Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 18

I casually said, “No biggie, if Hogan is cool with tossing in another five hundred thousand, make sure even his precious girl is well taken care of,”

What was more solid than cold, hard cash, right?

I was about to hang up when, lo and behold, I spotted Hogan and Cecilia not too far away.

Talk about freaky timing.

Cecilia blinked those big beautiful eyes of hers and said in a tone of surprise, “Xaviera, you live

here too?”

Hogan and Cecilia were just a stone’s throw away.

I wasn’t sure if they caught any of my chat with Wallis,

Awkwardness washed over me, tinged with a hint of guilt.

I was worried Hogan might read my mind.

After all, no investor likes someone eyeballing their wallet all day, every day.

played it cool and said, “Been living here for a few months now.”

“Me too,” Cecilia’s voice rose and fell dramatically. “But I’ve barely seen you around.”

“My schedule’s all over the place.”

Us coders were a different breed – burning the midnight oil was business as usual, and my sleep was all messed up. Sometimes I was nocturnal, so running into someone was pure serendipity.

Kinda like today.

three of us ended up sharing an elevator ride.

and me were the

floor button, Cecilia’s face

if I hadn’t moved in before her, she’d probably tag me as some sort

not thinking things through.

did give him a

was darting all over me, finally

design?” Cecilia eyed me enviously, “It’s not even out at home yet, how’d

to the handbag

11:39

Chapter 18

it, all I thought was it felt nice, had

look, it must be a big deal.

her straight, “A friend gave it

a limited edition, only a

was the one lost for words.

had no idea it was some exclusive

scoff came at just the wrong moment.

ask Cecilia, “It’s just

dialed back the envy, “I just think

opened, I nodded slightly and walked

vaguely heard Hogan say, “Your

spot on.

about bags, but my taste in

at the logo and looked up

say well, I was shocked.

–