“What matters is that you passed. Next fall, you’ll be entering your sophomore year. Can you believe it? Time does fly quickly.”
Emmy smiled knowingly at Florence.
“I’ll go take these to my room,” Amanda told her friends. She went upstairs to do so. A few moments later, she came back. Amanda’s mother and friends were sitting on the sofa, talking.
“Are you feeling tired, Amanda?” Emmy asked.
“Not a bit. I’m itching to find out what Nathan has planned for today.”
Judith half-smiled.
“Are you girls leaving now?” asked Florence.
“Yes. We’re driving Amanda there.”
“Okay. You have a good time.”
Emmy and Judith stood up. They walked to the front door with Amanda.
“See you, mom!”
“See you, sweetie.”
Once outside, Amanda turned to Emmy.
“Where are we going?”
“To get mani-pedis,” Judith replied. “It’s my gift to you, actually. You’ll have your hair styled, too.”
“Sounds great. Thank you.”
Amanda, Judith, and Emmy entered the latter’s car. They headed for Amanda’s favorite beauty salon.
Nathan stood in front of a mirror in his bathroom. He was making the last adjustments to his tie and suit. Today, Amanda would not only be celebrating her birthday. Nathan also had a big surprise for her.
The birthday dinner would be held in a fine Italian restaurant. Amanda’s parents had let Nathan know her favorite type of food. Only Amanda’s close friends and acquaintances would attend. Nathan had planned it for the last month with her parents.
A few minutes later, Nathan walked into the living room. Jeffrey was on the sofa, watching TV. He looked up when he sensed his son.
“You look handsome, Nathan,” Jeffrey said, standing up. “I’m glad to see you so happy.”
“I didn’t overdress, right, Dad?”
“No. You would make a nice cake figurine, though.”
Nathan guffawed, shaking his head.
“I’m not even wearing black,” he said. Nathan looked down at his blue suit jacket. His trousers were graphite. “We should go to the restaurant now. I want to be there before Amanda arrives.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Jeffrey and Nathan walked to the latter’s car. He drove them to the restaurant. During the drive, Nathan thought about what he was going to do. He felt nervous, but happy at the same time. After all that he and Amanda had been through, Nathan felt sure about how much he loved her.
The drive to the restaurant didn’t take long. Once there, Nathan led Jeffrey to the entrance.
“How many people are coming?”
“I’m not sure, but it should be over a dozen. You’re going to meet new faces.”
“I just hope I can get their names straight. By the way, how’s Ashton been doing?”
“He’s okay. He’s dating Grecia now.”
Jeffrey raised his eyebrows.
“Grecia?”
“Kayla’s friend. I realize you haven’t had a chance to get to know them.”
Inside, there were a few people already. Some of them were random customers. Nathan had chosen a restaurant with plenty of space for Amanda’s birthday guests. They had reserved a few tables in a corner. Marissa, Jonathan, Kellan, Ashton, and Claire were already there.
“Nathan!” said Marissa. They walked in each other’s direction. She hugged him. “It’s great to see you!”
“Ditto. You look great.”
Marissa pulled from the embrace. She smiled.
“Thanks. You look dashing, too. Wait until Amanda gets here. She won’t have eyes for another guy.”
“That’s the idea.”
Marissa laughed. Just then, she saw Jeffrey standing behind Nathan.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Ferland!”
“Thanks. You’re Marissa, aren’t you?”
“The very same.”
“It’s great to see you again. Nathan tells me you’re building quite a career for yourself.”
“He’s too sweet.”
Nathan laughed.
“Come on, Nathan. You have to meet the singer.”
Nathan looked confused. Jeffrey went to sit down on a table. After excusing herself, Marissa led him toward one of the tables. There was a man sitting there with Kellan. He looked to be in his late twenties. The man looked up when Nathan and Marissa approached the table.
“Hi, Cam. This is Nathan, the guy who came up with the whole idea.”
Cameron nodded to Nathan. They shook hands. Nathan and Marissa greeted Kellan as well.
“You’re the guy who composed the song I ordered done for my girlfriend?”
“Yes. Marissa told me you’ve listened to it.”
“I have. It turned out terrific, man. You did such a great job.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope you don’t mind that we took so long. There were just a few…misunderstandings.”
“Don’t sweat it. I was sure that no lady in her right mind would leave her boyfriend if he loved her enough to have such a gift done for her.”
“Thankfully, you were correct.”
Nathan turned to Kellan. The latter had his left arm in a sling. Kellan’s face no longer looked beat-up, but there still were a few scars.
“It’s good to see you around again. Amanda told me that you’re getting better.”
“I am. You have no idea how I itched to get out of the hospital bed. That woman got me good.”
