Taking her last chance before classes began, Amanda passed by the corridor perpendicular to the one where she knew Nathan had his first class. She peered around the corner. What she saw made her hopes fall.
Nathan was waiting outside with Kayla and Ashton. The first two looked only too happy. Amanda looked down and saw that Kayla and Nathan were holding hands. She said something to him, and then smiled.
Does Nathan really look happy, being with her? Or is he trying to look happy?
Hughes tapped Amanda on the shoulder. She turned to face him.
“Yes, Hugh…Kellan?” Amanda asked. They addressed each other by their first name at school to avoid drawing odd looks from the other students.
“You’ll run late.”
“I know,” said Amanda, looking back towards where Nathan and Kayla still stood. He had turned pensive, but looked up when the professor approached. He opened the door and let the students in. Kayla walked inside in front of Nathan, who had his hand in the small of her back.
“Amanda, if I may,” Kellan said. “I’m tasked to protect more than just your life. I’m also concerned about your emotional well-being. And what you’re doing right now—being masochistic—worries me.”
“What are you talking about?” Amanda asked in an attempt to throw him off. She started to walk back to class, and Kellan followed.
“I can see that you’re hurting because of that guy. And yet you pushed him away.”
“You did see he has a girlfriend, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Despite that, he’s still attracted to you. The way he saved you that day? That’s when I realized he feels something for you.”
“Back to my question.”
Kellan paused for a moment, thinking his next words thoroughly.
“My point is that I’m afraid you’re starting to hold out too much hope for what can’t be. And it hurts you.”
You’re damn right, you are. I have no idea what day I started to feel something for Nathan. It just bloomed out of nowhere. And I hate that. There can be no us.
“So?” was all Amanda could reply with.
“I don’t want to see anyone hurt you. You…you’ve grown on me. I care about your happiness.”
“Honestly, I’m okay, Kellan. I can deal with this.”
“Are you sure? Peering over corners, staring longingly at someone you can’t have isn’t exactly healthy.”
“I’ll keep it in check from now on, then. Now, if you excuse me, I have class.”
Kellan pursed his lips, still concerned. Amanda flashed him a smile to try to placate him. She then entered the classroom. Kellan turned and walked away.
Ashton found it tough to concentrate in class that day. He was thinking about Grecia, debating on whether he should let her have what she wanted. If she desired a serious relationship, Ashton was willing to try. He liked Grecia like no other woman.
The problem was with him. Ashton felt that Grecia deserved someone better, someone more…stable? Well, someone more reliable.
The situation was almost funny. Ashton had been waiting for his Mary Jane Watson for years, and now that he had met her, he didn’t feel worthy of her.
As Ashton’s eyes skimmed over the pages of the textbook he was supposed to read, he reminisced about the first time he met Grecia. It was during the summer. She and Kayla had arrived in the same flight. Nathan drove to the airport alone to meet them. A few days later, Kayla and Grecia had taken a tour of Cornell University with Nathan. Ashton caught up with them shortly afterward. From the moment he laid eyes on Grecia, Ashton had never been the same.
At the first opportunity, Ashton had managed to find Grecia alone. He walked up to her and broke the ice.
“Hi. You’re Kayla’s friend, right?”
“Yeah. You’re Nathan’s friend.”
Ashton nodded.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Grecia. Grecia Nichols,” she replied, offering her hand. Ashton shook it. Grecia’s hand was surprisingly soft. He didn’t want to let go.
“And you are?”
“Ashton. Ashton Robards.”
“Nice to meet you, Ashton,” Grecia replied. One of her eyebrows arched.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m wondering about your name. Ashton. Isn’t it a girl’s name?”
“No, my lady. It’s a man’s name.”
Grecia couldn’t help smiling at the answer. Ashton’s gaze dropped to her mouth. He worked to remember that smile forever.
When the bell rang, Ashton shook his head to clear his thoughts. He put his stuff inside his backpack and left the classroom when the teacher dismissed the class. It was his free hour, so Ashton went to look for Grecia. They had coordinated the same lunch hour…which was odd considering Ashton hadn’t planned a serious relationship.
During his hour-long lunch break, Nathan went to the library. He needed to check out a few books to study for his classes.
Nathan walked by the shelves, searching the books. He found the first one he needed and pulled it out. Nathan then walked along to a different row.
Just as he was scanning the spines of the books, Nathan sensed someone approaching him. He turned, and saw Kayla.
“Hi, Nathan,” she greeted him, placing her arms around him from behind and planting a kiss on his cheek.
“Someone’s happy today.”
“With you, I always am.”
Nathan gave her a quick peck on the lips.
“Are you looking for books, too?”
“Actually, I was looking for you. Oswald said you would be here.”
“Yeah. I have quite a bunch of stuff to study. It’s my third year, after all.”
“We’re both in third year.”
Nathan grabbed another couple of books and went to sit at a table. Kayla followed him, sitting down.
“What are you going to do when you get your bachelor’s in English?”
Kayla thought for a moment.
“I’ve been thinking about becoming a literary agent, or an editor. I could work either solo, or apply for a job at a publishing company.”
