“Sure,” Caldwell said, actually smiling. He was so intimidating that it was almost odd to see him with a friendly face.
“Thanks.”
“No problem, Mr. Ferland.”
Caldwell opened Amanda’s door and walked inside. Nathan turned to head to the campus. He only had two gifts left to deliver. The last one would be the best.
Amanda used her lunch break to go to Starbucks. She wanted to use her computer to search for a gift for Nathan. He’d already left a handful of gifts to her, and she hadn’t given him one yet.
What do I give him?
Nathan often told Amanda that he had everything just by her being at her side. It was romantic.
Then Amanda had an idea. She went to an online store to search for interior decorations. Maybe a pair of stylish bookends, or a chess set, since he was intellectual.
Those sound more like birthday gifts. Maybe I should postpone them and think about something more romantic.
“Kellan, give me some help here,” Amanda called. Kellan had seated a couple of tables from her. He stood up and sat opposite Amanda in the table.
“How can I help you?”
Amanda drank some of her coffee, thinking.
“I want to give Nathan a Valentine’s Day gift, but I can’t think of anything.”
Kellan nodded. He picked up his own cup of coffee.
“What does he like?”
“Nathan’s kind of intellectual. A bit nerdy, you know? I want his gift to be memorable, something that’s romantic but not corny.”
Kellan thought for a moment, while Amanda browsed the Internet for ideas.
“Would you consider Nathan your biggest fan?”
Amanda thought about that.
“Yes. He’ll always cheer and root for me.”
“Okay. So, what would Amanda Tilley’s biggest fan want the most?”
“I’m not following.”
“Right. Let me put it this way. What if this random guy was a big fan of his celeb crush? What would he want from her the most?”
Amanda thought the question was easy.
“The chance to see her in person?”
“Good. Another one?”
“Um…a date with her?”
“That one too. Can you think of anything else?”
Amanda thought about her own fans. They liked it when she posted new photos and videos, and loved to have her interact with them. Amanda replied to comments on Twitter and Instagram every once in a while. And lately, her calendar had sold hundreds of copies.
“A memento?”
Kellan smiled.
“Right! If this random guy told his friends he met, say, Taylor Swift, they wouldn’t believe him. Not unless Taylor gave him something to remember her by.”
“So, you’re saying I should give Nathan an object to remember me by? But we’re not parting ways.”
“I know, but some guys like to have an object from their love. A thoughtful gift, preferably something small and durable.”
“To be a talisman?” Amanda asked.
“Yes. Or it can be a reminder. Everyone has their bad days now and then. This tangible reminder of their significant other can be a source of comfort.”
Amanda considered Kellan’s suggestion, thinking of a small token she could give Nathan. Her first idea was a necklace or something. Amanda knew that Nathan didn’t wear jewelry, so she wondered what he would like.
“Do you have any other ideas?”
Kellan nodded. He grinned when the idea crossed his mind.
“Wash his car.”
Amanda’s eyes widened.
“What?” she asked, laughing. “I can’t believe you just suggested that.”
“I’m serious. You’re a smoldering woman, Amanda. Guys absolutely love to see a bombshell wash their car. Find me a guy who hasn’t fantasized about that and I’ll give you ten grand.”
“That’s quite racy for me, Kellan.”
“You’ve done racy photo shoots before.”
Amanda sighed, feeling nervous.
“We’re in the middle of winter, anyway. I’ll freeze outside if I try to wash a car.”
Kellan frowned.
“I hadn’t thought of that. Well, you can always save it for his birthday.”
Amanda had to admit the idea intrigued her.
“I know!” Kellan said, clicking his fingers. “No guy would refuse this gift.”
“Which one?”
“Let him give you a massage. It’s win-win.”
Amanda shook her head.
“I should have asked Emmy for help on this.”
Kellan laughed.
“You wanted romantic gift suggestions for a guy, so who better to ask than a guy?”
“I guess you’re right.”
When Amanda returned to the apartment building, she lingered outside for a bit. The weather was pleasant enough that she wouldn’t freeze.
Amanda sat under a tree. She pulled out her phone from inside her purse, as well as some earbuds. Amanda put them on and played some music.
Time passed. Amanda thought about the best gift for Valentine’s that she could give Nathan. She was considering another photo shoot, but more romantic. The memento idea was also good.
Sitting there, Amanda didn’t hear the footsteps that approached. When a pair of feet came into her view, Amanda looked up. It was Emmy.
“Hi, friend,” Amanda said, removing her earbuds.
“I wondered where you’d gone to.”
“I was just here, relaxing. What’s up?”
“You haven’t been up to our apartment, have you?”
“No.”
Is it about what I’m thinking? Amanda thought.
“There’s something waiting for you again. I think you should check it out.”
“Yeah.”
Amanda followed Emmy upstairs. Then they entered their apartment. Amanda looked around. Emmy pointed to the coffee table. There was a box on top of it.
“What will it be today?” Emmy asked. Amanda had already showed her the previous gifts. Emmy refused to eat any of the chocolates. She claimed that they were just for Amanda.
Amanda tore the wrapping. Then she opened the box. It contained a USB flash drive.
