Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 71

But let me tell you, that was just Hogan’s lame excuse. What he really wanted was a tangled mess of us in the dead of night.

Just like this moment, it was dangerous and yet, oh so captivating.

A sudden ring from my phone snapped me back to reality, with “Cecilia” spelled out crystal clear on the caller ID.

It hit me like a sledgehammer, dragging me back into the here and now.

“Mr. Zade, you’ve got a call from Director Irwin,” I gave Hogan the heads–up.

At the mention of Cecilia, Hogan’s tight embrace finally eased up a bit.

The overhead light bulb chose that exact second to blaze on, its glaring brightness as if it could burn away all the secrets and shame hidden in the night.

Cecilia’s soft sobs leaked through the phone. “Hogan, I’m feeling really down. Can you come pick me up?”

Hogan massaged his temples and after a short pause said, “Send me the address.

The call ended and the man stood there, hesitating, as if he had more to say but couldn’t spit it

out.

his gaze squarely and said with openness, “Go

I’d cracked a joke, with a storm brewing

Zade?” 1 asked coolly.

a scoff and quickly

night returned to its peaceful state, with only the breeze outside teasing the soon–to–wither branches.

got a call from a heating guy wanting to schedule a time to install some

times. Then, it hit me–I

the other end, his voice was calm, “Rivertown’s too cold.

told me the bill for the radiators had

are really splashing out,” I carefully phrased my response. “Our heating’s

Chapter 71

at work. Why the

was

to show some tact. “Then, on

sigh, but when I turned around, there

1. me.

in the young girl’s eyes were loud and

started the conversation, “Xaviera, were you on the phone with

her

she fiddled with her mug, “Hogan must have asked you for quite a few

silent, waiting for