Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 22

Hogan and Cecilia’s private room was right next door.

Talk about a crazy coincidence.

“It’s fate.” Darren said with his usual chill vibe, his voice gentle. “Hogan, mind if we have a drink. together?”

Hogan’s response came cool and distant, “Is that appropriate?”

There wasn’t any emotion in his voice.

Darren joked half–seriously, “Mr. Zade, are you giving me the cold shoulder?”

After that, he called them over to sit down.

The head of the table.

Cecilia had just taken her seat when her eyes suddenly landed on Darren’s camera bag. She exclaimed in surprise. “Wow, the camera bag Xaviera was so choosy about turned out to be a gift for Mr. Yearwood.”

Darren paused. “Choosy?”

Cecilia, ever the social butterfly, said in her sweet, soft voice, “Yeah, in the middle of broad daylight, Xaviera ran off to the mall. The sales lady said she took ages to decide.”

After Darren heard this, he glanced my way, a twinkle in his eye.

me feel kinda

it was a return gift: too expensive or too cheap wouldn’t be right. Of course, I had to pick

it seemed like I’d gone to great

the meal over with and clear out early.

Jack’s reminder came, “Xaviera,

earnestly pointed to the seat

old middle school buddy of Darren’s, didn’t know the backstory

his cue, all eyes, as

room, there were still two seats open, but if I stubbornly refused

and quietly

brushing past me,

11:40

utensils

holding a pen were now tainted with

and drinks were served, and after toasting the birthday star, everyone started

getting to about sixty percent full when Cecilia’s sweet voice floated over from two guys away, “Xaviera, Mr. Yearwood, thanks to

stood up, her glass filled with

extra emphasis on “both.”

all night suddenly spread in

about to burst

on it and spoke calmly, “Ms. Irwin, you are mistaken. Xaviera and I are just friends, but I appreciate