Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 13

The meal was so bland I could hardly taste a thing.

I was gritting my teeth, hanging out with Hilary for a quick drink.

Hogan didn’t join in; between us, we barely exchanged a few words during the entire dinner.

But his phone was buzzing non–stop.

Hogan wasn’t annoyed, though. He patiently replied to each message, a smirk occasionally crossing his lips, barely touched his food, too.

Didn’t need a crystal ball to know who was blowing up his messages.

Hilary saw it all the worry in her eyes growing by the minute. Seizing the chance when Hogan stepped out, she vented to me, “Xaviera, what’s gotten into Hogan? He’s acting like he’s possessed or something.”

I got it.

After all, the old Hogan wouldn’t dream of spending all his time texting back and forth.

Now he had changed.

After the meal, the Zade family’s driver was waiting outside the restaurant. Hilary glanced at Hogan, still buried in his messages, and instructed, “It’s late. You take Xaviera home.”

Hogan acted as if he heard nothing..

I found myself an out, “Mrs. Hilary, I’ve called a ride.”

A flicker of guilt crossed Hilary’s eyes, rare for her.

front of the restaurant. I was app when Hogan’s

looked at him, surprised, realizing he meant

Zade, but I’ve got

the

his tracks, he calmly studying my face, then said with a hint of sarcasm, “What, worried your boyfriend will

the act.

seven or eight bucks on a ride

say, the comfort of a luxury car was hard

the passenger seat than my eyelids

fumes for two or three days straight, and the alcohol was nudging

1/2

11:38

Chapter 11

towards sleep.

picked up on that and said softly. “Sleep. I’ll wake you when

was unexpectedly

seconds before sleep snatched away

I vaguely heard the vibration of a

my eyes open.

fuzziness, I saw Hogan up

was staring at me.

cold as before; they

Illusion or reality?

familiar scent of soap filled my nostrils.

was eroding my senses