Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem

Chapter 28

She hastily released Tarquin’s arm with a sheepish grin, her cheeks flushed with

embarrassment. “Thanks,” she muttered, digging into her pocket to shove a wad of bills into his hand before bolting away.

The click–clack of her high heels echoed, fading into the distance until swallowed by the pulsing beats of the bar’s jukebox.

Tarquin watched her disappear, his brow furrowed in confusion and a hint of something else. It had been six years since he’d been this close to a woman.

The rush of familiar warmth came flooding back, unbidden, reminding him of that night so long ago. Her lips had been just as soft…

That was why he hadn’t pushed her away immediately.

Noticing Tarquin’s distress, Gage broke free from Lowell’s grip and circled back.

“Tarquin, that was… You know her?” he inquired, a note of surprise in his voice.

Tarquin glanced down at the cash in his hand–two crisp hundred–dollar bills and a fifty–and scowled.

Without a word, he shoved the money at Lowell and stalked off to the private booth, ignoring Gage’s query.

Elysia’s way of sealing his

silence for $250–wasn’t that too cheap

Instead, he grabbed Lowell’s arm and asked, “Tarquin knows that bartender?”

the cash.

dare to kiss Tarquin? And how could he let her? Tarquin’s supposed to

himself with Nola’s, retorted, “Gage, you should know the real score between Tarquin and Ms. Slater. Some things are better left unsaid. Wouldn’t want to upset Tarquin. Bad for you, Ms. Slater, and the whole Slater

a cordial tip of his hat, Lowell excused himself from Gage’s grasp

darkened. Ignoring his own discomfort, he whipped

A big one! Tarquin

ber 28

atmosphere buzzed with chatter and

the crowd rose to greet him. “Hey, Tarquin!”

He made a beeline for the central seat,

got you down? You finally decide to

mind was elsewhere, troubled by the memory of Elysia’s kiss. He dodged the question, instead asking, “How’s Corbin doing?”

Keaton’s nephew, was still in the

when I visited this afternoon. My sister said he had an episode today and ran into traffic in a fit. Lucky for us, a knowledgeable young

flicked ash from his cigarette.