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

of my call might not have been great. I said, with

answered decisively, “How about after six?”

“Works for me.”

and there I was, carrying the

this place, filled with memories of Hogan

the academic building. Darren approached me in a light brown

him the suit, asking. “Didn’t interrupt your work, did

your head stuck in coding?

right to just take off, so I offered, “Well, Darren, let me treat you to

smiled contentedly. “Wouldn’t say

took me to the student

12:20:

“Ketchup spaghetti?”

was a

my college days–cheap and filling, but how did Darren know?

me

to save me some

and said, “Not really, just been craving this

say anything, he reminded me, “Finish your spaghetti, and

in college, herding us all to do morning exercises with the discipline book, dubbed ‘Nanny Darren by the students, and I couldn’t help but

“Just remembered how you used to take care of everyone back in the day, Darren

Darren ficked my forehead gently with his finger, “Xaviera,