“Haven’t you thought about teaching English?”
Kayla grimaced.
“I don’t want to have to wake up before eight in the morning. That’s part of why I’m an indie author in the first place. I get to set my own hours.”
“You know, you’re tempting me to switch my career to yours.”
Nathan and Kayla laughed together, and then they looked around and remembered they were at the library.
“Oops,” Kayla said, looking self-conscious. She cleared her throat. “Change of subject. When would you like to go see apartments with me?”
“Whenever you’d like. How about tomorrow, after I return from work?”
“Great. I’ll call you.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll let you study now. I’m going to check out some books myself.”
Kayla stood up and walked to the shelves. Nathan opened a book and started reading it.
Shortly after, an absentminded Nathan looked up and gazed towards some shelves to his right. He saw Amanda browsing through the books. She was alone.
Nathan looked towards where Kayla had gone. He wondered where she’d walked off to. Then he looked back towards Amanda. She was still scanning the shelves, oblivious to his presence.
After a few seconds, Amanda seemed to feel Nathan’s gaze on her. She looked around, and then her eyes locked with his.
Nathan felt a combination of desire and longing as he looked at Amanda. He had to admit that she was the cutest, most beautiful creature in the whole world.
Amanda looked away, shaking her head. Nathan looked down at the opened book on the table in front of him. He mentally chastised himself.
You and Amanda can’t be together. And you have Kayla, a perfectly beautiful and amazing woman. You can’t do this to her.
Nathan looked up and scanned the area where he’d spotted Amanda. He located her c
lose by. She was at a table, putting away her stuff inside her messenger bag. Apparently, Amanda was leaving.
Nathan debated in his mind, weighing his options.
I don’t think I can live without Amanda. I love her too much. Even if I can’t be her boyfriend, at least I want her to be my friend.
Making his decision, Nathan put his stuff back into his backpack, leaving the library books behind. Without a second thought, Nathan followed Amanda outside. To his surprise, the sky was overcast. It looked like it was about to rain.
Amanda walked to the Libe Slope, where she sat down under a tree. When she saw Nathan approaching, she let out a gasp.
“Hi, Amanda. Can we talk?”
Amanda narrowed her eyes.
“I’m kind a busy right now,” she said, looking down at the couple of books on her lap.
“Just for a moment,” Nathan insisted.
Amanda pursed her lips, and then looked up. She put her books away inside her bag.
“You shouldn’t leave your girlfriend waiting.”
“Amanda, you don’t have to be so cold.”
“Why are you following me, then?”
“Just because I have a girlfriend doesn’t mean that I can’t talk to other women.”
“Talk is not all that you want to do with me. I’ve seen the way you check me out.”
“Can you blame me? Amanda, even though you told me you wanted nothing to do with me, I still want to be with you.”
“Nathan, you have a girlfriend!”
“I know! But I’m not married.”
Amanda looked at Nathan, her eyes trying to look into his mind. A drizzle was starting to fall around them.
“I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Fine. If you don’t want me around, tell me right now, and we’ll call this goodbye.”
Amanda closed her eyes, trying to conceal her feelings from Nathan. Then she looked up at him again.
“I never said anything about not wanting to be your friend. Just that you’d be better off if you didn’t take too much interest in me.”
Nathan’s heart sunk.
Okay, so those are her cards on the table? She doesn’t want more. And I thought she may have started to become attracted to me.
“What does that mean?”
That, although I shouldn’t, I do feel something for you, Amanda thought to herself.
“That I do want to be your friend. I just want you to be prepared for what it entails.”
“What, do you have paparazzi following you all over the place? Or any jealous ex-boyfriends?”
“First, I’m not that famous. I have a small—but devoted—group of fans. As for the ex-boyfriends, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“But, guys pick on me all the time. They give me free drinks, and I’m handed cards or pieces of paper often.”
“I don’t see why I should be concerned about that. All you want is to be my friend, right?”
“Yeah. I’m telling you that because I have a request to make you.”
Nathan nodded, sighing.
“What is it?”
Amanda picked up her stuff and stood up, facing him. Her expression was serious, unperturbed by the rain that was pouring on them both. She brushed a wet lock of hair away from her face.
“We can only be friends. Nothing more.”
Damn. If only you knew that I love you.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, Amanda. Don’t ask me to make promises I can’t keep.”
Amanda’s eyes widened.
“You can’t say that, Nathan. If your girlfriend hears you, it could be hell for you.”
“I’m aware of that. It’s just…you are too tempting. I’m afraid I might lose yourself with you sooner or later.”
Nathan looked into Amanda’s eyes. He tried to read her expression, but couldn’t. She blinked, both from the water and from trying to avoid meeting his gaze.
“Are you saying you fancy me?”
Nathan scoffed.
“What guy who knows you exist doesn’t?” he asked, closing the distance between them. Amanda’s gaze dropped to his lips.
“Nathan,” she breathed, her heartbeat increasing.
“You want to be just friends?” he asked. His gaze dropped to her mesmerizing lips. “I definitely can’t pull that off.”
