Dream Date

by Ivan Kendrick

  “I hope I can pull it off. I have a photographer friend, and she organized an event to showcase her work. But after attending the New York Fashion Week, I can see that organizing such an event is harder.”

  “I can help you with that. I wanted to tell you that you can let me know when you do host a fashion show. I’d be more than flattered to wear your designs.”

  Marissa looked awed.

  “That would be fantastic! You’re a great model. It would be a dream come true to design a dress for you.”

  Amanda raised her eyebrows.

  “You want to design me a dress?”

  “I’d love to. I mean, your body’s perfect. I can create a dress that’ll bring out the best in you.”

  “Thanks.”

  Marissa nodded, her expression suggesting her brain was already churning ideas. Amanda could practically hear the gears whirring.

  Just then, Amanda remembered something. It made her let out a soft laugh.

  “What is it?” Marissa asked.

  “I’m just remembering the fashion show. How I met Nathan.”

  “Oh?”

  “Has he spoken to you about me?”

  Marissa looked a little surprised by the sudden change of subject.

  “Yes. He’s completely smitten.”

  “I could tell.”

  “Nathan asked me about you on the phone. He really likes you.”

  Amanda was silent, thinking about it.

  “Do you like him?”

  “He seems like a real nice guy, but I don’t think I could handle a relationship right now.”

  “Why not? You’re gorgeous. I’m sure guys would love to date you.”

  “I know. I’m just too busy right now. I want to get my degree first.”

  Marissa fidgeted with her half-empty cup.

  “It wouldn’t hurt to have some fun, though. If I’m still single, it’s because I haven’t found the right guy yet.”

  “Ooh. And is this guy all buff and handsome with killer washboard abs?”

  Marissa blushed, trying not to laugh.

  “I don’t know. But answer my question. Do you like Nathan or not?”

  “It doesn’t matter. He has a girlfriend. I don’t steal other women’s guys.”

  Marissa nodded, liking the answer.

  “You’re single, right?”

  Amanda nodded.

  “I am.”

  “It’s surprising that such a beautiful gal like you is single. But you’re still young. I admire the way you’re focused on your studies.”

  “That’s a flattering compliment.”

  Amanda set down her empty cup on the coffee table and sighed.

  “Let’s move to other stuff. I’ll give you some of my contacts,” she said. Marissa and Amanda started talking about the latter’s contacts in the fashion world. Her modeling resume was impressive.

  “You’re so young, and you already have a portfolio to envy.”

  “Thanks,” Amanda said.

  A few moments later, Marissa was accompanied to the front door by Amanda.

  “It was a pleasure talking to you,” said the latter.

  “Ditto. I like you. Let’s keep in touch, shall we?”

  “Yeah. You have a good day.”

  “See you,” Marissa said, closing the door behind her as she left.

  After his work shift ended, Nathan returned to his dorm. As it was the weekend, there was cleaning to do. He went to his bedroom to tidy up.

  Nathan picked up a pair of worn socks and threw them into a basket he was carrying. After collecting other items from the floor, Nathan walked out of his bedroom. As he reached the living room area, there were knocks on the door. Nathan put the basket behind the sofa and went to answer.

  “Hi,” Kayla said.

  “Kayla! Come in.”

  “You’re alone here right now, aren’t you?” she asked as she walked in and Nathan closed the door.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I’m just curious,” Kayla said, throwing her arms around Nathan and pulling him close. “Guess what?”

  Nathan looked at Kayla, shaking his head.

  “I’ve finished making revisions to my novel!” she said, jumping twice in excitement.

  “That’s awesome!”

  “Yeah. I’m going to get ready to self-publish soon.”

  “You’re not signing a deal with a publisher?”

  “That doesn’t interest me right now. I like having total control over my work. I like to decide on the cover art, the release date, and other stuff.”

  “Have you got cover art yet?” Nathan asked as he and Kayla sat on the sofa.

  “I have some talented people working on it. They should contact me real soon.”

  “Fantastic. And your book trailer?”

  “I’ve already contacted the guy that’s helping me with it. Casting calls are starting as we speak.”

  “Can I be your hero?”

  Kayla smiled, giving Nathan a short kiss.

  “You already are.”

  Nathan chuckled.

  “I meant to ask if I can portray the role of your book’s protagonist.”

  “Um…Colton’s a blonde.”

  “You’re into blondes now?” he teased. Am I not into blondes myself? And I’m dating a ravenhead.

  “I don’t care much about looks. But yeah, my hero’s blonde and I don’t think you can pull off the look.”

  “Enlist Ashton, then. He’s blonde.”

  Kayla laughed.

  “You’re all too busy at school to be able to keep flying to and from New York.”

  “I know.”

  “You can beta-read the novel if you want to help.”

  Nathan nodded. This would be the second time he’d be beta-reading one of Kayla’s books.

  “It’ll be an honor. Just remind me what it’s about.”

  “Okay,” said Kayla, giving Nathan a plot summary of her novel. She said it would be book one in the first trilogy she’d write. Kayla had only published two books so far.

