Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 17

I really didn’t expect to stir up such a mess.

Seeing the hurt in Cecilia’s eyes, I quickly smoothed things over and said, “Assistant Zachary, this tea is for Ms. Irwin.”

Zachary caught on quick. After hearing me out, he pivoted on his heel and handed the coffee to Cecilia.

She gave it a glance and murmured, “I don’t do black coffee.”

Black coffee was Hogan’s thing.

I used to drink it just to go along with him, and now it’s become a habit.

Zachary slapped his forehead and said, “Look at my memory. Please don’t hold it against me, Ms. Irwin.”

Cecilia wasn’t holding a grudge, but once she got back to her office, she stayed put all afternoon.

She kept at her desk until the end of the day.

One by one, folks trickled out, leaving just the two of us in the now–empty studio.

I worked on, business as usual, until a notification bell rang in my ear.

I looked up, and who should show up but Hogan, looking like he’d just finished a marathon.

Our eyes met, and I instantly noticed the scab on his lip, which irked me a bit.

“Where’s Cecilia?” he asked, his voice making an entrance as if the kiss from last night never happened.

about perfect

a look and said, “She hasn’t

beelined it to the tech

a peep more.

later, Cecilia’s tender voice floated out, “Hogan, what brings you

and sweet, with a

a bit

voice dipped a couple of notches, “Did you come because you were worried

didn’t catch what Hogan replied, but Cecilia’s mood flipped to cheerful in

11:39

seemed to be in

then, the girl caught sight of Hogan’s lin, “Hogan, what happened to

I heard Hogan’s unflustered response, “It’s nothing,

so obedient,

office together, Cecilia heading to the restroom and

outside.

was still coding, he took a couple of steps forward and, out of the blue,

“It’s alright.”

You’re not a machine,” he said, glancing at the calendar on my desk with my

typing,

a feeling he wasn’t done

I heard the flush from the restroom, and then

when I got the gist of what Hogan wanted to

He hadn’t forgotten.

just wanted to let me know it was a

hearing him say