Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 159

For some reason, when our eyes locked, my heart skipped a beat out of nowhere.

Logically speaking, Hogan shouldn’t be here at this hour.

But there he was, unexpectedly, and all alone at that.

His gaze was so intense, you couldn’t just ignore it.

Timothy picked up on the vibe too. He dropped the smile and asked with a serious tone, “Can you handle this, Xaviera?”

“Yeah,” I didn’t want Timothy getting tangled up in the beef between Hogan and me, so I said, “Let’s call it a day for now. Pick me up on time tomorrow night.”

A flicker of hesitation crossed his pretty eyes, and I heard Timothy offer, “If you can’t handle it, I could step in, you know.”

I played it off, “Underestimating me?”

That got Timothy to back off, and he left without looking back.

But that laser–like stare was still glued to my back.

I steadied myself and walked towards Hogan with feigned

calmness.

“I didn’t expect to see you enjoying your leisure time here.”

at my feet. “When

were super cute, and old me

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Chapter 159

matching pair – – couple slippers, couple pajamas, the whole shebang. But after he called it childish, I always pretended

they

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him, so I just said, “If there’s nothing else,

Hogan’s challenging voice stopped me, “Is this why you refuse to cooperate with Rainbow Capital?”

and sharp, like a thousand–year–old

to the bone.

him told me

everything at his fingertips probably didn’t see my rejection of the opportunity he

I responded coolly, “Mr. Zade, you should be

coldly, “You’ve spent all this time in Pinecrest Hollow trying to find Freeman, and now you’re giving up just because you’ve found a big shot to lean on? Xaviera, I expected more

of his rant, Hogan was almost out

what’s he so mad about?

I’d just lap up a bit of pity from him and

say it yourself?” I took a breath to quell

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Chapter 159

good at making choices,