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 gaze onto me.

Hogan, from across the way,

#

fishing for Cecilia’s opinion.

a once–over on me and she said, “I just think this vintage old–money vibe is really classy,

eyes settled back on Cecilia’s face; saying gently, “Then give it

awkwardness, “I’m sorry, sir, but this coat is the pride of our store, and it’s the only one

she muttered, “Let’s not fuss over it, Hogan. I’m

anyway.”

of

gesture probably tugged at Hogan’s heartstrings because he

hinted at something else to me.

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09:55

Chapter 74

for Cecilia, was probably trying to muscle in on the

was at a loss

thought Hogan would pull such an

at our more modest get–up, tentatively asked me. “What do

the

out of the blue, irritation lacing his voice.