Caught in the Undertow (Hawaiian Crush #6) by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online Page B

started lecturing, and Sydney forgot about Coen for a moment. She scribbled her notes and stared at the board. Coen made notes but his were much different than hers. He drew pictures more than words, and the notes he did take were short and to the point. Sydney wrote down everything the professor said. They had very different ways of thinking.
    When class was over, they walked to lunch.
    Coen placed his hand around her waist and held her close.
    Feeling him touch her made the anger dissipate slightly. It was hard to stay upset when she loved him so much. They went into the cafeteria and sat down.
    “What do you want for lunch?” he asked her.
    “Just a salad.”
    His eyes narrowed but he held his tongue. “I’ll be back.”
    Her friends watched him leave.
    “I can’t believe you actually tamed him,” Henry said.
    “He’s still mad,” she said. “I didn’t get off work until really late and I forgot to tell him.”
    “So the honeymoon phase is officially over?” Ren asked.
    “We’re just arguing right now,” Sydney said. “He made me take a pregnancy test because I’m tired and have no appetite.”
    “Are you pregnant?” Paola blurted.
    “No,” Sydney said quickly. “Coen is just being annoying.” She covered her mouth and started coughing, feeling the sting in the back of her throat. She sniffed when her nose started to drip.
    “Do you need some water?” Henry asked, handing her his bottle.
    She coughed again. “No, thanks. I have my own.” She pulled out her water bottle and took a drink.” When she put it down, she started to cough again.
    “You’re coming down with something,” Derek said.
    “No, I’m not,” Sydney said quickly. “I never get sick.” She coughed again.
    Henry grimaced. “No, you’re getting sick.”
    “Don’t tell Coen,” she said as she cleared her throat.
    “Why?” Derek asked. “Because you’ll have to admit he’s right?”
    Sydney glared at him.
    Coen returned to the table and placed the food in front of her. He brought a salad like she requested. He took a bite of his sandwich then leaned back in his chair.
    Sydney felt the tingle in the back of her throat, the undeniable necessity to cough. She drank from her water and tried to ignore it. Unable to hold it back, it escaped from her lips. She covered her mouth then acted like nothing happened.
    Coen eyed her but didn’t comment.
    Her friends started talking, and Sydney ate her food quietly. The need returned and she coughed, covering her mouth. It was deep and guttural. She recovered quickly then ignored Coen. Her friends all looked at Coen, wondering what he would do.
    Sydney caught again.
    “Do you need more water?” Coen asked simply.
    “No,” Sydney said. She waited for him to berate her but he never did. She was surprised by his silence.
    After lunch, she went to her afternoon classes then to work at the aquarium. She kept coughing. It wouldn’t stop. She even bought cough drops but that didn’t seem to help. As much as she hated to admit, she knew she was sick.
    “Hello, Dr. Goldstein,” she sa id when she walked in.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked. “I thought you were sick.”
    “I’m not,” she said quickly. Another cough attack happened and she covered her mouth.
    Gilbert raised an eyebrow. “You r husband called me and said you were too unwell to work.”
    She felt her anger rise. “He was mistaken.”
    He eyed her. “But you are sick. You should get some rest.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Sydney, please go home. I don’t want to get sick.”
    She sighed.
    “And you can have Wednesdays off from now on.”
    “What? Why?” She knew Coen had something to do with this.
    “Coen says you are working too hard. You’re suffering at home and you aren’t getting enough sleep. I said I can lose you one day a week. It’s not a big deal.”
    “Don’t listen to him,” she snapped.
    “Sydney, I know you are passionate about this and I admire your motivation, but you are