Chapter 75
He was making perfect sense, lists clenched and giving Hogan the stink eye,
Suddenly, the vibe got super tense.
Seeing this, Cecilia shot me a quilty look and said, “Sorry. Xaviera, we weren’t trying to step on your toes or anything. Hogan just wanted me to give it a whirl. If you’re really into it, I’ll back
off.”
Her voice trailed off and her eyes started to well up.
Meanwhile, Hilary was just standing there the whole time, not saying a peep.
My ankle was throbbing and I winced, telling Darren. “This number’s a bit snug around the waist, not exactly the epitome of comfort.”
I was being straight up, but also waving a white flag.
Darren blinked, took a beat, then suggested, “Let’s browse around some more.”
The drama ended with our compromise.
As we were leaving the store. I overheard Cecilia playfully scolding. “I’ve got plenty of clothes, Hogan. No need to splash out, pick something for Mrs. Hillary.”
She’d got her head screwed on right.
Guess that was why Hogan was willing to take the heat for playing favorites to keep her sweet. After that hot mess, none of us were in the mood to keep shopping. Darren saw Jason loaded down with bags and insisted on dropping him off in the East District.
Getting out of the car. Jason looked pretty down in the dumps. After hesitating for a few seconds, he asked, “Xaviera, you still in touch with the Zade family?”
Looks like he recognized Hilary.
And they’d only met once.
Hilary, though, clearly didn’t remember him at all.
Not wanting to worry him, I said, “Not much interaction.”
“Really?” It was clear he wasn’t buying it.
I forced a smile and said, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t press further, but as he was leaving, I could see the unease he couldn’t quite hide in his eyes.
Suddenly, I felt like a real jerk.
As Darren’s car approached the neighborhood, he unexpectedly pulled up in front of a
09:55
Chapter 25
pharmacy.
“Give me five minutes”
He dashed out without explaining, but came back with some medicinal wine and anti–inflammatory meds.
Handing them over, he said. “Rub this on.”
He noticed the injury on my ankle, his eyes full of concern.
I had no idea when he figured out Lwas hurt; I’d been toughing it out so my uncle wouldn’t worry.
And I was wearing casual pants that covered my boots.
I murmured thanks and felt too shy to roll up my pant leg in front of Darren.
He didn’t catch on to my hesitation and started to lift my pant leg himself, then froze. “How did you bear it till now?”
Looking down, I saw that my ankle had swollen up, red and puffy. I mumbled, “Almost home. I’ll
manage.”
Darren paused, sighed, and walked me back to my place.
He helped me hobble all the way to my door.
“Cold compress then apply the medicine, and don’t walk around,” he instructed. “Call me if your need anything.”
He was the perfect gentleman, not stepping inside, leaving me feeling all sorts of embarrassed. Ten minutes later, I was on the couch, icing my ankle and sorting through work, when I absentmindedly scrolled through Facebook and saw Cecilia’s post.
[Today, I’m everybody’s little princess.]
She posted a pic with a bunch of fancy gifts.
Among all the high–end brand loot, I spotted the shopping bag from that posh coat.
Looks like Hogan did buy Cecilia that coat in the end.