  “Your novel sounds interesting. Load it up on my Kindle and I’ll read it,” said Nathan, referring to the e-reader that Kayla had bought him during the summer. He only read occasionally, a habit he was looking forward to doing more often.

  “I’ll bring it to you later. And there’s something else. When the cover art’s finalized, I want you to be the first to see it. I’d love your opinion.”

  “That would be an honor,” Nathan said. “Though I’m not exactly the best go-to person when someone’s after artistic feedback.”

  “That doesn’t matter. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

  “By the way, what’s the title? For some reason, I’ve forgotten to ask you that.”

  Kayla told him the book’s title.

  “That sounds great. It fits.”

  “I decided on it after the third draft. I had tried other titles then, and I settled on this one.”

  “Have you announced the title on your Web site?”

  “Yes. And I’ll reveal the book cover soon.”

  Nathan stood up.

  “Would you like something to drink, or eat?”

  “No. Um…you know what? Why don’t we have dinner together? We seldom eat here.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Nathan said, taking Kayla’s hand and leading her to the kitchen. “What would you like?”

  “Anything.”

  Nathan searched the fridge.

  “I have lasagna. Is that okay?”

  “Yeah, love. I like Italian.”

  While the lasagna heated in the oven, Nathan and Kayla continued to talk.

  “There’s something else I want to tell you. And you’re going to like it,” she said.

  “What is it?”

  “I’ve been looking for apartments—with help from Claire—and I saw a couple of great ones. There aren’t too many apartments in the city, but these ones are the cream of the crop.”

  Nathan nodded. He and
Kayla had been making plans to live together. Weeks ago, Nathan would have been so delighted to move with her. Now, he felt apprehensive. Then Nathan reconsidered, and felt that living with Kayla would help him fall in love with her more easily.

  “That sounds great,” Nathan said, trying to feign excitement.

  “There’s this place that’s less than five minutes from the campus. Well, honestly, most of them are. They’re all close to school.”

  “I wouldn’t mind waking up early.”

  “They both seem like great places to live for the next two years. The one that’s farther is fantastic. We should go see it together one of these days.”

  “How about next week?”

  “Settled, then,” said Kayla, smiling.

  The lasagna was ready a few moments later. Kayla and Nathan began to eat.

  After a few minutes, Kayla looked at Nathan.

  “You seem off about something. Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

  “How about I give you a massage?”

  Nathan did a double-take.

  “What?”

  “A massage.”

  Nathan laughed, making Kayla giggle.

  “Tempting. But I’d rather be the one giving it.”

  “Okay.”

  Nathan’s jaw dropped.

  “You’re not kidding?”

  “Nathan, I’m your girlfriend. I’m serious.”

  That sounds irresistible. Only...I can’t help wondering what I would give to massage Amanda. If only we could be together.

  Nathan put his hand on his neck and turned it to untighten the muscles.

  “By the looks of it, it’s you who needs the massage,” Kayla remarked matter-of-factly. “Your bed, soon as we’re done here. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  Nathan thought for something to change the subject.

  “Have you talked to Grecia?”

  The corners of Kayla’s lips rose.

  “Yes.”

  “Ashton had a great story to share this morning. I’m not going to give you all the details, though. I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “I know Grecia kissed Ashton.”

  That statement made Nathan laugh.

  “Are they back together?”

  “I don’t know. Grecia wishes they were dating. The problem is Ashton.”

  “His problem is that he can’t help ogling every hot girl that walks past him.”

  “You know, I could write him into one of my books. Maybe one day.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Maybe. He could make a nice flawed hero.”

  Nathan thought for a moment.

  “I should tell him to treat Grecia carefully. That girl is a keeper. Ashton won’t find anyone like her if he loses her.”

  “You better do. I don’t want to see Grecia hurt. You should have seen her over these past couple of months.”

  “I heard how she spent her twenty-first birthday. Ashton didn’t seem to like that Grecia had drinks with another guy.”

  “He was jealous? Well, that’s a good sign.”

  “Damn right. Ashton’s never been jealous before.”

  Kayla raised her eyebrows. She and Nathan continued thinking about their friends’ rocky relationship.

  Amanda was in her hotel room, doing some of her schoolwork. As she read a chapter from her algebra textbook, the bell rang. Amanda waited until Hughes knocked on her door.

  “Ms. Tilley, your friend Brad is here.”

  At the sound of the name, Amanda hastily closed her textbook and put on a light jacket over her tank top. She slipped her sandals on and then walked to the living room.

  Brad was standing in front of the sofa. He turned when he heard Amanda approach.

  “Brad!” Amanda said, walking up to her best friend and hugging him. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m great. You?”

  “Yeah, kind of. A little busy.”

  “How many courses are you taking?”

  “Just five.”

  Brad nodded, rubbing his chin. Then he changed the subject.

  “Remember that I invited you to come see me at the sets once filming begins?”

  “Yep,” said Amanda, inviting Brad to sit down on the sofa. They both sat down.

  “Well, I’ve got somewhat bad news. You’re aware that films are seldom shot in the sequence the story takes place, right? That the first scene shot isn’t necessarily the first one in the script?”

  “Yeah?”

  “The filmmakers decided to start shooting in Europe. We won’t film the American scenes until after we’re done with that.”

