A Royal's Love (Unit Matched #1) (5 page)

“Medical administration.”

“Why that field?” He sipped his water.

“Well, I don’t want anything to do with banking. I couldn’t be doctor or a nurse because I don’t like blood or gore. Being a lawyer makes me sick to my stomach because I can’t see defending someone I knew was guilty. But I’m a people person, and I like helping people, so this seemed like a good fit. What about you? Did you always want to be an architect?”

He shrugged. “It’s what I’m good at.”

“Do you like working at your dad’s firm?”

“It helps me gain a lot of good contacts and experience, so yeah.” He kept staring out the window.

“Do you find this as weird as I do?” I know he said ‘small talk’, but I’m about to tear my hair out not knowing what he’s really thinking.

He looked at me. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m twenty, you’re what, twenty-one?”

He nodded.

“Right and this is our very first date. In this day and age, people our age have been on tons of dates, and we haven’t. Isn’t that strange?” I was rambling, and I should just clamp my mouth shut, but I didn’t have the ability to do so.

Thaddeus had the same serious expression on his face. “We’re from Unit. This is our life, apparently.”

“Right.” I guess that answered my question. He wasn’t one to discuss anything that had to deal with Unit. Then again, that wasn’t the hottest of topics right now.

“So, how does your sister Michelle like being Matched?”

“I guess okay. She’s pregnant now.”

“Oh,” I gasped. “I didn’t know that. You’re going to an uncle.” I figured Mom would have told me that, but I’ve not kept up with the latest gossip in Unit like I should.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“You’re lucky on that part,” I commented quietly.

“Why do you say that?” He looked perplexed.

“I don’t have any siblings. I’ll never be an aunt.” I could hear my own sadness in my voice.

“I forgot that, sorry.” He hung his head.

“There are good things to being an only child,” I tried to sound chipper.

“Such as,” he leads on.

“Well, I don’t have to worry about sharing any of my belongings, and I have my own bathroom.” I smiled at him.

“I could see that being a perk, since I shared with my sisters growing up.”

Our food came, and we ate quietly only commenting on food related items. Thaddeus hated mushrooms and doesn’t like a lot of garlic. He thinks mustard should be the only thing on a hot dog, and milk is his choice of drink in the morning.

I told him how much I hated mayonnaise and corndogs. I think I could drink cherry Kool-aid every day of my life, and I’ve never had a Starbucks coffee.

“But the one thing I could live on: Lucky Charms cereal. I know that it’s childish, but it’s my go to when I’m hungry.” I looked at my plate realizing I had eaten almost all of my eggplant, and I pushed it away. I was stuffed to the gills.

“Lucky Charms?”

“I know, childish, but there is something about those colorful marshmallows that make everything tastes so good.” I waved my hand wishing I hadn’t said anything of it, but I did love them.

The waiter came over to check on us and Thaddeus asked for the bill. After he paid for everything, we left.

“Want to walk a little while?”

I nodded. It was a lovely night. The moon was bright, and there was a light warm breeze. We strolled uptown trying not to bump into anyone else from the crowded sidewalk. As we continued I stopped at a window display of…shoes. I thought I might have to wipe the drool away from my face when I saw a striking pair of pink high heels with a lace overlay.

“I need to run in here.” I rushed away from him and into the store. I asked the lady if I could see the shoes in the window in my size. She was very nice and brought me pair.

I sat down on a chair as Thaddeus sat next to me. “Sorry,” I said sadly.

“I have two sisters and a mother, trust me, I understand the shoe fetishes of women,” he smirked.

I giggled.

Did Thaddeus just make a joke?

Did he smile?

Those questions left my mind as I slipped on the shoes standing up in them and looking in the small mirror. I bite my lip smiling at the beautiful lace and pink color.

“I’ll take them.” I placed them back in the box. I was putting my shoes on when I looked up and saw Thaddeus paying for my shoes. “Hey.” I jumped up going over to the counter. “I could have taken care of that.”

“Thank you,” he told the clerk ignoring me while carrying my bag and walking out of the store.

“Hey,” I said again. “I can pay for my own stuff, Thaddeus.”

