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.”

eyes finally settling on the big box, “Don’t tell me

sly smile, “Pretty

brought over four dishes

still had steam rising

all thanks to the thermal box,”

and bursting with flavor,” Jack praised

pushed up his glasses, gave a smile without a word, and then served

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

couldn’t help

chime went off, and curious, I looked over to

Chapter 27

comeback.

gaze swiftly swept over Darren’s face and then landed on the food on the table. With at smile,

paused for a beat, and then politely offered, “Ms. Irwin,

“I’m just

office, Darren’s

dinner, I walked Darren down, only then learning he’d taken the

said your stomach was upset, and you gottal eat food while

to make

box must have been a

I urged him, “Don’t go to

dry, so working on my cooking skills is a way to put theory into practice.”