Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 31

I thought I heard it wrong.

But seeing Cecilia hemming and hawing, I knew Hogan’s Invite was legit.

Or was it just lip service?

I didn’t want to be a pain in the neck, so I politely declined, “Thanks for the kind offer, Mr. Zade, but I’ve got work to tackle. I’ll treat you next time.”

Hogan wouldn’t take no for an answer, “You’ve got to eat no matter how busy, right?”

His voice oddly pitched a notch higher, made me feel like I was too dumb to appreciate his goodwill.

Cecilia stood there with her head hanging low, murmuring, “Hogan, maybe Xaviera really has

her reasons.”

Look at that, his baby girl had an opinion.

I stood there, waiting to see how Hogan would handle the situation.

After a moment, he said with strained patience, “Cecilia’s been at your company for over al month now, Ms. March. She must have caused you some trouble, so I ought to give a proper

thanks.”

I immediately read between the lines of Hogan’s implication.

Turns out, he was settling a debt for Cecilia.

Cecilia caught on, too, her pale face finally breaking into a small smile, “Hogan Is so thoughtful, Xaviera, maybe you shouldn’t refuse?”

Full of sincerity.

I felt a bit miffed inside, but face–saving is still a thing.

So, I ended up hitting the restaurant with Hogan and Cecilia.

The place had class, and there was even someone tickling the Ivories in the corner. The plano music helped ease the blockage in my heart a bit.

But one thing I couldn’t figure out: in such a romantic restaurant, wouldn’t it be better for Hogan to enjoy a cozy world for two with Cecilia?

insist on bringing me

enough, I got my answer.

in like a

angry face clearly flickered with

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Cacter 31

knew I was out of

dragged me into this.

chewed on my steak. “Mr. Zade and Ms. Irwin

set of

she started with a snide tone, eyeing Cecilia

hand slipped off the fork, clashing with the plate with an

clenching the knife and fork so tightly her fingertips went white.

Pretty awkward.

cut steak and naturally swapped it with the one in

epitome of considerate.

surprised and grateful, “Hogan, I can manage it

that, she glanced

a startled

back to the first

a buffet together.

bossy as now, but her attitude wasn’t

this and that. It was the crayfish season, and just because she mentioned she liked them,

fingernails even smelled like

a “pretty clever”

the while, Hogan just sat across, silently eating, not saying a

steak for Cecilia right in

aren’t you babying her a bit too much?” Hilary couldn’t stand it. “She’s got hands, doesn’t she?

was passing

an eye,

left speechless, storm clouds gathering on her face.

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Chapter 31

their drama, I changed the subject, “Mrs. Hilary, the pan–seared

down, saw the deboned cod pieces, and smiled, “Xaviera knows best, not like some young ladies,

was like a