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 that’s our dinner?”

gave a sly smile, “Pretty

over four dishes and a

still had steam rising off it.

all thanks to the

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

word, and then

rolled his eyes and in a mock–whiny voice

Darren and I couldn’t help but

chime went off, and curious, I looked over to

Chapter 27

comeback.

and then landed on the food on the table. With at smile, she said,

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

declined, “I’m just grabbing something and

issue, but as she went into her office,

Darren down, only then learning he’d taken the subway over.

jams. Jack said your stomach was upset, and

to make sure the food didn’t

thermal box must have been

bit guilty, I urged him, “Don’t

a humble demeanor, “Teaching can be dry, so working on my cooking