Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 214

Nobody knows the minimalist chic vibe better than me.

If I hadn't double-checked the apartment number before walking in, I would've thought I stepped into a time machine and ended up back in that "home" from two years ago.

The one I shared with Hogan.

Gray curtains, a beige love-seat, and the black-and-white checkered carpet—not only was the color scheme identical, but the layout was a carbon copy too.

And yet, I clearly remembered that the landlord said all our "home" stuff had been dumped at the landfill.

So is this just a freaky coincidence?

"Xaviera, why the freeze frame at the door?" Cecilia, noticing my trance, grabbed a pair of shoe covers from the hall cabinet and tossed them my way, adding, "Surprised, huh? When Hogan moved in, he got everything sorted out, from big-ticket appliances to the nitty-gritty essentials. The dude's got an eye for detail."

So, all of this was Hogan's handiwork?

I awkwardly slipped on the shoe covers without picking up on Cecilia's cue and shot back, "Where's the grub?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Cecilia's eyes—a subtle sign that she was bummed I didn't play ball with her chitchat. Pointing towards the kitchen, she said, "All the ingredients are there. I barely touch the kitchen stuff, so, Xaviera, you do you."

With my mind set on 'get in, get out,' I bee-lined for the kitchen. But when I caught sight of the pots and pans on the stove, my calm heart hit choppy waters again.

They were from the same niche brands I always use.

One of them was a spitting image of the clay pot I use for my soups.

Another coincidence?

"Xaviera, what's up?" Cecilia leaned on the kitchen's sliding door. "Something wrong?"

I snapped out of it, shook my head, and said, "Prep's gonna take about twenty minutes. You can hang here or chill in the living room."