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.

me and Hogan left in front of the restaurant. I was app when

looked at him, surprised, realizing he meant to

but I’ve got a ride.”

the rideshare

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

dropped the

eight bucks on a ride

a luxury car

passenger seat than my eyelids

or three days straight,

1/2

11:38

Chapter 11

towards sleep.

Hogan picked up on that and said softly. “Sleep. I’ll

was

two seconds

I vaguely heard the vibration of a phone and

my eyes open.

saw

staring at me.

familiar eyes weren’t sharp and cold as before; they were

Illusion or reality?

of soap filled

crisp fragrance was eroding my senses in this