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?”

comment effortlessly shifted everyone’s

when Hogan, from across the way,

#

for Cecilia’s opinion.

said, “I just think this

me a quick once–over, then his eyes settled back on Cecilia’s face; saying gently, “Then give it a go.”

spoken than the eager salesperson’s face twisted with awkwardness, “I’m sorry, sir, but this coat is the pride of our

“Let’s not fuss over it,

anyway.”

of her.

at Hogan’s heartstrings because he stubbornly asked the salesperson, “Has it been

hinted

1/2

09:55

Chapter 74

mistaken, Hogan, head over heels for Cecilia, was probably trying

was at a loss for words.

would pull such an ungentlemanly

the drift, glanced at Hogan’s pricey suit and then at our more modest get–up, tentatively

the buck

up.” Darren cut in out of the blue, irritation lacing his voice. “Sorry, Hogan, but we’re taking the