Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 39

When she heard my response, Cecilia’s expression clearly froze for a sec.

She couldn’t squeeze out a word for the longest time.

Then Hogan couldn’t stand it anymore, gave me a quick look and said to her, “Just be yourself. no need to copy anyone.”

When Hogan said “anyone,” his piercing gaze landed right on my face.

Talk about beating around the bush.

Cecilia looked at him, all surprised and fluttery eyelashes.

Guess she was touched.

I didn’t want to waste my time watching this soap opera unfold, so I said “Excuse me,” turned on my heel and left.

Turned out I actually found that dry cleaner Cecilia mentioned.

At three in the afternoon, the owner of the dry cleaners gave me a ring, saying my suit was ready.

I thought about it for a moment and dialed Darren’s number.

Soon after, the call connected, and I heard Darren ask in a hushed voice. “Xaviera, what’s up?”

pretty

not have been great. I said, with a hint of apology.

decisively, “How about after six?”

“Works for me.”

time, and there I was,

filled with memories of Hogan and my youth, I felt like a lifetime ago.

building. Darren approached me in a light brown

suit, asking.

eyes at me. “Got your head stuck in

didn’t feel right to just take off, so I

contentedly. “Wouldn’t say no to

thought, Darren took me to the student cafeteria to the spaghetti

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

was a

during my college days–cheap and filling, but how

we sat down, Darren also got me an extra cup

save

me some disposable cutlery and said, “Not really, just been craving this

he reminded me, “Finish your spaghetti,

exercises with the discipline

me, puzzled, and explained, “Just remembered how you used

finished, Darren ficked my forehead gently with his