Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 9

“Hogan, talk about a coincidence.” Hilary stuttered while kicking off the conversation, “Xaviera’s back in Rivertown, and she’s got herself a boyfriend.”

Elders sure know how to hit the nail on the head.

But this topic didn’t tickle Hogan’s fancy. He just glanced indifferently at his watch and reminded her, “The auction’s about to start.”

“Shoot, almost forgot why we’re here.” Hilary said enthusiastically, grabbing my hand, “Xaviera, let’s do lunch sometime soon, and bring your boyfriend along so I can give him the once–over.”

Just polite chit–chat. I didn’t take it to heart, just nodded along to play nice.

But Hilary

ry seemed to feel that wasn’t enough, shooting Hogan a look and saying, “Come on, say

something, will you?”

Hogan let out a cold snort, “You two close or something?”

The temperature in the room dropped to freezing in an instant.

But Hogan was right, without him, Hilary and I were like two ships passing in the night.

I found my own way out, “Mrs. Hilary, Mr. Zade, I’ve got to run.”

It took me a moment to muster that line.

now it was time to

asking, “Why does Xaviera call you

of probing

my throbbing temples and silently headed to the home appliances

an air purifier. The vendor was decent

I passed the third–floor food court in the elevator, a lively crowd headed my

black collared jacket over a white tee, dark casual pants, and sporting silver–rimmed glasses,

he didn’t join a big company after college but stayed on

was not mistaken, those tagging along were probably his students.

had always been

whether to say hi when Darren

smiling,

11:37

Chapter 9

young companions followed suit, their curious eyes on me. One of them joked, “Professor. Yearwood,

it out.” he said with his usual humility, “She’s Xaviera, my former classmate. Technically, she’s your senior.”

youngsters straightened up and chorused, “Hello, Xaviera!”

were

we hit the ground floor, the bunch scattered like they’d planned it, not before

been

parking lot together, and I called him

I wasn’t getting

I said truthfully, not wanting to burden him, “I’ve called for a

the car but now holding a beige plaid business