Echoes of Unrequited Love (Xaviera and Hogan) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 

With a “ding.” Hogan’s glass suddenly landed on the table, making a crisp sound. I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or not. 

He gave me a casual glance, grabbed his glass, tapped it on the table, and downed it in one go. Pretty decisive. 

I pretended to take a sip of my juice, too. 

The scene looked like everyone was having a blast, but the vibe was kinda stiff, for some 

reason. 

I felt like a total jerk, stirring up trouble at someone else’s birthday bash–definitely not cool. 

Clueless Jack, just there for the grub, didn’t pick up on it and, loving a good show, said, “Darren, Xaviera’s laid it out for ya, aren’t you gonna respond?” 

Great, now it was even more awkward. 

I wished I could just vanish into thin air. 

Thank goodness Darren’s got social smarts. Holding his glass, he said, “Xaviera, you’ve given me such high praise, I should definitely return the toast.” 

His voice was teasing, a playful twinkle in his eye as he gave me a secret wink. 

At his cue, I reluctantly raised my glass. 

That warmed things up a bit. 

We 

were at the meal for over an hour. 

+ 

When we left the restaurant, Hogan’s car was already waiting by the curb. 

Zachary hopped out of the car and helped a tipsy Hogan into the back seat. 

Cecilia got in, too, but then popped her head out the window and asked. “Xaviera, wanna join us?” 

I smiled and declined. 

Who wanted to be a third wheel, right? 

Wasn’t a cheap subway ride way more appealing? 

“Xaviera, let Darren take you,” Jack said when he heard I was hitting the subway, “It’s getting late, not safe.” 

I looked at Darren, cheeks flushed, and said, “No need.” 

“Let’s go together,” Darren interrupted, “The university’s put me up in a two–bedroom near campus, it’s on the way.” 

1/3 

Chapter 23 

I couldn’t tell if he was for real or not. 

It was so out of the blue. 

Noticing my hesitation, Darren just pulled out a key card from his briefcase and said, “Believe me now?” 

So there I was, catching the subway with this slightly buzzed guy. 

In the end, he even walked me to my building. 

Thinking about my antics at the dinner, I seriously apologized. 

Darren just grinned and said, “Xaviera, I actually had a great time today. You being you, it’s really quite something.” 

I was totally baffled. 

“That’s our Computer Science Department’s pride and joy, Xaviera.” 

That word “pride” felt both foreign and familiar, sending a little tremor through my heart. 

Back at my place, I sat silently by the window, pondering my life’s many flaws, and forced a bitter smile. 

Me, worthy of “pride“? 

My phone’s dark screen flickered unexpectedly. 

It was a friend request from Hogan, with a question mark. 

I hesitated for two seconds, then locked the screen and headed to bed. 

I overslept.