Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 145

Chapter 145 But since she threw the idea out there, | had no place to veto it, so | just kept mum as a way of giving the thumbs up. Timothy didn’t object either, nodding his head, “Sounds kind of interesting.”

Now we were all just waiting for Hogan to weigh in. Knowing him as | did, there was no way he’d usually be caught dead playing. such a “lame” game.

But the next second, | heard him go, “I’m cool with it.”

Color me surprised. | was also pretty curious about what Hogan would do if he ended up in a situation where he and Shirley were gripping each other’s hand.

With four of us, statistically, there was bound to be a pair making the same move. Sure enough, soon after the game started, Shirley and | both snipped out scissors.

We were both sharp as tacks and the same sex, so our handshake was smooth as silk. The second round had Shirley and Timothy both coming up with rock — childhood buddies, they breezed through it.

Then in the third round, the moment I'd been wondering about happened — Hogan and Shirley both threw paper.

Shirley, all smiles, reached out her hand towards Hogan, but the guy cool as a cucumber, just picked up his glass and downed his drink. Shirley's hand was left hanging in the air.

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“Sorry,” Hogan glanced at Shirley and said, “she runs a tight ship.” Shirley, her hopes dashed, had to save face, “Cecilia's really got it made.” Yeah, Cecilia wasn’t even there, but her presence was felt

everywhere — talked about being lucky.

As the minutes ticked by, the vibe got more chill, and | didn’t know how many rounds in, | ended up matching scissors with Timothy.

| was just about to take a penalty drink when Timothy’s broad palm covered the back of my hand, his warmth spreading from my fingertips to behind my ears. In a flash, my face was on fire.

| tried to pull my hand back, but felt Timothy’s fingers gripping a tad tighter, locked in my palm.

| was kind of freaking out, not knowing whether to wriggle free or just go with it. Then | hear Timothy say, “Xaviera, it’s just a game; why’re you blushing?”

| hastily withdrew my hand, about to explain, when suddenly there was this crash — Hogan’s bottle had taken a dive onto the floor. The whiskey splattered all over his light-colored trousers, a real

eyesore. “Are you hurt, Mr. Zade?” It was Shirley who spoke.

Hogan, still not missing a beat, said, “It's nothing, just a shame about the whiskey.” Deve

“Mr. Zade, what are you saying? It’s just booze.” Shirley slurred, her eyes adding a seductive glint, “If you want to drink, I'll keep you company all night.”

But Hogan wasn’t swayed. He glanced at his watch and said, “Sorry, but this is where | call it a night; | promised to call her at this time.”

That “her” obviously meant Cecilia. Even while out drinking, Hogan didn’t forget her instructions.

Since he'd said as much, Shirley didn’t object. Instead, she offered sweetly, “My driver’s just outside; | can give Mr. Zade a lift.” The bar wasn’t far from the penthouse on the mountain. But Hogan nodded in agreement, “Thanks, President Stapleton.”

The moment the two bosses were gone, Timothy was already trying to roll up my pant leg. I’d had a few drinks and staggered back a couple of steps, saying, “It’s really no big deal.”

Sometimes his straightforwardness could be too much.

Timothy seemed to realize his forwardness and scratched his head, saying, “I just wanted to make sure; hope you don’t mind, Xaviera.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Of course, | wouldn’t mind such a good-hearted young man, but my mind was still on something else.

Half an hour later, | was back at my thatched cottage, nursing a sore calf. As soon as my key card clicked and the door beeped open, | was greeted by Hogan’s deep, beguiling voice, “Back so