“Luckily, you’re back on your feet now,” said Marissa.
“Yes. I’m still not completely well, though. In my condition, I don’t know if I can still be a bodyguard.”
“Amanda may still keep you as her aide or driver. I know her. She’ll feel deeply indebted to you,” Nathan told Kellan. “By the way, I never thanked you for protecting my girlfriend. You kept Amanda safe when I couldn’t.”
“I was just doing my job.”
Marissa and Nathan excused themselves and walked to the next table. Claire and Ashton were sitting there, along with Nathan’s father.
“How are you, guys?” Nathan asked, shaking hands with all of them.
“Great. Thanks.”
The group sat down.
“Who is the guy you were talking to? I’ve never seen him before,” Claire said.
“He’s the one who composed the song I’m dedicating to Amanda.”
“That’s so romantic! I’m so going to tell Oswald to do something for me like that one day.”
Marissa and Nathan laughed. Claire waved her hand as if she meant her statement as a joke.
“Where’s Oswald, by the way?” asked Marissa.
“He couldn’t join us today. Oswald is in his hometown. Family matters.”
Nathan nodded.
“Your dad was just telling us about moving to another house, and his new auto shop,” said Claire, changing the subject. Nathan looked at his father.
“I also told them about the new guy I hired to help me out. I’m already getting a bit old.”
Jeffrey had told Nathan about the new guy. He was an auto aficionado, sort of like Ashton. Only, the guy was older than Kellan and had job experience.
“So, the business is still going strong?” Marissa asked Jeffrey.
“Yep. I have no intention of retiring any time soon.”
Claire looked toward the entrance. Emmy and Judith had just arrived.
“Hi, everyone!” said Emmy. She spotted Nathan and walked to his table. “Amanda is on her way. She should be here in a couple of minutes.”
Nathan took a deep breath. Marissa covered one of Nathan’s hands with hers.
“Don’t faint now, friend.”
Nathan chuckled.
“You wait until Amanda hears the song. I’m going to immortalize the moment on video.”
Marissa squeezed Nathan’s hand. She then stood up and went back to Jonathan’s table. Emmy and
Judith were also there.
Sure enough, the Tilleys got to the restaurant as Marissa had predicted. When Nathan looked at Amanda, he lost his breath. She looked gorgeous.
“The birthday girl is here,” William announced. The entire group’s attention was focused on them now. Nathan stood up, walking toward Amanda.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Tilley,” he said. William shook hands with Nathan.
“Good afternoon.”
“My, you look dashing,” said Florence. “We’re so glad our daughter found you, Nathan.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Tilley.”
Nathan proceeded to shake hands with Harold and Mildred. Ryan followed.
“How are you doing, Ryan?” Nathan asked. They shook hands.
“Great, man. Thanks.”
Nathan and Amanda looked at each other. He took her hand. She looked magnificent in her green-and-gold, flowing dress. It hugged Amanda’s curves nicely, and the skirt had a slit on the side. The tank top bared her shoulders, which were partially covered by the dress’s thin straps.
“Happy birthday, my love. You look amazing.”
“Thanks, Nathan.”
The Tilleys walked toward the last, unoccupied table. They had reserved four tables for themselves and their guests. Before sitting down, all of the guests stood up.
“Happy birthday!” they greeted. Amanda smiled.
“Thank you, guys. It’s great to see you all here.”
Amanda greeted each of the guests. When she saw Kellan, she beamed.
“Kellan! You’re walking!”
Kellan smiled. He gave Amanda a tight hug.
“Thanks to you, I’m here today. I owe you for taking care of me.”
“Kellan, you don’t owe me anything. You saved my life, and I’ll always be thankful for that.”
“No problem. I just did my duty.”
“Is it possible for you to take back your job?”
Kellan shook his head.
“My injuries were too extensive. I don’t think I can be a bodyguard again.”
Amanda pursed her lips.
“I still don’t want you to lose your job. As I don’t model anymore, I’m not busy enough to need an aide. However, my parents could use your help.”
Kellan turned to look at the Tilleys. William nodded at him.
“Whatever you need, son, count on us. We owe you for saving our daughter’s life.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kellan said, nodding. He turned back to Amanda.
“My family also asked me to tell you happy birthday. They couldn’t be here.”
“That’s okay.”
Kellan nodded. He then excused himself and went to talk to Caldwell.
Claire then walked up to Amanda.
“You look radiant, birthday girl,” she said.
“A woman never looks more beautiful than when she’s happiest,” Nathan said, kissing Amanda’s hand.
“I’m glad things worked out between you two. You were meant to be together.”
“Nathan and I would have never broken up if it wasn’t for that woman scorned,” Amanda replied. “I’m sorry for doubting your love, Nathan.”
