Devoted to Her (Dream Date Book 2) (7 page)

Nathan opened his browser. Now that he didn’t have a
job anymore, he needed to find a new one. This time, Nathan wanted a job that
was closer to what he wanted to work as after graduation. He wasn’t sure there
were many law-related jobs in a town as small as Ithaca. Still, it didn’t hurt
to make sure.

While he was reading some job requirements, a beep
sounded from Nathan’s laptop. There was a notification from his social network.
He switched to that tab. Nathan saw a friend request from Erika.

Thinking it harmless, Nathan accepted the request. He
then continued job seeking.

After a half hour of searching, Nathan heard his door
bell ring. He left his bedroom to answer.

“Hi, love!” Amanda said. Nathan saw that she was
carrying a large envelope under one arm.

“Hi,” he replied, moving to let her in. When Nathan
turned back to Amanda, she handed him the envelope. He caught it before it
could fall.

“Here’s what you’ve been begging for,” she said in a
teasing tone.

Curious, Nathan opened the envelope. He used one hand
to spill its contents into the other. At first, Nathan thought it was a
booklet. Then he saw that it was a calendar. And it had Amanda on the cover.

“No way,” Nathan said. “You have a calendar?”

“My first one,” Amanda replied proudly. “The photos
are from various photographers I’ve worked with before. One of them is Rachel
Edwards.”

“Marissa’s friend?”

Amanda nodded. Nathan peeled the clear plastic from
the calendar. He then flipped through it. The calendar had a girl-next-door
meets pinup girl theme without being overly sexy. Nathan wasn’t too happy that
Amanda was topless from the back in the May photo. At least she didn’t show too
much skin besides that. She wore a purple wetsuit in a pool for the June photo,
and a bikini at the beach in the photo for July.

“You look gorgeous, baby. I wish you’d kept your skin
to ourselves, but it’s okay. It’s just…even those shoulder blades look like
they should be covered.”

Amanda snorted.

“Love, don’t be that guy!”

“I’m just saying.”

“Did you like my calendar?”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

Amanda kissed Nathan in the cheek.

“Thanks. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“It is. As I’ve neglected to buy a calendar this year,
I might as well hang this one.”

Nathan went to his bedroom, and Amanda followed him.
There, he checked the walls. Then Nathan went to his desk and grabbed a tack
from a small tray. When he hung up the calendar, he stood back to admire it.

“Looks great,” Amanda thought.

“Yeah. Now I’ll get to see you every day.”

Amanda bumped Nathan’s shoulder.

“You still see me every day.”

“I know. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Nathan pulled Amanda closer. She turned to him, and he
brought his lips toward hers. Amanda closed her eyes, bringing her arms around
Nathan as they kissed.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me, my
love,” he said to her. “You’re my everything.”

“And you mine,” Amanda replied.

The two walked back to the living room. Nathan poured
a cup of decaf coffee for both of them.

“Thanks,” Amanda said when she got hers. Nathan sat
down next to her.

“How did you work out that calendar?”

Amanda answered after taking a sip of her drink.

“It was a special project I worked on by myself.
Hilbert didn’t know about it. I kept it from him.”

“You had other help?”

“Yes. I had some contacts, and we worked out the
development of the calendar over a few months.”

“Who gave you the idea?”

“Leslie. She’s a model friend of mine. We’ve done a
couple of shoots together. I’ll introduce you sometime.”

Amanda’s smartphone rang. She excused herself and
answered, standing up.

“Hi. This is Amanda Tilley.”

“Hi, Amanda. It’s Kellan. How are you?”

Amanda’s expression brightened.

“Kellan? Hi! It’s great to hear from you.”

“Did you miss me?”

“Why say no, if yes?”

Kellan chuckled.

“I gather today was your first day back at school. How
was it?”

“Same as always, yet better. Much better.”

“Have you made any new friends?”

“Only a few. I hang out with the same crowd.”

