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.

of us ended up sharing an elevator ride.

Cecilia and me

pressed my floor button, Cecilia’s face froze

moved in before her, she’d probably tag me as

for not thinking

him

was darting all over me, finally landing on my

“It’s not

referring to the handbag

11:39

Chapter 18

thought was it felt nice, had no clue

Cecilia’s look, it must

told her straight, “A friend gave it to

and teased. “Your friend sure went all out. That bag’s a limited edition,

one lost for words.

had no idea it was some exclusive limited

came at just the wrong moment.

him ask Cecilia, “It’s just a bag,

it’s not that,” Cecilia dialed back the envy, “I just think Xaviera has

nodded slightly

vaguely heard Hogan say, “Your

spot

bags, but

a peek at the logo and looked up the price

say

–