Amanda closed her eyes, wishing that she and Nathan could love each other freely. She had to face reality.
“Stop,” she said, taking a couple of steps back. “You can’t desire me. I won’t have you cheating on your girlfriend on my behalf.”
“You can’t blame me. I like you too much.”
Nathan started coming closer to Amanda, slower this time. He gauged her reaction.
“That’s dangerous,” Amanda said, switching back and forth between looking at his lips and then at his eyes.
“Damn right, you are. You’re dangerous to me,” he said, stopping just a few inches from her face. Despite the rain, he could breathe in her scent. Amanda smelled very appealing, like vanilla. And flowers. Nathan’s eyes swept over her skin, which glistened with raindrops. He was using every bit of his restraint to keep from touching it.
So intoxicating. I long to know what her skin feels like under my lips.
Amanda did a double-take, and then she pushed Nathan in the chest. He staggered back, looking at Amanda with his eyebrows furrowed.
“What?”
“I told you, Nathan,” she said, panting. “We can be no more than friends. If you can’t respect my wishes, then do follow my earlier advice and stay away.”
“Wait!” he told Amanda, grabbing her by the arm to prevent her from leaving. “Are you going to deny that you like me, too?”
Amanda scoffed.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Amanda freed herself and walked away. Nathan stood there, frozen, until she disappeared around a building.
What have I done?
Nathan covered his face with his hands, and then shook his head. Too tense to think about studying, he went back to his dorm instead of returning to the library. There was no way he could go back there now anyway, with his clothes dripping wet.
I hope I didn’t screw up. Why couldn’t I just accept to be Amanda’s friend and leave it at that? I’d much rather be her friend than nothing.
Moments later, Nathan found himself outside the door to his dorm. He let himself in. A quick check told him Ashton wasn’t there.
Nathan went to his bedroom and lay back on his bed without even changing his clothes. He needed some peace and quiet to think.
Amanda looked at the sky. She was resting against the hood of her car, lost in thought.
If she was being honest with herself, Amanda had wanted that kiss, more than she knew she should. She touched two fingers to her lips, wondering what it would feel like to be kissed again. The last significant person to ever kiss Amanda was her late boyfriend. The guy from Paris who stole a kiss from Amanda didn’t count. Neither did the guy she almost had a one-night stand with.
Amanda sat up, her arms supporting her. She looked down at her legs, her feet dangling above the ground in front of the car. She let out an exasperated sigh.
Even if Nathan were single, Amanda still couldn’t think of getting serious with him. She didn’t know what Hilbert might do to him. Hilbert definitely struck Amanda as the jealous type. She wouldn’t put it past him to kidnap Nathan, or to try to buy him off.
Maybe I should find someone, Amanda thought, the idea seeming appropriate. Someone to keep myself from falling for Nathan before it’s too late.
Amanda rolled her eyes.
Yeah, I’ll spare Nathan from the danger, but put someone else in danger.
At that moment, Amanda received a text. She checked her smartphone. The message was a reminder that she had a Twitter question-and-answer chat with fans that evening. Amanda typed her reply to Hilbert’s secretary and put the phone back
in her purse.
Amanda looked to her side. Kellan was leaning against the driver-side door of the car. She got off the hood and stood up. Kellan looked over at her.
“Let’s go home now,” she told him.
Kellan nodded, walking with Amanda to open her door. After she was in, Kellan walked to his side. He entered and started the car.
It took Amanda a few minutes to realize that Kellan wasn’t heading to the apartment.
“Hughes, where are you taking me?”
“I can feel you’re upset, Ms. Tilley. So I thought a bit of distraction would be a good idea.”
“It’s Monday. I have homework to do. Not to mention the Twitter live chat.”
“You can spare the time. I didn’t say I would keep you out until night.”
Amanda frowned, not exactly happy with the plan. She wanted alone time to decide whether she was doing the right thing.
When Kellan stopped the car and Amanda saw where he’d brought her, she raised her eyebrows.
“Bowling?” she asked, incredulous. “Seriously?”
“Hey, why not?” Kellan asked, getting out of the car and then walking around to open Amanda’s door. “You could use some fun.”
The corners of Amanda’s lips turned up.
“Unless you had another idea, Ms. Tilley?” he asked as they started walking to the restaurant/entertainment venue.
“This is okay,” Amanda said, walking forward. Kellan held her by her arm as they walked. She peered at him out of the corner of her eye.
Why not him?
Once inside, Kellan walked Amanda straight to the bowling area.
“Have you been here before, Hughes?”
“Yes, Ms. Tilley. I sometimes come here when it’s Grayson’s turn to escort you. We have an hour before his turn, so let’s make the most of this.”
“An hour?”
“Yeah, Grayson’s taking his shift a bit earlier today. I have to report for training.”
Amanda nodded.
“Are we going to eat?”
“No. Let’s focus on having fun, all right?”
“Okay,” said Amanda, smiling.
Ten minutes into their game, Amanda was beating her bodyguard by a slight margin. He was pretty skilled.
Dream Date Page 14