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.

the restaurant. I

he meant

I’ve got

up the rideshare

then said with a hint of sarcasm, “What, worried your boyfriend will get the wrong idea?”

the act.

why waste seven or eight bucks on a

a luxury car

sure enough, no sooner had I settled into the passenger seat than my

three days straight, and

1/2

11:38

Chapter 11

towards sleep.

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

was unexpectedly

a mere two seconds before

know how much time passed, but I vaguely heard the vibration of a phone and cracked

my eyes open.

saw Hogan up

was staring at me.

weren’t sharp and cold as before;

Illusion or reality?

familiar scent of soap

was eroding my senses