“That’s good. You still see Emmy and Judith, right?”

“Definitely. Those girls are my life.”

The corners of Nathan’s lips turned up.

“I hear a lot about the latter from Barton. Are they
together?”

“Sort of. I’m not too sure. I mean, it won’t be simple
for them to work things out. It’s not a viable option for them to leave their
city to be closer together. They’re stuck in place for at least three years.”

“Judith sure knows how to pick ‘em, right?”

Amanda laughed, remembering about her friend’s botched
relationship with Ashton.

“I suppose not. Maybe Emmy and I should take her out
to meet new guys.”

Just as she finished her sentence, Amanda felt as
though a light bulb lit up above her head. She wondered if she should set up
Judith and Christopher.

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea. I mean, Barton’s a nice
guy. He’d wait for the right one. But if it’s not meant to be, no amount of
effort will work.”

“Sad to hear. But you’re right.”

“Let’s talk about happier stuff. You and Nathan are
together now, I guess?”

“You’d be correct. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in
my life.” Amanda looked at Nathan as she said that. He stood up and put an arm
around her back.

“That’s great. I assume you don’t need me to return to
duty, do you?”

“No. But I’d still like to see you one of these days.”

“In that case, I’ll see when I can pop in for a
visit.”

“I look forward to it. Maybe we can go to the bowling
alley with my friends again.”

“Sure. I’ll call you to let you know when I have time
to fly up there.”

“Okay. By the way, are you working?”

“You mean, guarding someone? Not currently. But I plan
to get back to work real soon.”

“The same?”

“Yes. Grayson was assigned to guard the CEO of a
computer tech company.”

“That’s cool.”

There was silence for a few seconds.

“I have to go now. Hopefully, I’ll see you soon.”

“Take care, Kellan.”

“You too, Amanda. Bye.”

“Bye,” Amanda said. She hung up.

“Your bodyguard?” Nathan asked.

“Yes.”

“What were you talking about halfway? Something about
people stuck in place and you laughing.”

Amanda grinned.

“We were talking about Judith. You know, she’s into
Barton, but the poor guys can hardly be together. Judith hasn’t been very lucky
in relationships lately.”

“Oh. And that must be why you were talking about
taking her out.”

“Yes. She needs to meet new people.”

“Do you think she met someone at Nola’s?”

“I doubt it, but it
would have been nice.”

***

Amanda woke up earlier than Emmy the next morning. She
was starting the coffee machine before a sleepy-looking Emmy entered the
kitchen.

“Morning, sleepy eyes,” Amanda said. Her friend let
out a laugh.

“You better make me a cup, too.”

“I am.”

Amanda grabbed a cup from a cabinet. She poured some
coffee for herself. Just before Amanda added sugar, her smartphone beeped once.
She pulled it out and saw a text from Nathan.

“Change of plan,” she told Emmy. “Nathan and I are
having breakfast at a café.”

“So I get your cup.”

Amanda nodded.

“Would you like to come with us?”

“No. I’ll toast myself some waffles.”

Emmy took the spoon from her and added sugar to the
coffee.

“All right. See you in class.”

“Have fun,” Emmy said. Amanda grabbed her purse and a
jacket from her bedroom before leaving.

A quarter hour later, Nathan and Amanda entered the
café together. She took in the scent.

“Nothing like a nice cup of coffee on a morning like
this,” Amanda said. Nathan nodded in agreement. She loosened her scarf, and
then they walked to a table. Amanda sat down.

“What would you like?” Nathan asked.

“Do they have marble cakes here?”

Nathan looked toward the counter.

“I don’t know. I’ll ask.”

“If they have, get me one.”

Amanda waited while Nathan bought their food. She
scanned the room nonchalantly. The café had lots of customers. Whenever
temperatures drop, people wanted coffee or hot chocolate. And freshly-baked
bread.

When Nathan got the food, Amanda stood up to help him.
She got her coffee and bread and walked with him back to their table.

