Dream Date (8 page)

“Is there a hidden message there?”

“No. The fan is a woman. She found me on Goodreads and recognized me. She was so thrilled about having me for a friend.”

“Wow. You better give me tips about handling fans, then. I’m going to be the latest movie heartthrob, and I’m new to that kind of thing.”

Amanda smiled, and Brad laughed.

“How are Judith and Emmy? They’re at Cornell with you, aren’t they?”

“Of course. They’re okay, although Emmy’s getting used to the course workload. It’s a small school, but it’s different from high school.”

“I can imagine. When I think of college, I picture a preppy guy with glasses and a bad hairdo dragging around a backpack full of concrete-block-sized textbooks.”

Amanda laughed out loud.

“You haven’t got it too wrong.”

“No kidding? They still carry around books like that? I thought e-books were standard issue these days.”

“Not yet.”

“Bummer.”

“Ditto that.”

The following morning, Nathan woke up early. When he finished dressing up for school, he went to the living room area to retrieve his backpack. Ashton walked in from his bedroom.

“
Early bird,” he commented, laughing. “What are you so eager to do?”

“
What early bird? It’s 8:30.”

“
You don’t have class until over an hour.”

“
I’m just hungry. I woke up and couldn’t fall back asleep. Are you joining me for breakfast?”

“
I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes. Call me so I know where you’ll be.”

“
All right,” said Nathan. He then walked out of his dorm and took the stairs down.

As he walked away from the building, Nathan sent a quick text to Kayla.

On my way to have breakfast. Where r u?

Farther up ahead, Nathan met with Claire and Oswald.

“
Morning, Nathan!” Claire greeted him. Oswald gave him a nod.

“
Good morning, guys. Where are you headed?”

“
Starbucks. I felt like something sweet. And I could use some coffee,” said Claire.

“
All right. Let’s go.”

“
Where’s Ashton?” Oswald asked.

“
He and Kayla will be catching up with us shortly. By the way, how was your weekend?”

“
It was ah-may-zing,” Claire said, looking up at her boyfriend with a dreamy look on her face. It was clear she loved Oswald with all her heart. Nathan hoped he had that with Kayla.

After entering Starbucks, Nathan spoke.

“
You two can go find a table. I’ll be ordering. What would you like?”

Claire and Oswald thought for a moment.
They gave Nathan their orders.

“
Okay.”

After placing the order, Nathan went to sit with his friends. Claire looked at the customer line.

“
Ashton’s here,” she said, and Nathan looked to see. Ashton waved at them.

A few moments afterward, their order arrived. Nathan and his friends began to it.

“
This is good,” Claire said, taking a bite of her cake. Oswald smiled at her.

“
Coffee’s the best invention ever,” Ashton said. Claire and Nathan laughed. “How else could we manage to stay awake during class?”

“
I know,” Claire agreed. “Yesterday, I was awake until midnight watching a movie.”

“
Is that the same one you’ve seen like a hundred times?” Oswald asked her.

“
So what?” she replied, feigning indignation. “And it’s a sweet movie.”

Nathan laughed. He grabbed his phone, intending to send Kayla another text. At that moment, his gaze shifted to a table close from where they sat. His expression turned to one of surprise.

“
Ashton, she’s here.”

Frowning, Ashton turned his head to look at the place Nathan indicated. His mouth opened wide.

“
Wow. It
is
her,” he said, and then leaned towards Nathan to whisper, “She’s
hot!
”

Not exactly the words Nathan had in mind.

Amanda, feeling Nathan’s glance on her, looked up. She noticed him, and waved her hand.

“
That’s Amanda Tilley,” Claire said, awed. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe I’m under the same roof.”

“
Go sit with her, bro,” Ashton told Nathan. Claire’s eyes widened.

“
Ashton. What if Kayla shows up and sees me?”

“You know her?”

Nathan laughed at Claire’s excitement.

“Yes, we know each other from high school.”

“And you never told me?”

“I didn’t know you knew who Amanda is.”

Nathan looked over to where Amanda was. She was looking at him.

“You should sit with her and talk. You could catch up on stuff.”

“I don’t want Kayla to think the wrong things.”

“She knows you and Amanda are barely friends. Come on, she wants you to sit with her.”

Nathan hesitated, looking at Amanda. The corners of her lips rose up in a smile.

“
I wouldn’t think too hard about it if I were in your shoes, man,” Oswald said.

“
Okay, okay,” he said, standing up.

“
Go for it,” Ashton told him. Oswald and Claire laughed. Nathan walked towards Amanda with his food. He stopped next to her table.

“
May I sit with you?”

Amanda looked up at him, and then nodded. Nathan sat down opposite her.

“
How are you doing?”

“
I’m doing great. And it’s a surprise to see you. Do I have a stalker now?”

“
What? Ha ha, of course not. We just ran into each other again by chance.”

Amanda exhaled softly, showing a hint of a smile.

“
Are you here alone, or is someone with you?” he asked, taking a bite of his cake.

“
I’m waiting for Judith, but she’s running late.”

“
I see,” Nathan said, looking around the restaurant. His gaze stopped on a table next to the wall behind them.

“
Who is that guy?”

Amanda didn’t even turn around.

“
What guy?”

“
He’s watching you like a hawk. Aren’t you supposed to be sitting together?”

“
I’m supposed to be sitting with Judith. Now stop staring at him,” Amanda commanded, taking a sip of her coffee.

“
He’s your bodyguard, right? Now that I remember, I saw him when you and I met at American Eagle. He was watching you, but I didn’t think anything of it. I figured that he was just dazzled.”

The two were silent for a moment. Amanda watched Nathan while they both ate.

“
I don’t see what’s so surprising that I have a guard,” Amanda spoke. “Plenty of celebrities have security.”

“
I know. “

The two of them continued eating.

“
Those are your friends, right?” Amanda changed the subject. She looked towards their table. “I remember that guy. He was with you and Marissa at the show.”

Nathan didn’t have to turn to know that she meant Ashton. He nodded.

“
That’s Ashton, my roommate.”

“
He looks like the kind of guy who doesn’t miss drinks and fun time on Friday nights.”

“
Oh, you’ve got no idea.”

Amanda laughed.

“
Ashton may look carefree, but he has his own goals set clear.”

“He doesn’t give that vibe.”

Nathan chuckled.

“
Who are the others?”

“
The burly guy is Oswald. Easygoing, but serious kind of guy. He’s the old soul of our group. And the girl is Claire, his girlfriend. She’s sweet and flamboyant.”

“
She keeps looking our way. I thought she was your girlfriend or something.”

“
No. It’s just that Claire is a big fan of yours.”

“
She is? I’m always happy to meet fans in person.”

Amanda looked at Claire, who looked like she was in the same restaurant as a movie star.

“
Do you all go to school?” Amanda asked.

“
Yes, we go to Cornell University.”

Amanda’s eyebrows rose.

“
I guess it’s obvious, isn’t it? That’s the only college in the city
.”

“How long have you been here?”

“
This is my first semester.”

“
Ah, no wonder I haven’t seen you. I’m in my junior year. My friends are, too.”

“
You’re all juniors! Then that means you’ve only got a little less than two years to graduate.”

“
Yeah. Don’t worry, four years go fast.”

“
I’m probably graduating in three.”

Nathan blinked, unsure he’d heard right.

“
Three years? You just told me you’re a freshman.”

“
Technically, I’m a sophomore. I cleared most of my freshman courses in high school by taking AP classes.”