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.

squarely and said with openness, “Go ahead, before Director

me as if I’d cracked a joke, with a storm brewing

good. Mr. Zade?” 1

scoff and quickly

state, with only the

heating guy wanting to schedule a time to install some radiators.

confirmed with the guy several times. Then, it hit me–I remembered last night and immediately

end, his voice was calm, “Rivertown’s too cold. I don’t want anything delaying the

the bill for the radiators had already been paid–and it

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

Chapter 71

comfortable at work.

was it, he was worried about Cecilia getting cold.

tact.

let out a sigh, but when

1. me.

and the questions in the

started the conversation, “Xaviera, were you on the phone with Hogan?”

her

“Hogan must have asked you for quite a few favors to keep me and Mrs.

for