Winona. If you have even the slightest feeling for her, you should go after her now. Don't wait until someone else snatches her up and you end up regretting it."

Keaton was left speechless. Tarquin had been acting like a full-on matchmaker, constantly pushing him and Winona together. This wasn't like Tarquin at all. Besides, he and Winona had known each other for ages. Why was Tarquin only starting this push now?

Could it be…

Did Winona just realize she had feelings for him today, and then asked Tarquin to come sound him out and act as her advocate?

Keaton was stunned, shocked by his own thought. Winona... likes him? Seriously?

Leaning against the headboard, Keaton's mind raced, a dazed look on his face. He considered every angle and possibility, but the one thing that never even crossed his mind was pregnancy. He would never, in a million years, have imagined it. He had long ago made peace with the fact that he—and by extension, the Huber family line—would end with him.