A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

ears were ringing by the time we reached my driveway.
    Thaddeus shut the car off but didn’t get out. “I know I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t like Amaya. It’s one thing to leave Unit, but it’s another to stay and be disrespectful of the Rules,” he said.
    “Isn’t that what we’re doing?” I questioned.
    “No,” he stated firmly. “We’re trying to make our Matched work. If it doesn’t, then we’ll leave Unit. We’re not sitting in a food court, flirting, and shopping in inappropriate places.”
    “You were following us?”
    “I was there and happened to see the store you went into,” he clarified.
    I fell quiet again knowing that he was right. He got out of the car and came around to open my door. He walked me up to my front door and stopped. “Are you going to tell my parents?” My voice sounded like a child who was just caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
    “You weren’t doing anything wrong. I know that. There’s no need to tell them.” He left me on the porch. I didn’t go inside until I couldn’t see his taillights anymore.
    “Xaviera, did you have fun shopping?” Mom asked as I came into the house.
    “It was interesting,” I said honestly sitting next to her on the couch.
    “Well, as long as you had a good time.” She patted my knee.
    “I think I’m going to do some homework. Love you, Mom.” I got up and headed up the stairs.
    I changed out of my clothes still gazing at my heels. I slipped on my pajamas and started my homework.
    I was deep into reading my medical terminology book when my phone alerted me of a text. I was figuring it was Amaya, but it wasn’t her.
    Thaddeus: I should have told you that you looked good in the heels.
    I smile crept on my face and my cheeks heated up.
    Me: Thank you. My Matched got them for me.
    Was I…flirting?
    Oh my word, I was.
    Thaddeus: He must be a nice guy.
    Me: If he isn’t mad at me, he is.
    Thaddeus: I wasn’t mad at you. Dinner? Tomorrow @ 6?
    Me: Kk
    Thaddeus: Dress casual
    I shut my book because I knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. I laid on my bed thinking about the day and about my Matched.
     
    ~~~
     
    I was surprised that Amaya picked me up for classes, but nothing was said about the incident at the mall. Instead, she continued talking about her birthday. Her parents had decided to have it in the park as a pot luck lunch that way there would be a wide variety of food for everyone.
    When I got home from school, I jumped in the shower and started getting ready for my evening with Thaddeus.
    I put on a pair of wide leg black pants with a red, three quarter length sleeve shirt that was lightweight and tight around my midsection. I added red matching peep toe boots. I left my hair down with a few curls and light makeup.
    “Xaviera,” Dad yelled up the stairs. “Thaddeus is here.”
    I checked my watch. He was early. “Be right down.” I slapped on some lip gloss with one hand trying to clasp my earring with the other. Then, I fluffed my hair one more time before trotting down the stairs.
    Thaddeus was standing with Dad in the kitchen. This time he has on a light pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, with a yellow plaid shirt over that. Of course, he had on his black boots. However, I was a little sad not to see his glasses. I really liked the way he looked in them.
    “Now, you kids have fun.” Dad hugged me before leaving us alone.
    “I guess you’re ready?” Thaddeus’ deep voice made the nervous butterflies in my stomach flutter.
    “Do I look okay? You said casual.”
    “You look fine.”
    Again, with the fine .
    We leave Unit going back into the city and headed to the park. It wasn’t very crowded but there were families around. Thaddeus opened my car door but then headed to the trunk. He pulled out a small cooler, a large bag, and a blanket.
    I followed him until he found an unoccupied shade tree and spread out the blanket. He opened the bag and started removing plates, cups, and utensils.
    “Are you