Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 10

His gaze was sharp as a tack.

I had no clue when Hogan popped up and why he was nitpicking over someone’s handbag.

Puzzled, Cecilia’s question from earlier in the studio suddenly flashed through my mind.

My guess was Hogan thought I’d switched to a new laptop.

What was his deal with old versus new, anyway?

I met Hogan’s gaze head–on and said coolly, “Isn’t that none of the investor’s business?”

Hogan’s expression froze, he took a drag on his cigarette, then stubbed it out hard and took off. Talk about a mood swing.

My bad.

Crossing the cash cow was not a smart move, I should’ve bitten my tongue.

The last thing I want was for Wallis to come back from a trip to find the place turned upside down because of me.

The next morning. I got to work as usual, and thankfully, didn’t run into Hogan downstairs.

I felt a bit relieved, but that feeling got jumbled up real quick with one delivery after another.

“Ms. Irwin, please sign for your laptop.”

“Ms. Irwin, your computer bag is here for you to sign for.”

“Ms. Irwin…”

t

delivery, it turned out to be allergy medicine.

Zade? Dang. easy on the eyes and doesn’t mind splurging, what

with barely concealed joy, blushed and closed

the corridor, uncontrollably seeping into my ears, was too close

to the office.

have, Hogan. That must’ve cost a pretty

treat you

Cecilja giggled and covered her mouth, “Hogan, you’re teasing me again.”

looked down at my notebook and

11:37

Chapter 10

really wanted, couldn’t hold a candle to

last night for review. After a moment’s thought, I knocked

walked in, Cecilia was fiddling with her new laptop.

starting at a cool

Zade sure doesn’t pinch

said, “Sorry, Xaviera, I had no Idea Hogan would

the work I gave you yesterday?”

over her face, “I’m so sorry, Xaviera, I just set up

Predictable.

can get a piece done before we clock out?”

“I’ll try

back at my desk, I

also part of our tech team. If she was going to take credit, she gotta show she’d earned

needed to be