  “That’s a shame. Does it mean you’ll be traveling?”

  “I will.”

  “When do they shoot the scenes that take place here in the U.S.?”

  “It’s unclear how long it’ll take. We have a one-week break on Christmas, but apparently there’ll still be quite a bit of shooting left to do. Lizzy told me the shooting in Europe would most likely take until late February to finish, at the earliest.”

  “Really? So you won’t be able to take me to the Arkansas set?”

  “Yeah, I will still take you. It’ll just take longer. Maybe you’ll spend spring break visiting the set with me.”

  Amanda thought about that.

  “That sounds like a good idea. It’ll be a nice change. My friends and I usually spend spring break at beaches.”

  “I’m glad you’re not disappointed. You wait. You’ll see the great Brad Dillingham in action.”

  “I can’t wait,” Amanda said, laughing.

  “It’ll be real fun. You’ll like it.”

  Amanda nodded, and then got lost in thought.

  “When are you getting back to Ithaca?”

  “Tomorrow. I have a live Twitter chat that my agent has arranged through his secretary. I’ll answer questions from my fans.”

  The next Monday, Nathan decided to eat alone. He didn’t exactly look forward to running into Amanda again. Nathan cooked a Hot Pocket in the microwave oven and then made himself a banana-and-vanilla shake in the blender.

  Something shook on the table. Nathan looked over and saw that it was his smartphone. He checked it and read the text message from Kayla. She wanted to know where he was.

  Having breakfast @ dorm. Would you like to come?

  Nathan hit send. In another minute, the Hot Pocket was ready, and he took it from the oven. He wasn’t sure what Kayla would want, so he just put another one to cook. He’d eat it if she didn’t want it.

  Kayla knocked on the door a few moments later. Nathan went to open it for her.

  “You’re not joining us?” was the first thing Kayla said as she entered.

  “I felt like something different.”

  “Like Hot Pockets?” she asked, sniffing the air as Nathan closed the door.

  “Would you like one?”

  “I already ate. I had a McDonalds Breakfast Platter, minus the biscuit. Ashton ate it.”

  “Hmm. How about some banana shake?”

  Kayla thought for a few seconds, and then nodded.

  “Yeah, just a little.”

  Nathan led Kayla to the kitchen.

  “I thought you’d eat with us,” she said. “I was going to tell them all about my new book.”

  “We’ll have lunch together, then. I’ll be there.”

  “Great. Oh, and I brought the eARC.”

  Kayla pulled a USB flash drive from her pocket and handed it to Nathan.

  “You can load that on your Kindle.”

  “Thanks,” Nathan said, pocketing the drive.

  “It doesn’t have the final cover art yet. I’m told that they’ll send it to me on Thursday. That day, I’ll put it on the book file and show it to our friends.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. When’s the official public reveal of the cover?”

  “The week after next.”

  Nathan calculated the date.

  “That’s
the week before Halloween.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And when does your book trailer premiere?”

  “Two weeks before Christmas, hopefully. There’s not much to shoot. I’m not making a movie, anyway.”

  Nathan handed Kayla her milkshake. She thanked him and drank some.

  “Mmm,” she said. “What do you use?”

  “Milk, banana, oatmeal, and cinnamon. Usually, I also add a little vanilla extract or chocolate, but since I’m eating Hot Pockets…”

  “I get it.”

  Nathan changed the subject.

  “What do you plan on dressing up as for next Halloween?”

  Kayla seemed taken by surprise by the question.

  “I really haven’t thought about it. My family doesn’t celebrate Halloween.”

  Nathan understood.

  “Mine doesn’t celebrate it, either. I just like to use the occasion to dress up.”

  “Nathan, besides, we’re juniors in college. I doubt anybody is going to dress up.”

  Nathan narrowed his eyes, smiling.

  “We had ice cream at the park, right?”

  Kayla blinked.

  “Yeah?”

  “What did I say about staying in touch with your inner child? Anyway, it’s not like we’ll go Trick-or-Treating. We’re just dressing up.”

  Kayla smiled, remembering something.

  “I haven’t dressed for Halloween since my senior year in high school.”

  Nathan found that curious.

  “Your friends didn’t go to the same college?”

  “No. I don’t have that many friends.” Kayla looked at Nathan, and shook her head. “I do fit the stereotypical recluse writer, don’t I?”

  “Recluse? You hang out with me and my friends all the time!”

  “I know, but you hardly ever see the few friends I have. Summer was the last time we saw them.”

  Nathan remembered.

  “Shawn and Delilah seemed great.”

  “Yeah. They’re awesome friends.”

  “They’re not a couple, right? I didn’t see them for long enough to figure that out.”

  “No. Shawn is single. Delilah’s dating a guy who works at a Michael’s arts store.”

  “When do you think we’ll see them next?”

  “Maybe on Christmas break,” Kayla said.

  Amanda walked distractedly to class with Hughes. She’d sat in the usual table she picked at Starbucks, part of her hoping she would see Nathan. Unfortunately, neither he nor his friends showed up. Amanda assumed he wasn’t happy with her after the way she treated him.