Emerge: The Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

to each other, and shared an amazing connection, but she didn’t want to encourage anything more than friendship. He felt differently, but his intensity made her nervous.
    He caught her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. “It’s just us, Lex. If I’m affectionate, it doesn’t have to be weird. I can see you aren’t into me like that, and that’s okay…for now.” He smirked. “I am happy to have you as my best friend.”
    “Aidan, it’s just—” But he ignored her protests and tucked her securely under his arm.
    “You’re still afraid you’re going to wake up one morning and have to leave again?”
    “It’s inevitable.”
    “You need to get over that constant fear or you’re never going to be happy.”
    “I thought Quinn was your best friend?” She switched to a safer topic.
    “Sure, but there’s still an awkward wall between us. It’s very different with you. Our relationship is…you let me be me. And I’ve never had that.”
    “I’ve always felt so disconnected from everyone around me,” she said. “I don’t feel like that with you. It’s nice.”
    “And comforting.” He absently stroked her hair. “Most kids our age are so exhausting and immature.”   
    “Immature?” she snorted. “Aren’t you the guy who took the school bus out for a joyride with your football buddies after the last away game? And didn’t I hear something about racing trains? Not to mention you have half the girls in school begging for your attention with that fake Aidan crap.”
    “It’s an act, Allie. Surely you can see that by now?” he said.
    “But why? Fake Aidan’s an idiot. I like this guy.” She shoved him playfully. “But why does he only show up when we’re alone?”
    “Back atcha, Lex. You hide behind your humor and sarcasm, but you’re real with me.” He smiled. “And you’re not so scary.”
    “Could be if I wanted to,” she muttered, a little unnerved by how clearly he saw her.
    “Of that, I have no doubt,” he laughed.
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    “You’re disgusting!” Sasha shrieked as Aidan rummaged through the fridge.
    “Dude, you do stink,” Allie added in amusement.
    “Football practice got messy.” He stuffed half a club sandwich into his mouth. “I might have tackled Vince a few times just for fun.”
    “Aidan!”
    “The guy’s a douche.” He shrugged. “Want to stay for dinner? You can finally meet our parents.”
    “Sure.” 
    “Shouldn’t you be discussing that with me?” Sasha hissed.
    “Uh, I can just go home, Sash—”
    “Crap!” Sasha’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment. “I just meant…I…er, how does she do that?” she glowered as Aidan tried unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter.
    “Sometimes I feel like I’m just not surfing the same channels as you guys,” Allie sighed.
    “Hey, it’s my turn to cook this week.” Aidan shrugged out of his muddy shirt. “Want to help? You can just watch, uhh…I’ll do the actual cooking.” Since he was her unfortunate partner in their Culinary Arts class, she didn’t blame his caution.
    Allie took a moment to admire his tattoos when he grabbed a clean shirt from the laundry.
                  Did they change? Something was missing…
    “See something you like, sweetheart?” He grabbed her around the waist.
    “Yeah, the tattoos.” She gave him a shove. “They look different than I remember.”
    “Work in progress. I’ll show you the plan sometime. I was thinking you might draw my next one.” He quickly pulled the clean shirt over his head before they headed down to the grotto kitchen.
    She sat at the bar and watched as he pulled several trays from the fridge: steaks marinated in something that smelled wonderfully Mediterranean, chicken and beef kabobs with onions and brightly colored peppers, ribs and chicken.
    “That’s a lot of food for five people.”
    “Er…when it’s my week to cook, I like to do it all at once. How do you like your steak?”
    “Just short of