“He knows what you like.”
Amanda went to her bedroom to retrieve her tablet computer. She returned to the living room with Emmy. They both sat on the sofa. When the computer was ready, Amanda inserted the drive.
“They’re photos,” she said, double-clicking on one. The image appeared on the screen. It showed Amanda at the ice skating rink.
“You guys went skating?” Emmy asked.
“Yes. It was during our winter break.”
Amanda looked at the other photos. They all seemed to be memories of her and Nathan, things that they had done together.
“For a couple who have only been dating for a few months, you sure are photogenic.”
Amanda laughed. There were over a hundred photos in the flash drive. Several of them were of the little shoot that Amanda had done for Nathan. When she had looked at all the photos, she closed the image viewer.
“There’s also a note,” said Emmy. Amanda looked at a text document. Inside was a note from Nathan.
“This is so that you always remember every moment that we spent together. Let’s share a lot more. I love you forever, Nathan,” Amanda read out loud. She sighed, almost starting to cry with emotion.
“You’ve got a keeper, friend. I can’t wait to see what other gifts Nathan has for you.”
“Me too.”
“Amanda, you must let me take you shopping,” said Emmy. “I’ve been trying to convince you all week. Let’s go tomorrow, okay?”
“What for?”
“Clothes! You need to look gorgeous for Nathan.”
“I already have a lot of stuff to wear.”
“Yes, but you need something special.”
“Why don’t you just look through my wardrobe? You can help me p
ick a nice dress.”
“That’s a good idea, too. Let’s go.”
Emmy walked toward Amanda’s room. The latter laughed to herself. She unplugged the flash drive and put it in her pocket. Amanda knew just how she was going to care for it.
On Valentine’s Day, Nathan stopped by Amanda’s apartment. They still had classes, so they would only have half of the day for themselves.
Nathan knocked on the door. Amanda answered.
“Are you ready to go?” Nathan asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll take you in my car. Kellan and Caldwell will follow behind us.”
Amanda and Nathan left the apartment. They met her bodyguards outside. The four of them walked to the parking lot.
When they got to Cornell, Nathan saw that he and Amanda weren’t the only couples celebrating. They were walking hand in hand. Other couples were doing the same. A guy walked alone, holding a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Amanda also saw a large teddy bear with a red heart inside someone’s SUV.
“We’ll see a lot more of this during lunch,” Nathan told Amanda.
“I hope you’re one of them.”
“You do? Then I’ll run and get you the biggest teddy bear I can find.”
“No, please!” Amanda said, mocking alarm. “I don’t want to have to call a tow service.”
Nathan laughed.
“We have a reservation today at eight.” Nathan told Amanda the name of the restaurant. “You’ll have plenty of time to get there.”
“Eight. Got it.”
Nathan took Amanda’s hand, caressing her fingers.
“I’ll make this the best day you’ve ever had.”
Amanda closed the distance between them. She gave Nathan a short kiss.
“All the best days of my life have been the ones I’ve spent with you.”
Nathan ran a finger across Amanda’s lips.
“I would hope not. Just the good days, my love.”
Amanda’s brow furrowed. She then chuckled.
“You’ve got a point.”
At that moment, Amanda remembered what she had in her purse. She stopped, opening it. Nathan looked back, waiting for Amanda.
“I have a gift for you,” she said. Nathan walked toward her. Amanda pulled out a small box from her purse. It was wrapped in paper.
“Thanks,” Nathan said. He weighed the box.
“Open it.”
Nathan tore the paper. He saw that the box inside was akin to those that jewelry came in. Nathan lifted the lid. He saw a gold charm inside. It was a rounded rectangle, almost one-fourth the size of a business card. A short chain linked it to a keychain ring.
“You got me a charm?”
“See what’s inside.”
Intrigued, Nathan opened the charm. Inside was a photo of Amanda’s face. It looked recent. There was also engraved writing on the side opposite the charm’s lid. It read, “Two is better than one.”
“That’s our song,” Nathan said. He’d first played it to Amanda at Joliet, during a moment they spent alone. The song was among ‘their’ playlist. “And you knew my favorite photo of you.”
“Do you like it?”
“Like it? Sweetheart, it’s perfect!”
Amanda beamed.
“I wanted to get you a smartwatch, but none of them work with Windows Phones like yours. And I know you’re too macho to wear a locket around your neck.”
“Ha.”
“So I got you this for your keychain.”
“I love you,” Nathan said. He put his arms around Amanda, and kissed her. By the time he finished, she began hyperventilating. Nathan grinned. He then attached the charm to his keychain.
Amanda could hardly concentrate during classes that day. She was eagerly anticipating what Nathan had in store for her that day.
The instructors could feel the lack of attentiveness from their students. It was both Valentine’s Day and a Friday, so most of the students were too distracted. Three of Amanda’s instructors just went through reviews of material already covered.
When the last bell finally rang, Amanda quickly put away her books. The instructor dismissed the class, and Amanda was one of the first out. She was eager to find out what Nathan’s gift was that day.
Amanda exited the building. She adjusted her messenger bag and made her way to the parking lot. Just around the corner of the building, she ran into Christopher.
