Chapter 74
Running into Cecilia again didn’t exactly knock my socks off.
But I sure as hell didn’t expect to see Hogan and Hilary tagging along.
In my book. Hogan was the last guy you’d catch dead at a shopping mall, let alone playing the tame sidekick, lugging bags for the ladies.
It was out of left field but somehow made sense.
Well, since our paths crossed, I couldn’t dodge saying hi to the trio without coming off as a total jerk.
Though I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.
Hilary threw an extra glance at Darren and my uncle standing next to me and clicked, “So when you said you had plans, it was with Professor Yearwood, huh?”
I could hear a hint of sour grapes in her voice.
Only then did I remember her asking me out over the phone last night.
Looks like she got the wrong end of the stick.
Before I could clear the air, Cecilia chimed in with her sugary voice, “Mrs. Hilary, look at Xaviera in this new coat. Doesn’t it just make her look more elegant and poised?”
Her comment effortlessly shifted everyone’s gaze onto me.
I was about to bring up the dressing room saga when Hogan, from across the way, suddenly piped up. “You dig this piece?”
#
He was fishing for Cecilia’s opinion.
Cecilia’s eyes did a once–over on me and she said, “I just think this vintage old–money vibe is really classy, understated yet comfy. It’s a rare find.”
Hogan gave me a quick once–over, then his eyes settled back on Cecilia’s face; saying gently, “Then give it a go.”
No sooner had he spoken than the eager salesperson’s face twisted with awkwardness, “I’m sorry, sir, but this coat is the pride of our store, and it’s the only one we have.”
Cecilia’s eyelids drooped a bit as she muttered, “Let’s not fuss over it, Hogan. I’m not that into it
anyway.”
Pretty considerate of her.
That kind–hearted gesture probably tugged at Hogan’s heartstrings because he stubbornly asked the salesperson, “Has it been paid for?”
His blunt and domineering question also hinted at something else to me.
1/2
09:55
Chapter 74
Yep. if I wasn’t mistaken, Hogan, head over heels for Cecilia, was probably trying to muscle in on the coat.
I was at a loss for words.
Never thought Hogan would pull such an ungentlemanly stunt.
The salesperson, catching the drift, glanced at Hogan’s pricey suit and then at our more modest get–up, tentatively asked me. “What do you think, miss?”
Smart move, passing the buck to me.
“Wrap it up.” Darren cut in out of the blue, irritation lacing his voice. “Sorry, Hogan, but we’re taking the coat.”
He was unexpectedly assertive.
I got it, nobody wanted the perfect pick for their mom swiped from under their nose.
There was something to be said for first come, first served.
But Hogan, hell–bent on winning Cecilia’s favor, stepped forward and suggested to the salesperson, “Why don’t you give Hans a ring?”
With Hilary’s shopping spree habits, she was bound to be a VIP, and Hogan’d made quite the splash in Rivertown these past couple of years. He was dead set on snagging that coat.
But did he really have to stoop this low?
Darren frowned at Hogan’s words, “Hogan, a gentleman doesn’t snatch what others fancy.”
Darren was trying to reason with a guy who was clearly smitten and not thinking straight.
Hogan scoffed, “Professor Yearwood, if it hasn’t.been paid for, it’s not yours, is it?”
Trust an economics guy to twist logic like it’s a game.
My uncle, silent up till now, couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted out angrily, “What’s the deal? Did you do it just to make life hard for someone else?”