The two of them talked about stuff while they ate.
Nathan’s attention was so fixed on Amanda that he didn’t notice how many guys’
eyes she drew. Amanda was aware, but she disregarded it.

When Amanda had eaten the last bite of her cake, a guy
walked up to the table. Both she and a bemused Nathan looked up at him. The guy
seemed to be around the same age as Nathan. He was holding a rolled magazine in
his hand.

“Hi. You’re Amanda Tilley, right?”

Bless my life. I came to Ithaca for privacy, and
people are already realizing who I am.

“Yes,” she replied, pasting on a smile.

“Cool! Can you sign this?”

The guy handed Amanda the magazine.  It was a copy of
the February issue of
InStyle
. Amanda modeled winter fashion. There was
also a short interview. Due to Valentine’s Day, some of the questions focused
on love and relationships. Amanda revealed she wasn’t single, but didn’t give
any details.

Amanda pulled out a Sharpie pen from her purse. She
was ready for such situations. Amanda wrote a short note plus her signature on
the cover. She then handed the magazine back to the guy.

“Here it is.”

“Thanks,” the guy replied. “It was an honor meeting
you, Amanda.”

“You’re sweet. Have a good day.”

The guy nodded, and then walked away. Amanda turned
back to Nathan. He didn’t look happy.

“Someone’s jealous now,” Amanda said with a grin.

“Can’t help it, sweetheart.”

“You knew what you were signing up for when you
pursued a relationship with me.”

“I’m not complaining. It’s just…I was Mr. Invisible
the whole time. You may as well have been sitting alone.”

Amanda laughed.

“Did you want some of the attention? I’d be more than
glad to share it with you.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Girls come up to me too, you know.”

“As if that would tempt me. You’re the only girl I
have eyes for.”

Amanda reached forward and took Nathan’s hand.

“You’re adorable when you’re jealous.”

Nathan narrowed his eyes.

“Unspoken rule: never refer to a man as ‘adorable’. It
feels like being seen driving a pink car.”

Amanda’s eyes widened. She raised her hands, palms
facing Nathan.

“Okay, Hugh Jackman. I got it.”

The two laughed together.

“Hugh Jackman?” Nathan asked when he and Amanda walked
back to his car. She nodded.

“Is there a manlier man?”

Nathan opened Amanda’s door for her.

“I’ll show you manly when I take you to my place this
afternoon.”

Amanda stifled giggling. She was anticipating what
Nathan planned for her.

While he was at a store that sold Valentine’s gifts an
hour later, Nathan’s phone rang. He walked to a corner and pulled the phone
from his pocket. There was a text from Marissa, asking if he was still in
class. She wanted to talk. Nathan replied, letting her know that he didn’t have
classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was the same way he’d scheduled his
classes last semester.

A few seconds later, Marissa called.

“Hi, Marissa,” Nathan answered.

“Hi, friend! How are you?”

“I’m fabulous. What’s up?”

There was a noise that sounded like exhaling. Nathan
could almost picture Marissa smiling.

“I’ve got news about the surprise you’re preparing for
you-know-who.”

“Great! What is it?”

“The singer that I commissioned is still working on
perfecting the song. It’s coming out awesome!”

“That’s great news. Will you send me a sample?”

“It’s being e-mailed to you as we speak. You listen to
it and then tell me if we’re on the right track.”

“Sure. I’ll check it out. And Marissa? Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Nathan. I’m glad you involved me in
this. Your surprise is swoon-worthy! I wish my boyfriend would have thought of
it.”

Nathan laughed.

“Are you and Jonathan together?”

“Not officially, yet. But we’re getting there.”

“That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I need to hang up now, friend. My next class
starts in a few minutes.”

“Okay. Have a good day, Marissa. And thanks again.”

“Thank you. Bye!”

Marissa hung up. Nathan
put his phone back in his pocket. He was going to check his e-mail as soon as
he got back to his apartment.

