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.

feel kinda embarrassed.

a return gift: too expensive or too cheap wouldn’t be right. Of

it seemed like I’d

slightly annoyed, hoping to get the meal over with and clear out

“Xaviera, you’re sitting

pointed to the seat next to Darren.

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

cue, all eyes, as if on cue, turned to

eight–person room, there were still two seats open, but if I stubbornly refused to go over, it

a scene and

the corner of my eye, I felt a gaze brushing past me, and when I looked up, I

11:40

utensils

made for holding a pen were now tainted with the scent

served, and after toasting the birthday star, everyone started drinking and

getting to about sixty percent full when Cecilia’s sweet voice floated over

filled with juice held respectfully, looking so well–behaved.

put extra emphasis

slight discomfort that had lingered in my chest all night suddenly spread in that second, rushing to my

was about to burst out.

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