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 was app when Hogan’s deep voice reached my ears, “Let’s go.”

surprised, realizing he meant to

Mr. Zade, but I’ve got a

up the rideshare

a hint of

dropped the

seven or eight bucks on a ride if I could

to say, the comfort of a

enough, no sooner had I settled into the passenger

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

1/2

11:38

Chapter 11

towards sleep.

Hogan picked up on that and said softly. “Sleep.

voice was unexpectedly kind.

seconds before sleep snatched away my willpower.

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

my eyes open.

saw Hogan up close.

staring at

and cold as before; they were tender

Illusion or reality?

soap filled my nostrils.

my