Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 141

With a calm tone, I mentioned, “Bumping into Mr. Temple was a lucky accident; he’s always ready to lend a hand.”

If Shirley paid a tad more attention, she would’ve caught the ridiculous sight of me hobbling around.

But her gaze only briefly skimmed over my foot before she chuckled and said, “You know, for someone like Ms. March who’s a stranger to regular workouts, it’s no surprise a little hill could throw you for a loop- totally get it.”

She said she understood, but her tone had that condescending vibe that reeked of someone who thought they were the cat’s pajamas. The sarcasm was laid on thick.

I wanted to avoid a clash, so as I was racking my brains for a way to save face, I heard Timothy say, “Xaviera’s a friend of mine, and if it’s not too much trouble, I’d be grateful if President Stapleton could. arrange to have lunch sent to her room, and,”

He paused there, and then added, “The weather’s fickle, and the trails are full of clueless tourists who might get into a pickle. Today it’s Xaviera, and she’s not making a fuss about it, but if it were someone else, President Stapleton might not be all smiles right

now.”

No sooner had he finished than Shirley’s smile froze on her face. After a quick glance my way, she was back to her usual self, saying, “My bad for not playing the gracious host. Ms. March, please don’t take it to heart, okay?”

There was that teasing tone again, but this time Shirley’s voice had

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Chapter 141

threw me a bone, probably

when to quit while I was ahead, “You’re

before she left, “The suite’s the same one by the Bright Summit, all spruced

Hogan’s thatched

had set aside – complete and top–of–the–line gear. A thought was about to break free in my mind when

been into hiking, Xaviera.”

it,

step, and the hand supporting me tensed up as if he was a

a moment, Timothy was back to his devil–may–care self, “Xaviera, Sean the knucklehead dragged me out here for some blind date.

Sean? Blind date?

someone you know.” Seeing I didn’t

Chapter 141

a smile, “The

I had to admit, if those two really set