Keaton was restless and uneasy. "I think it sounds like Winona is sick, maybe she''s dealing with some privatedy issues, don''t you think?"


    Tarquin said, "I don''t get that feeling."


    Elysia''s sudden decision to stay was definitely because of Winona, but he couldn''t guess the specific reason.


    Keaton scratched his head. "If she''s really sick, she needs to get treated right away! "We can''t dy!"


    "But how could she be sick? Look how healthy she looks. She can eat and sleep just fine."


    "You don''t think she actually went out and found some random boy toy and picked something up?"


    "No way. She''s not an idiot. She wouldn''t just sleep with anyone. He''d have to be healthy, at least!"


    "And if she really had some major illness, Elysia would have woken her up and taken her for a check-up immediately!"


    "Then what the hell is wrong with her?"


    Keaton was clucking like an old biddy.


    Tarquin narrowed his eyes, watching him suspiciously. When Keaton finally finished,


    he asked, "Are you falling for Winona?"


    Keaton froze. "No! Don''t be ridiculous!"


    Tarquin stared at him, skeptical. "..."


    "We were drunk that night, and yeah, we slept together, but it was an ident," Keaton said.


    "You seem pretty concerned about her," Tarquin observed.


    "She''s Elysia''s best friend, and my parents absolutely adore her. I slept with her, you think I''m not terrified?"


    Tarquin rified, "I''m not talking about being scared. I''m talking about being concerned."


    Being scared


    was


    normal. After all, Winona had a powerful support system. Janelle and Richard alone would have his head on a tter. But being concerned about her?. that had nothing to do with sleeping with her. Why would he be concerned What could be besides romantic feelings?


    Keaton exined, "I do like her, but I''m not talking about love. Winona and I are on the same wavelength we''ve both been burned by love We''re good friends who''ve been through it all. Add the fact that we slept together, and of course I''m concerned."


    Tarquin narrowed his eyes. "So you''re sure you haven''t fallen for her?"


    Keaton was definite. "Of course not. If I was falling for her, don''t you think I''d know?!"


    Tarquin let out a breath. "Winona''s a special case. You really can''t mess with her. If you did, your parents


    would never forgive you, and nimet


    would Elysia. and I''ll always choose Elysia. If she says you''re dead to us, you''re dead. I''ll even help her bury the body. So if you mess with Winona, you''re messing with the four of us. Plus Elliot, Evan, Emmett, Elijah, Baby, and Old Mr. White. You might not care about her fans, but you''d definitely care about us. Go after her, and you''ll lose everyone."


    Keaton sighed. "...I know. That''s why I told Elysia earlier. I know she''s not like the other girls I''ve been with. I would never mess with her."


    Tarquin''s tone shifted. "Of course, if you really have fallen for her, and if you canmit to pursuing her with your whole heart and never letting her down for the rest of your life, then I''ll support you. I''ll even put in a good word for you."


    Without a second thought, Keaton shook his head. "I don''t have feelings for her, and she doesn''t have feelings for me."


    Tarquin said, "...If there''s nothing there at all, then keep your distance. Don''t do anything to hurt her, or the consequences will be severe."


    "I know."


    Tarquin considered asking about Beatrix but figured Keaton was just as lost as he was, so he dropped it. They could talk after the paternity test results came in.


    When they came out of the bathroom, Elysia was sitting on the sofa, watching Winona. Her brow was knitted in worry.


    Keaton couldn''t help but frown, his heart sinking. He was truly starting to believe Winona was sick.


    Elysia suddenly turned her head. "Tarquin, Those heels are going to kill Winona''s feet. Can you go buy her afortable pair of sneakers? Size 7.5. Don''t get heels, get somethingfortable, like sneakers."


    Tarquin just looked at her. "..."


    ...


    Winona slept for a long time, not waking up until early evening. She yawned and stretched, her eyes fluttering open to see Elysia.


    "Elysia? Did I fall asleep?"