Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 27

I know my own body like the back of my hand.

After sleeping on it. I woke up the next morning without that burning pain, but I didn’t let my guard down. Back at the office, I made sure to pop some stomach meds, no funny business

there.

As the investor, Hogan was all heartache over his precious girl, and I was all about babying the project. After all, we were counting on this game to make us a pretty penny, so I gotta keep myself in tip–top shape.

However, eagle–eyed Jack caught me red–handed taking my stomach medicine and, with a sheepish look, he said, “Xaviera, it’s on me, I shouldn’t have left you to work late alone.”

So, after seven in the evening, he didn’t take off either.

I felt pretty touched by that and suggested we treat ourselves tonight, but Jack nixed the idea, “No, dinner’s on its way.”

I thought Jack had called for takeout, but in no time, I saw Darren bustle in with a big, square

box.

His glasses fogged up, he looked all rushed and flustered.

I gave him a puzzled look and asked, “What brings Darren here?”

“Come on, Darren, you’re dragging your feet. Xaviera and I are starving here.”

between Jack and Darren, eyes finally settling on the big box, “Don’t tell me that’s our

sly

actually brought over four

had

the thermal box,”

The soup’s rich and bursting with flavor,” Jack praised after a sip of the rib soup, “The

glasses, gave a smile without a word, and then served

a mock–whiny voice said, “Darren, I want some too.”

and I couldn’t help but

I looked

Chapter 27

comeback.

on the table. With at smile, she said, “Mr. Yearwood, are you here to deliver dinner for Xaviera,

and then politely offered, “Ms. Irwin, have you eaten? If you don’t mind, join us?”

declined, “I’m just grabbing something and

office, Darren’s expression momentarily stiffened, and his look at me grew

down, only then learning he’d

said your stomach was upset, and you gottal eat food while it’s hot.”

just to make sure the

must have

a bit guilty, I urged him, “Don’t go to all that trouble next time.”

dry, so