Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 74

Running into Cecilia again didn’t exactly knock my socks off.

But I sure as hell didn’t expect to see Hogan and Hilary tagging along.

In my book. Hogan was the last guy you’d catch dead at a shopping mall, let alone playing the tame sidekick, lugging bags for the ladies.

It was out of left field but somehow made sense.

Well, since our paths crossed, I couldn’t dodge saying hi to the trio without coming off as a total jerk.

Though I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.

Hilary threw an extra glance at Darren and my uncle standing next to me and clicked, “So when you said you had plans, it was with Professor Yearwood, huh?”

I could hear a hint of sour grapes in her voice.

Only then did I remember her asking me out over the phone last night.

Looks like she got the wrong end of the stick.

Before I could clear the air, Cecilia chimed in with her sugary voice, “Mrs. Hilary, look at Xaviera in this new coat. Doesn’t it just make her look more elegant and poised?”

effortlessly shifted everyone’s gaze onto me.

saga when Hogan, from

#

was fishing for Cecilia’s opinion.

and she said, “I just think this vintage old–money vibe is really classy, understated yet comfy. It’s a rare find.”

settled back

sir, but this coat is the pride of our store, and it’s the only

not fuss over it,

anyway.”

considerate of

kind–hearted gesture probably tugged at Hogan’s heartstrings because he stubbornly asked the salesperson, “Has it been paid for?”

hinted at something else to me.

1/2

09:55

Chapter 74

head over heels for Cecilia, was probably trying to muscle in on

a loss for words.

pull such

Hogan’s pricey suit and then at our more modest get–up, tentatively asked me. “What do you think, miss?”

passing the buck to

the blue, irritation lacing his voice. “Sorry, Hogan, but we’re