Upstairs Bedroom

Elysia was sitting on the couch, waiting for someone, her arms folded and foot tapping on the rug.

Tarquin came in, shing his best sheepish grin. "Hey, what''s going on here?"

He made a move to sit down next to his wife-maybe snuggle up a little-but before he could even touch the cushions, Elysia shot him a look.

“Stand up straight! I have a question for you!"

Tarquin froze, obedient as a puppy.

Elysia narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed. "Be honest. Did you know that Mr. Huber and Janelle were trying to set up Winona and Keaton?"

Tarquin''s handsome eyes squinted-so it was about that, huh?

He decided honesty was the best policy. "Yeah, I knew."

Elysia huffed and kicked his shin. "You knew and you didn''t tell me?!"fnad0d ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? f?ndnovel/fnad0d

Tarquin tried to smooth things over, giving her his most charming smile. "Look, I knew Mr. Huber and Janelle had good intentions. No matter what happens, there''s no way they''d let Winona get hurt."

Elysia hesitated-she did trust Richard and Janelle''s judgment.

"Still, you should''ve told me! This is Winona''s whole future we''re talking about! If I hadn''t bumped into Jess today and she told me, I''d still be in the dark!"

"My bad, honestly." Tarquin apologized so smoothly, it was clear he''d had practice. "I should''ve told you. Totally my fault."

Elysia''s brows stayed furrowed. "Mr. Huber and Janelle are great, but Keaton? Not so much."

"He''s not a bad guy, but he''s

hopeless when ites to

rtionships! Wmona''s already been

burned once by Zane. If Keaton hurts her next, how is she supposed to pick herself up again?"  s

"Blossom and Axel, I get it. In love, whoever falls first loses. Blossom''s been chasing Axel forever. If she''s heartbroken, that''s on her. I can''t me Axel for that."

"But if Keaton leads Winona on—when she''s finally opening up again—and then just bails like he always does? What then?"

"I''m telling you, I''ve only got these two best friends. If either of them gets hurt, I''m gonna be furious! Keaton''s your buddy if he makes

Winona cry, I''ming after  s

Tarquin threw his hands up in surrender. "Don''t worry. If he actually asks Winona out, he''s in for the long haul. If he dares treat her like anyone else, kick his ass myself before I

before like

Elysia pursed her lips. "Did you talk to him about this? Does he even know what he wants? If he''s just looking for some short fling, he should leave Winona alone."

"I talked to Winona today. She only sees him as a friend right now. If Keaton feels the same, fine. But if he''s got other ideas, he needs to keep his distance!"

Tarquin nodded seriously. "I get you. I''ll talk to him, give him the full ''Don''t screw this up'' speech."

He paused, ncing at the couch. "So... can I sit down now?"

Elysia pouted. "Yeah, fine."

The second he sat, Tarquin wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Jeez, you scared me. I thought something terrible happened!"

Elysia shot him a re. "This *is* serious! Winona''s happiness is at stake!"

Seeing she was about to get worked up again, Tarquin quickly said—