Read Online Desire Unmatched: 4 (Coded for Love) by Lynne Silver - Free Book Online
Authors: Lynne Silver
Ads: Link
that expression a million times before, but now I
understand what it really looks like. You.”
“I’m fine,” she said again. There was nothing else to say
without explaining everything.
“Does this have something to do with your mysterious life?”
“What are you talking about?” The shadow of a large tree on
campus threw them into a cold spot and she tightened her light sweater, wishing
she’d worn an autumn coat.
“Your mysterious life,” Kayla repeated. “Like why the caller
ID from your cell is always unknown. Or why we can never visit your apartment
and you’re vague about how far off campus it is.”
Emma took a step back from her friend, who stood looking at
her curiously. She didn’t have time for explanations. She needed to get back to
campus. She glanced again at her phone and saw the text had come in five
minutes ago. She had no time to explain to Kayla, but Lord knew she needed a
friend at this moment. Loren was good and all, but she was engaged to Xander’s
best friend. Not exactly a neutral ear. She needed someone who had her back.
Maybe Kayla could be that person.
Hooking her arm into Kayla’s, she headed toward the parking
structure, trying to determine where to start.
“Emma?” Kayla walked next to her, waiting.
“Hold on, I’m trying to organize my thoughts. It’s
complicated.” She took a moment, glancing back at the hub of the nearby
university campus where fellow students wandered in pairs or groups with
backpacks in tow. Finally she turned to face Kayla. “I’m kind of with someone.”
Kayla scrunched her nose and a furrow appeared between her
eyes. “Why is having a boyfriend a big secret? Is he not a student here?”
She shook her head. “He’s a soldier.”
Kayla brightened. “Oh that’s not such a big deal.”
She put a restraining hand on Kayla’s forearm. “Xander isn’t
a regular soldier. He’s a member of the Program.” She paused, waiting for her
meaning to register with Kayla. She knew the moment it did, for her friend’s
eyes grew round and Kayla’s hand gripped hers.
“Oh my God. Is that why you were upset in class that day?
Were you uncomfortable we were talking about them like they were lab rats?”
“No, I was sad. Because Xander…” She took another breath,
willing the tears down. “Xander went missing during an operation a few weeks
ago. They finally found him. That’s the text I got.”
Kayla leaned forward. “His name is Xander? Your boyf—no,
your match, isn’t that what they’re calling it?”
She nodded. “He’s my match, but we’re not really together.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story, and I don’t really understand it all.
But even if we’re not together, I have to get back to the campus because he
might need me.”
“And you’re worried about him,” Kayla said with a flash of
understanding. “You love him.”
“No!” She pulled her hand out of Kayla’s grasp and sped up
her pace. “No, I don’t really know him very well.” Her words sounded as if they
were weak denials, even to her ears.
Emma paused her rapid steps for a moment. “Look, I really
have to go. I promise I’ll call you later if I can, but I have to go. Please
don’t tell anyone. I’ll tell them later but I’m not ready to have everyone
looking at me like I’m a freak.”
Kayla nodded at her, apparently trying to process all she’d
learned about her new friend. Emma practically started to sprint toward her
car, torn in knots she’d shared the truth about her situation, but already
feeling lighter knowing she wouldn’t have to lie anymore.
Fifteen minutes later, as she sped into the underground
garage of the Program, she heard a text beep on her phone.
Ur not a freak. Hope X is OK. -K
She smiled at the text, trusting Kayla to keep her secret,
then raced out of the car and off to find her match.
* * * * *
Well, that was new. Xander blinked at his stolen cell phone
for a minute, wondering about Shep’s orders.
understand what it really looks like. You.”
“I’m fine,” she said again. There was nothing else to say
without explaining everything.
“Does this have something to do with your mysterious life?”
“What are you talking about?” The shadow of a large tree on
campus threw them into a cold spot and she tightened her light sweater, wishing
she’d worn an autumn coat.
“Your mysterious life,” Kayla repeated. “Like why the caller
ID from your cell is always unknown. Or why we can never visit your apartment
and you’re vague about how far off campus it is.”
Emma took a step back from her friend, who stood looking at
her curiously. She didn’t have time for explanations. She needed to get back to
campus. She glanced again at her phone and saw the text had come in five
minutes ago. She had no time to explain to Kayla, but Lord knew she needed a
friend at this moment. Loren was good and all, but she was engaged to Xander’s
best friend. Not exactly a neutral ear. She needed someone who had her back.
Maybe Kayla could be that person.
Hooking her arm into Kayla’s, she headed toward the parking
structure, trying to determine where to start.
“Emma?” Kayla walked next to her, waiting.
“Hold on, I’m trying to organize my thoughts. It’s
complicated.” She took a moment, glancing back at the hub of the nearby
university campus where fellow students wandered in pairs or groups with
backpacks in tow. Finally she turned to face Kayla. “I’m kind of with someone.”
Kayla scrunched her nose and a furrow appeared between her
eyes. “Why is having a boyfriend a big secret? Is he not a student here?”
She shook her head. “He’s a soldier.”
Kayla brightened. “Oh that’s not such a big deal.”
She put a restraining hand on Kayla’s forearm. “Xander isn’t
a regular soldier. He’s a member of the Program.” She paused, waiting for her
meaning to register with Kayla. She knew the moment it did, for her friend’s
eyes grew round and Kayla’s hand gripped hers.
“Oh my God. Is that why you were upset in class that day?
Were you uncomfortable we were talking about them like they were lab rats?”
“No, I was sad. Because Xander…” She took another breath,
willing the tears down. “Xander went missing during an operation a few weeks
ago. They finally found him. That’s the text I got.”
Kayla leaned forward. “His name is Xander? Your boyf—no,
your match, isn’t that what they’re calling it?”
She nodded. “He’s my match, but we’re not really together.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story, and I don’t really understand it all.
But even if we’re not together, I have to get back to the campus because he
might need me.”
“And you’re worried about him,” Kayla said with a flash of
understanding. “You love him.”
“No!” She pulled her hand out of Kayla’s grasp and sped up
her pace. “No, I don’t really know him very well.” Her words sounded as if they
were weak denials, even to her ears.
Emma paused her rapid steps for a moment. “Look, I really
have to go. I promise I’ll call you later if I can, but I have to go. Please
don’t tell anyone. I’ll tell them later but I’m not ready to have everyone
looking at me like I’m a freak.”
Kayla nodded at her, apparently trying to process all she’d
learned about her new friend. Emma practically started to sprint toward her
car, torn in knots she’d shared the truth about her situation, but already
feeling lighter knowing she wouldn’t have to lie anymore.
Fifteen minutes later, as she sped into the underground
garage of the Program, she heard a text beep on her phone.
Ur not a freak. Hope X is OK. -K
She smiled at the text, trusting Kayla to keep her secret,
then raced out of the car and off to find her match.
* * * * *
Well, that was new. Xander blinked at his stolen cell phone
for a minute, wondering about Shep’s orders.
Similar Books