“I know,” was all he said strolling back to his car. He opened the door for me and put my bag in the trunk. Sad thing was I wanted to look at my shoes.

We became quiet as he drove us back to Unit. I did have a good night. I learned a few things about Thaddeus, and he bought me a pair of shoes. That was the first thing my Matched got me, and it’s the one thing that I love the most.

Pulling into my driveway, every light in the house was still on. It doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure Mom wanted to know every detail, and Dad wanted to make sure I’m okay.

Thaddeus got my bag from the trunk first, and then opened my door. He walked me all the way up the stairs to the entrance.

“I actually had a good time,” he said in a quiet tone.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended by that.” I leaned in laughing, and he smirked again. “Thank you for my shoes.”

“Oh, right, you’re welcome.” He handed me my bag, and our hands barely touched. “I’ll text you.” Thaddeus let go of the bag and headed back to his car.

Oh my word, I had a first date.

Chapter 6

The Matched Life

I stared at my shoes.

My Matched bought me these.

I stayed up late thinking about my night. Thaddeus had fun, and I did too.

I worked all day at the bank and it seemed to drag by. Thankfully, it finally ended and I clocked out. I had checked my phone several times during the day and he hadn’t texted me. That’s okay because I have homework that needs to be done which means I might not be able to see or talk to him today anyway. I did have a text from Amaya though.

Amaya: Let’s go shopping. My birthday is coming & I have nothing to wear

That would be something to keep my mind occupied.

Me: Pick me up at my house.

I headed home, changed and sent a text to my parents. Amaya honked the horn, and I raced out to her car where Gia was already in the front seat.

“I want something very slutty,” Amaya said as I buckled my seatbelt.