Amanda walked up the stairs to the floor where her
apartment was. When she got there, Amanda noticed Jonathan waiting outside the
door. He smiled when he saw her approaching.

“Hi, Jonathan!” Amanda said. “How long have you been
waiting for me there?”

“Just a few minutes. Emmy told me that you wouldn’t be
long.”

“Oh.”

“Get ready. We’re starting our workout.”

Amanda unlocked her door. She and Jonathan walked
inside.

“Where’s Emmy?”

“She stepped out. If she gets back when we’re ready,
she can work out with us.”

“Thanks. I’ll go get changed.”

Jonathan prepared the living room while Amanda went to
her bedroom. Emmy arrived just as Amanda was dressing. Shortly after, the two
returned to the living room. Jonathan waited for them to take their positions.
They began with warm-up stretches.

“I’m going to show you a couple of new exercises.
We’ll replace one of the sets you’ve been doing so far. This one exercises more
muscles, but it’s not too difficult.”

At the word ‘difficult’, Emmy surreptitiously checked
out Amanda’s body. Her friend had light muscle tone. In contrast, Emmy was
wirier.

An hour later, the workout ended. The girls thanked
Jonathan again.

“I’ll be back on Friday,” he told Amanda. “Same time.”

“Okay. Take care.”

“See you,” Jonathan said. He left the apartment.

“Whew. This is hard stuff. How are you not as winded
as I am?”

“I’m used to it. Just be thankful you’re not a guy, or
Jonathan would leave us feeling beat-up.”

“I feel beat-up,” Emmy said. She massaged her biceps
with a hand. Amanda giggled.

“Do you mind if I take a quick shower first?”

“No, go ahead.”

Emmy sat on the sofa and grabbed the remote while
Amanda went to the bathroom.

Not finding something she wanted to see, Emmy stood
up. She went to her bedroom, where she had a full-length mirror on the closet
door. Standing in a sports bra and shorts, Emmy checked herself out at various
angles.

I wish I was prettier. Then maybe Brad would give me
the time of day.

Emmy turned to her side. She thought she was too thin.
Not anorexic-looking, but not full enough.

There was a knock at the door. A fully-dressed Amanda
peered in.

“The shower’s ready,” she said. Emmy nodded.

“What’s wrong?”

Amanda walked in. Emmy was frowning at her figure in
the mirror.

“I’m not pretty enough.”

“Emmy, don’t be silly. You’re beautiful. Look at your
toned body!”

Emmy scoffed.

“I’m thinner than you are, that’s why my muscles stand
out more. I should fatten up a bit.”

“Do it if you want to, but you’re pretty, friend.”

“Not enough. You’re not as curvy as Grecia, but at
least your body’s curvier than mine.”

Amanda shook her head.

“Nonsense. What brought this up?”

Emmy walked to her bed and sat at the front. She
looked at her intertwined hands resting on her lap.

“Let me guess. Romantic troubles?” Amanda said,
sitting next to Emmy. The latter turned her head.

“I just wish I got more attention from guys, is all.”

Amanda put an arm around her friend’s back.

“Guys in general, or
one
specific guy?”

Emmy laughed and stood up.

“I haven’t found the right one yet. That’s why I’m
looking for him.”

“Then quit moping. You’re an attractive, strong-willed
woman. Work on your self-confidence and you’ll have guys lining up in no time.”

“It’s so easy for you.”

“I may have been born with beauty, but not with
confidence. That’s learned, and you can learn it.”

Amanda stood up.

“I’ll be in the living room, in case anyone stops by.”

Emmy nodded.

“I’ll go take my shower
now.”

Nathan stopped by Amanda’s early in the evening. She
heard her doorbell and answered the door.

“Hi!” she said, letting Nathan inside. Then she closed
the door.

“Hi, love,” Nathan replied. He kissed Amanda when she
turned back to him.

“Wow,” Amanda said when he broke the kiss. She took a
breath. “You do know how to charm the knickers off a girl.”