“Home girl!” he greeted, smiling. “So you’re out of class too.”
“Yeah. I can’t wait to get home.”
“Really? Thank God it’s Friday?”
Amanda nodded.
“You could say that.”
Christopher laughed.
“Listen. Are you free this afternoon?”
Amanda’s look turned to confusion. She considered the question, and thought Christopher seemed hopeful.
“Definitely not. Nathan and I are spending the day together.”
“I see.”
“You should do the same, too,” Amanda said. “It’s your chance to impress Judith.”
Christopher scoffed, shaking his head.
“What, you don’t like her?”
“No, it’s not that. She’s pretty. It’s just…”
“What?”
“I wanted to tell you. There’s…another girl.”
Amanda’s mouth opened slowly. She sighed.
“Oh, no, you’ve got to be kidding. You’re not messing with Judith, too!”
“I’m not messing with her,” Christopher assured. “It’s just…I like her, but she can hardly stand the sight of me.”
“Just give her time. Girls like Judith need patience. It would impress her if you waited.”
“That’s not the problem. I would wait for her. It’s just that…I’m really into this other girl. She’s…gorgeous, you know. So hard to resist. Every time I see her, I want to carry her in my arms and kiss her like no one’s business.”
“Wow,” Amanda said, starting to get suspicious. “That didn’t take long. You’ve only been here a month.”
“It was love at first sight. Sort of.”
Christopher appeared sincere. Amanda put an arm on his shoulder, and smiled.
“Who is she? Would I know her?”
Christopher hesitated. He put his hands inside the pockets of his pants.
“Why don’t we have coffee or something? I’d rather talk with you somewhere inside.”
Amanda tried to figure out what time it was. She felt that she hardly had enough time for Christopher.
“Please?” he asked, putting on a puppy-eyes look. Amanda stifled a laugh.
“Only if you make it quick.”
“I promise. My apartment is not far from here.”
Amanda let out a guffaw. Christopher chuckled.
The two drove in their own cars back to Lansing West. They walked together into their building, followed by Kellan and Caldwell.
Amanda let Christopher into her apartment. She put her messenger bag on the side of the sofa.
“Emmy, are you in?”
Amanda and Christopher waited for a moment. She walked in from her bedroom.
“I got here a few minutes ago,” Emmy told them. “Hi, Christopher.”
“Hi,” he replied.
“I’m heading out for…something,” said Emmy, starting toward the door.
“Do you have a date?” Amanda asked.
“I wish. But I doubt Brad would come here again. I was just going to buy myself some chocolates, since no one’s gifting me any.”
Christopher and Amanda laughed. Emmy smiled, and then she waved her hand.
“See you guys later.”
Amanda turned to Christopher after Emmy left.
“What would you like? There’s no coffee, but I can brew some.”
“No, that’s okay. May I get some water?”
“Of course. I’ll go get it.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Christopher said, grabbing Amanda’s arm. “
I’ll get it. Sit down. You look tired.”
Anxious is more like it, Amanda thought.
“Okay. There’s bottled water in the refrigerator. I also have a small jug of room-temperature water.”
“Thanks.”
Christopher walked to the kitchen. He took a peek behind him, seeing Amanda sit down. Christopher opened cabinets until he found one with glasses inside. There was also a water jug, just as Amanda had said. Christopher filled two glasses. Then he returned to the living room. Christopher handed Amanda a glass. She thanked him.
“Cheers,” he said to Amanda as they clanked glasses. She laughed.
“What, are we toasting?”
Christopher shrugged, drinking some water. Amanda did the same.
“So, who’s the girl?”
“You’d find it hard to believe if I told you.”
“Chris, don’t be so difficult. What, is she older than you or something? Not that I’d judge.”
“No!” Christopher said, laughing. “It’s just that…well, I don’t know if she’ll ever notice me.”
“Why? You’re good-looking. And you’re super cool.”
“Thanks,” Christopher said. He watched as Amanda drank some more water. There was a faint trace of guilt in his expression, but she didn’t notice.
“What’s her name?” Amanda asked. Christopher took a deep breath.
Without warning, Christopher moved forward and kissed Amanda. Her eyes went wide in shock. She placed her hands on his chest, pushing.
“W-what are you doing?” Amanda asked when she freed herself. She was staring at Christopher with a dismayed expression. He looked unapologetic.
“Her name’s Amanda Tilley.”
Amanda didn’t look amused.
“Have you gone mad?”
“Yeah, you could say so. Mad with love.”
Amanda stood up, looking away. Christopher moved toward her.
“I’m dating Nathan, Chris. For God’s sake, had you forgotten that, or did you choose to ignore it?”
“Second reason. Amanda, I’m taking this risk because I really like you. You’re…dazzling.”
“Christopher, I’ve had enough of guys wanting me just for my body.”
“No, no, it’s not just that! I like the way you are, too. I think you’re super cool as well.”
“Stop it. Right there,” Amanda said. She touched a hand to her forehead. Her vision was blurring, making her feel drowsy.
“Are you all right?” Christopher asked, trying to make his concern genuine.
Devoted to Her (Dream Date Book 2) Page 16