“Oh, we’re going to be in so much trouble,” Gia mumbled. I had to agree with her.

~~~

I’m pretty sure Amaya tried on every dress in the entire mall and found nothing. Well, nothing that was appropriate for her party. We went to the food court because we were all starving. Shopping should be an Olympic sport. At least the way we shop it should be.

We sat at a table, eating our hot, soft pretzels and Amaya was going on about her party.

“You know that you need to be more careful,” Gia told her.

“About what?”

Gia pointed to Amaya’s calf. There was a large bruise on it. “You’re training very hard.”

Amaya shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal when three guys we didn’t know approached us.

“Well, you sexy ladies look like you need some company.” They grabbed chairs joining our table.

Gia and I immediately knew it was time to leave, but we halted when Amaya began to flirt.

“Oh, we would love some,” she cooed.

“Amaya,” I hissed a warning to her. Gia’s face paled.

“Are you Unit girls?” The tallest one asked. The city people knew who we were, and they knew that we kept mostly within our group.

“Yes, we are.” Amaya winked at him.

“Amaya, I’m ordering you. We have to leave.” I tugged on her arm, but she ignored me because I didn’t want to use my power on her outside of Unit.

“Amaya, please,” Gia begged.

“Wow, you Unit girls should enjoy a fresh taste of the city life.” The third guy winked at me.

“Unit females don’t like that flavor.” I gasp turning to Thaddeus with Graham and Oliver. “It’s time to go ladies.” Thaddeus’ voice was tight, and I could hear the fury behind it.

I stood up and got behind Thaddeus and Gia was behind me. Amaya slowly sashayed behind Gia.

“Have a good day gentlemen,” Thaddeus said politely. We followed him leading us right out of the mall, with Graham and Oliver behind us.

Once we were outside, his face had anger written all over it. “Did you drive?” I shook my head. “I’m taking you home then. Amaya and Gia you need to go home too. I’ll see you guys later.” He tipped his chin up to Graham and Oliver.

“We were just playing around,” Amaya said definitely irked that her flirting was ruined by him.

“My Matched wasn’t playing. Your Princess told you that you needed to leave and you disobeyed,” Thaddeus growled. “And I would think that someone whose twentieth birthday is coming up wouldn’t want her father to hear about this?” He challenged her. “Would hate to see her Matched back out?”

Amaya’s face was red with embarrassment, hurt, and anger, but she didn’t say anything. She turned on her heels and started walking to her car.

“We’ll watch them until they get in the car,” Graham said keeping their distance behind the girls.

Thaddeus towered over me and I wished I wasn’t outside of Unit, or I would open up the ground and let it swallow me up. “We may still be in the
decision
period, but I won’t be made a fool, Xaviera.”

“I swear I wasn’t doing that. I was trying to get her to leave. I promise, Thaddeus.” I could feel the tears building in my eyes.

“Let’s get back to Unit.” He stalked to his car as I tried my best to keep up with his long strides. He was waiting for me with the car door opened when I finally reached it.

The ride home was quiet and filled with tension that my 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 going to stand and eat?” He asked teasingly.

“No,” I chipped back kneeling down onto the blanket.

I watched as he opened the cooler, pulling out a couple of sandwiches and a couple of bags of chips. Then he grabbed a couple of bottles of water.

“Did you make the sandwiches?” I asked impressed by his skills.

“I would love to say yes, but no. It’s all from the deli. I’m hoping that you like it. I promise there’s no mayonnaise.” He gave me a tiny smile, and I was taken aback by it. He hasn’t really shown any other expression besides being upset.

He fixed my plate handing it to me before making one for himself. Not much was said between us. I mainly talked about the classes I was taking this summer, and he told me about a project was hoping he would be able to lead.

“Will it be here in Vermont?” I asked cleaning up my trash.

“No, it would be in New Orleans.”

“Really?”

“Yep, and if I do get it I would be gone for three months, at least.”

“Wow.” I didn’t know what to think about him being gone for so long, but then again, we still might not make it to the end of our decision period. “Thaddeus, may I ask you a question? You’ll be honest with me?”

“Yes,” he answered looking in my eyes.

“I know our mothers forced this on us, and the mall incident hasn’t helped, but I was wondering what you’ve thought about us, so far?” I began twirling a piece of hair to ease my nerves from his answer.

He doesn’t break our connection. He just stares at me. “Ask me that question again in a month?”

“I understand that, thank you,” I said honestly because I asked him to tell me the truth, and he did.

“How about this?” he stood gathering the blanket up. “Let’s forget all that and continue to get to know each other, okay?”

I gave him a full smile. “Okay.” I follow him back to the car where he placed everything in the trunk.

The drive back to Unit was peaceful. I felt more content with Thaddeus this time.

“I was thinking about going for a late night run. Would you like to join me?” He asked pulling into my driveway.

“Sure.” I nodded. As he walked me to the door, he told me that he would pick me up in about thirty minutes.

My parents were watching some TV show, and I quickly told them what was happening. They seemed very pleased that I was spending more time with Thaddeus, especially Mom. I changed in lightning speed and made sure I tied my hair back in a high ponytail.

Thaddeus was on time when he knocked on the door. I was surprised that we matched. He was in gray sweatpants and a loose white t-shirt, while I was in gray yoga pants and a white sweat jacket. He gave me a small smirk as he looked me up and down. It was the first time that he openly showed true interest in me.

We walked up the path a little way, before we started jogging. I followed behind Thaddeus this time, and I couldn’t help my eyes roam over his body. He must work out more than I thought because his back muscles were showing through his t-shirt.

“Want to go off trail?” He asked over his shoulder.

“That’s fine.”

He diverted to the left, and I dropped back slightly behind him. His strides were much longer than mine, but then again, he was several inches taller than me.

He slowed letting me catch up to him. “How about a race?”

“Where to?” We both jogged in place keeping our heart rates up.

Thaddeus pointed over to the lookout. “There.”

“What do I win if I beat you?” I teased not thinking he would say anything.

“A kiss.”

I stopped dead in place, and I couldn’t breathe.

“Deal?” Thaddeus waited for me to answer, but I couldn’t say anything. “Xaviera, do we have a deal or not?”

“You can’t kiss me,” I blurted out to him.

He halted his jogging in place. “Why can’t I? You’re my Matched.”

“But I’ve never been kissed.” I’m practically shouting at him still in shock.

“I would hope not,” he scoffed at me. “Do we have a bet?”

“No, Thaddeus, we don’t.” I turned and headed back to the trail. Hearing Thaddeus yell for me, I ignored him.

I kept going down the trail until Thaddeus jumped in front of me making me skid to a stop.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he repeated several times.