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.

openness,

a joke, with a

Mr. Zade?” 1 asked

let out a scoff and quickly walked

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

unexpectedly got a call from a heating guy wanting to schedule a time to

I confirmed with the guy several times. Then, it hit me–I

“Rivertown’s too

for the radiators had already been paid–and it wasn’t cheap.

you are really splashing out,” I carefully phrased my response. “Our heating’s not that bad,

Chapter 71

be more comfortable at work. Why

was worried

had to show some tact. “Then, on

hanging up, I let out a sigh, but when

1. me.

met, and the questions in the young girl’s eyes

you on the phone

nodded, and her frown deepened.

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

stayed silent, waiting for her to