Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 43

Wallis quickly scoped out that Frank hits the links every weekend.

At Lake Golf, a low-key yet swanky golf club.

After huddling with Wallis, we decided to stage a chance encounter.

Come Saturday afternoon, we rocked up to the course bright and early, lying in wait.

It was a hot minute before we spotted Frank, fashionably late, rolling deep with his entourage. Wallis and | exchanged a look, then she strutted over with her club in hand.

“Mr. Bishop, fancy seeing you here again.” Wallis put on her CEO charm, all polite and stuff.

Frank paused when he heard her, his gaze lingering briefly on Wallis before flitting away, cool as a cucumber, like he couldn't place us.

One of his buddies couldn’t resist a dig. “Man, you've got that love charm. Works wherever he goes.” His look at me and Wallis was so blatant it bordered on rude. Guess he figured we were gold diggers.

| brushed it off, stepping forward. “Mr. Bishop, with your busy schedule, no wonder you don’t. remember President Lott. Looks like President Lott's wish isn’t happening today.”

| let out a sigh to drive it home.

That got Frank’s attention, his curiosity piqued as he gave Wallis a once—over.

Wallis scratched her head, awkward as hell, then glanced my way.

| chimed in, “No sweat. President Lott. We can always hit the green with Mr. Bishop some other time.” Wallis quickly agreed, “Guess we've been twiddling our thumbs for nothing these past two

hours.”

Wallis was a total bombshell — stood out even in a crowd, and those doe eyes of hers looked. like they were always telling a story. Right then, she was the picture of pity.

The onlookers were having a field day. One piped up. “Look, no offense, but Mr. Bishop’s golf game is top-notch around Rivertown. You looking to play him or play him for a fool?”

Wallis swung her club with a flourish, “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“Let's just hit a few then,” Frank finally chimed in, cool as you like. “But just so you know, | don’t go easy on anyone.”

He was exuding a serious aura. Wallis literally held her breath, lost for words.

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| stepped in to shield her, whispering. “Don’t sweat it. Winning or losing doesn’t matter now.” What mattered was we’d snagged a chance to talk to Frank.

Turns out Walls could hold her own with a club.

Back when she was trying to impress her loaded ex, she went all out practicing golf. Among the weekend warriors, she'd got some serious chops.

Just not quite in Frank’s league. So yeah, by the end of the game, with the sun dipping low, Wallis was wiped but took the loss like a champ.

Frank tossed his club to the caddy, shot Wallis a glance, and said with a hint of respect. “That birde by President Lott wasn’t half bad.”

He'd sunk a handful himself.

Walls‘ competitive streak was all ried up. “We'll have a rematch someday.”

The peanut gallery teased, “Mr. Bishop, she’s asking for a second date!”

On now Walls and | had names, it seemed.

Frank cracked a smile, his gaze suddenly landing on me, “Why didn’t you bring Darren along?” Mentioning Darren got everyone giving us that knowing look

“Professor Yearwood’s tied up, wouldn’t want to bug him.” | replied, all sincerity.

“After a long game, you must be tired. If you ladies don’t mind, join us for a drink at our club.” Walls and | locked eyes, and in unison, we were like. “Lead the way.”

The club wasn’t just us girls.

While Frank was changing, Wallis and | shot the breeze with some of the others.

Someone casually brought up Hogan, griping about how he’s always out of reach.

“Heard he’s got a thing for some college girl Been chasing her like a man possessed, turning the whole Zade family upside down. No clue what he’s after.”

Some trust-fund kiddo chimed in “You don’t get it, man. It’s all about that fresh college vibe. It’s a different story in the bedroom— gets you hooked.”

The dude barely finished his sentence before the others burst out laughing. | kept my head down took a swig of my drink. It tasted foul.

“Enough’s enough” Frank cut in “There are ladies present.”

Walls shot me a lock, half-joking. “Who doesn’t a bit of young flesh?”

That quip cleared the air of ankwardness.

22

Phad business to tend to, so | sidled up to Frank with my drink

ABisho” | said, keeping my glass tow, “thanks for today?

“Attend of Darren’s is a friend of mine, Ms. March, Ho need for thanks. lwasn’t about to beat around the bush, “You've probably guessed today wast Frank staved qutet, desturing for me to go on.

“We like to discuss a project with you,” Leul to the chase,

Frank took a sin, then said after a moment. “Since you are working with Mr. Zade, money shouldn’t be an issue, right?” He knew about Hodan’s investment.

| steeled myself. “Sure. Mr. Zade’s loaded. But when it comes to insight and strategy, President Lett and | think you’ve got the upper hand.”

Frank seemed used to this kind of flattery. He squinted his eyes, “I want the real reason, Ms. March”

His tone was gentle, but there was an undercurrent of pressure that told me if | tried any funny business, he might just toss Wallis and me out on our ears,

lak it out straight, “We're in this project for the money. Mr. Zade’s playing a different game.” “Mr. Zade’s just trying to impress his girl.” | chose my words carefully, “Different goals,”

No sooner had | spoken than Frank burst into laughter, “Sounds like Mr. Zade isn’t doing his job as an investor if he’s got you thinking that.”

It was casual banter, but Frank’s eyes stayed fixed over my shoulder. With a skeptical look plastered on my face, | just turned my head and boom-there was Hogan, standing right behind me.

He was staring right back at me, too.