“Don’t be. All that matters is that we’re happy now.”
Everyone sat down. The Tilleys got their own table. Nathan sat with his father, Claire, and Ashton. A couple of waiters arrived with their food a few moments later. With them came a new arrival.
“Look!” Emmy said to Amanda. They turned to see who had just gotten there. It was Brad.
“Friend!” Amanda said. She stood up. Brad hugged her when he reached her table. “You made it.”
“The movie has finished shooting, but either way, I wouldn’t have missed your birthday.”
“I’m glad to see you here. You showed up just in the nick of time.”
Brad chuckled. He and Amanda glanced at the waiters serving the food.
“I’ll give you your gift later, okay?”
“Sure. Sit down wherever you like.”
Brad nodded. He sat down in Emmy’s and Judith’s table. Amanda returned to her seat.
After passing the time with conversation, the group finished eating. Marissa poked Nathan’s shoulder to get his attention.
“I think it’s time,” she said. Nathan looked toward Amanda. She looked at them quizzically.
“What’s going on?”
“I have a special gift for you. Cameron?”
Cameron pulled out a guitar from a case he’d put under the table where he was seated. He then stood up.
“This is an original song that I wrote on Nathan’s request,” Cameron told them. “It’s called The Date of My Dreams, and it’s dedicated to Amanda Tilley.”
Amanda looked at Nathan, awed. With the first chords, Cameron started the song. Everyone quieted down to listen, even the other restaurant customers. The song had an alt-rock feel with a romantic touch to it. To Nathan’s surprise, Claire and a few of the others started doing dance moves while on their seat. Amanda was beaming. Nathan grabbed her hand, squeezing it.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The song played for almost three minutes. Cameron ended with an extended note, which faded out. Nathan pulled Amanda to him for a short kiss.
“Did you like my gift?”
“Yes! Thank you, thank you. It was wonderful!”
“I knew you’d like it,” Nathan said. “Thanking Marissa is also in order. She helped me.”
Amanda looked toward Marissa. The latter winked, showing a thumbs-up.
“I loved the song. It was beautiful.”
Nathan took both of Amanda’s hands. He looked at her, taking a deep breath.
“I have another gift for you.”
Amanda’s eyes widened. Nathan kneeled in front of her. Amanda brought a hand to her mouth, realizing what he was about to do. Nathan pulled out something from his suit pocket. It was a small, black box. Nathan didn’t look away from Amanda.
“I love you more than I could possibly love any other woman, Amanda. You mean everything to me in the whole universe.” Nathan opened the box. Everyone was silent. Amanda looked at the gorgeous silver diamond ring that Nathan held. He continued. “Would you, Amanda Victoria Tilley, make me the happiest man ever by becoming my fiancée?”
Amanda was so excited that she began to cry in happiness. She nodded, and joy flashed in Nathan’s eyes.
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes. I will marry you.”
Nathan grabbed Amanda’s left hand. He slid the ring on her finger. She lifted her hand up to look. The middle diamond was large. Two smaller emeralds flanked it. There were also tiny diamonds on the ring band.
“It’s dazzling, love,” Amanda said.
“The emeralds represent your dazzling eyes. And the diamond is radiant cut…for a radiant woman.”
Nathan and Amanda kissed each other. Everyone else whooped and clapped their hands at them.
“Congratulations!” Ashton said. Nathan and Amanda looked toward him, blushing.
“Let’s toast to the new couple,” William said. Everyone raised their glasses.
“To the new couple!” everyone said in unison. They then drank. Amanda and Nathan looked at each other again. He wiped a tear from her face.
“I love you, forever.”
Nathan moved for another kiss.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ivan Kendrick dreamed of writing books since he was in high school. Now that he’s free from the demands of schoolwork, he has extra time to devote to his passion for books. Kendrick prefers reading romances, mysteries, and thrillers—especially when they have strong, beautiful women and/or cool tech. When he’s not writing, Kendrick spends his time learning more about computers or playing videogames.
Kendrick currently lives in a small humdrum town in south Texas. He looks forward to moving to a better city. Due to being a fan of superheroes like Iron Man, Kendrick is fond of big cities with tall bui
ldings.
http://authorivankendrick.wordpress.com
Twitter: @IvanKendrick
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OTHER BOOKS BY IVAN KENDRICK
THE DREAM DATE SERIES
Dream Date (Book 1)
Devoted to Her (Book 2)
Book 3 coming in 2016
Did you enjoy this book? Feedback from readers like you is very valuable to authors. I’d be deeply thankful if you leave an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads. Your feedback allows other readers to discover great new books.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER BOOKS BY IVAN KENDRICK
Devoted to Her (Dream Date Book 2) Page 33