Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

With a “ding.” Hogan’s glass suddenly landed on the table, making a crisp sound. I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or not.

He gave me a casual glance, grabbed his glass, tapped it on the table, and downed it in one go. Pretty decisive.

I pretended to take a sip of my juice, too.

The scene looked like everyone was having a blast, but the vibe was kinda stiff, for some

reason.

I felt like a total jerk, stirring up trouble at someone else’s birthday bash–definitely not cool.

Clueless Jack, just there for the grub, didn’t pick up on it and, loving a good show, said, “Darren, Xaviera’s laid it out for ya, aren’t you gonna respond?”

Great, now it was even more awkward.

I wished I could just vanish into thin air.

Thank goodness Darren’s got social smarts. Holding his glass, he said, “Xaviera, you’ve given me such high praise, I should definitely return the toast.”

His voice was teasing, a playful twinkle in his eye as he gave me a secret wink.

At his cue, I reluctantly raised my glass.

That warmed things up a bit.

We

were at the meal for over an hour.

+

we left the restaurant, Hogan’s car was already waiting by

and helped a tipsy Hogan

her head out the window and asked. “Xaviera, wanna

smiled and

to be a

a cheap subway ride way more appealing?

he heard I was hitting the subway, “It’s getting late,

cheeks flushed, and said, “No need.”

university’s put me up in a two–bedroom near campus, it’s on

1/3

Chapter 23

he was for real or

so out

just pulled out a key card from his

catching the subway with this

even walked me to my building.

my antics at the dinner, I seriously apologized.

great

totally

Science Department’s

both foreign and familiar, sending a

sat silently by the window, pondering my life’s many flaws,

worthy of “pride“?

dark screen

friend request from

then locked the screen and headed to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255