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

too cheap wouldn’t be right. Of course, I

painting it this way, it seemed

hoping to get the

came, “Xaviera,

the seat next to

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

like that, with his cue, all eyes, as if on cue, turned

two seats open, but if I stubbornly refused to go over, it would be a bit of a slap

scene and quietly took my

gaze brushing past me, and

11:40

utensils for Cecilia.

made for holding a pen were now tainted

were served, and after toasting the birthday star, everyone started drinking and chatting.

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

her glass filled with juice held respectfully, looking

put extra emphasis on “both.”

discomfort that had lingered in my chest all night suddenly spread in

about to burst

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