Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 55

Wallis had ribbed me before for being a bit too serious.

So I decided to play it cool and said with a smile. “Alright, then I won’t hold back.”

“Professor Yearwood, Xaviera,” a soft, out–of–place voice chimed in. “What a coincidence.”

I turned and instantly spotted Hogan and Cecilia not far away.

Hogan, clutching a stack of research books, stood quietly beside Cecilia, gazing in our direction.

His eyes were deep and mysterious.

A subtle smirk, almost imperceptible, played on his lips.

Cecilia had come to the bookstore hunting for some gaming programming material.

And, needless to say, Hogan was tagging along with his sweetheart to level up.

They’d been browsing the bookstore for a while but hadn’t found the game backend construction guide on their shopping list and were getting antsy.

“Professor Yearwood, are you here to help Xaviera pick books too?” Cecilia fluttered her big eyes at Darren, “Detective novels, huh?”

Darren scratched his head and said, “Just bumped into each other.”

beam of scrutiny from across the way; lifting my eyes, it was

gazes clashed; I played it cool, looked away, and pointed at the

clueless, “What?”

you’re

where I was pointing, and moments

smiled and kept mum.

the university town for a good seven or eight years. Hogan and I used to hit this place up all the time during college: I had scoped out the programming

thanks a bunch. How about this, let us treat you and Professor Yearwood to a meal?”

was in for a free dinner, should I

my drift and politely declined. “Ms. Irwin, you’re too

Chapter 55

like she didn’t get the hint, suggested,

was really pushing it.

spot. Hogan knew it better than

and asked, “What do you think, Mr.

let’s go.” Cecilia pouted, tugging at Hogan’s sleeve, “I

like he couldn’t bear to

I chimed in cheerfully, “Cool, then let’s go

four of us showed up

well–liked, so it was no surprise students came over to say hi. Plus, Hogan, decked. out in a suit, looking like a walking bjd,

one bit, even seemed a tad proud, giggling with the menu,