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.

made me feel

or too cheap wouldn’t be right. Of course, I had to pick carefully.

it

the meal over with

then, Jack’s reminder came, “Xaviera,

to the seat next

buddy of Darren’s, didn’t know the backstory between Hogan

cue, all eyes, as if on

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

and quietly

a gaze brushing past

11:40

cleaning utensils

long fingers I thought were only made for holding a pen were now tainted with the scent of everyday life, all because

were served, and after toasting the birthday star, everyone

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

actually stood up, her glass filled with juice held respectfully, looking so

extra

my chest all night suddenly spread in that second, rushing to my head.

to

it and spoke calmly, “Ms. Irwin, you are mistaken. Xaviera