“Would you expect less from me?”

“No.”

Nathan and Amanda sat on her sofa.

“Is Emmy here?”

“She’s over at Judith’s.”

Nathan nodded, thinking about something.

“Would you like something to drink?” Amanda asked.
“There’s a pot of hot chocolate I made earlier.”

“That would be perfect.”

Amanda walked to the kitchen. Nathan lingered in the
living room for a bit. The room was mostly as he remembered it to be. The
flower decoration on the center of the coffee table was new. A small, square
glass table occupied the space at the corner of the sofas. A stainless-steel
Eiffel Tower model sat on top of that table. In front of it were a couple of
framed photos.

Nathan followed after Amanda. He stood in the doorway
while she went to a cabinet to grab two cups. Amanda then grabbed a pot from on
top of the stove.

“I haven’t got bread, but there are cinnamon cookies,”
Amanda said when she turned. She set the two cups of chocolate on the table.
“Would you like some?”

“Sure.”

Amanda and Nathan sat at the table after she pulled
out the cookies from the pantry.

“Hey, I have an idea,” Nathan said.

“What is it?”

Nathan smiled playfully.

“Why don’t you do a little photo shoot for me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Yes. You pose for me and I take photos.”

Amanda thought about it. She drank more chocolate.

“You’d have to ask Stanley,” she replied with a poker
face. Nathan’s eyebrows furrowed, puzzled. After a few seconds, he smiled.

“Funny girl.”

Amanda giggled.

“Where would you like to do it? There really aren’t
that many options.”

“The living room suffices. It’s cold outside.”

“Okay. What do I wear?”

“Anything casual would be fine. Forget fashion for
now. I’m aiming for an everyday theme.”

Amanda nodded.

After eating, Amanda brushed her teeth before meeting
Nathan in the living room. He was using his smartphone.

“You’re using that camera?” she asked.

“Yes. Forget about pro equipment and the whole
shebang. This will be fun.”

Amanda laughed. She walked in front of the sofa.

“Do I stand here?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Now smile. I want to see those
lips curve, or I’ll have to crack a joke.”

At that, Amanda chuckled. Nathan aimed his phone
camera at her and began to snap photos. Amanda remained standing up at first.
She then switched to sitting down on the sofa and lying on it.

“This is fun. How come we haven’t done it yet?”

Amanda didn’t reply. She turned her back to Nathan for
a pose and looked back at him, touching her hair.

“Have you ever thought of being a photographer?”
Amanda asked at one point.

“No. Most of what I know about it is just pointing and
shooting.”

“You’re not much of a creative type anyway, right?
Laws and left-brain stuff are more your thing.”

Nathan nodded. He deactivated the phone’s camera to
look through the photos he took. Amanda stood up to check them out as well.

“You’re stunning,” Nathan told her. He enlarged one of
the photos. “That’s a cute expression.”

“No, it’s not!” Amanda said. “It’s just your lovesick
mind that thinks so.”

“Yeah. That doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

When Amanda turned back to the sofa, Nathan re-engaged
the camera. As soon as Amanda looked back at him, Nathan snapped a photo. She
blinked in surprise.

“I couldn’t
not
get that one.”

Amanda put her hands on her hips, pouting. Nathan
snapped that photo, too.

“You see, it’s moments like this one that shock me. I
still can’t believe you’re my girl.”

Amanda’s expression turned serious. She placed both of
her hands on Nathan’s shoulders. He looked up at her, and she smiled. Nathan
put his phone away.

“I’ll always be with you,” she said. “Forever and ever.”

Nathan moved toward Amanda, kissing her. He pushed her
onto the sofa, straddling her. Amanda placed her arms around him as their lips
met again. Nathan’s hands settled on her waist.

After what seemed like ages, Nathan leaned back. He grabbed
his phone and aimed the camera lens at Amanda.

“Why is messed-up hair so sexy?”

Amanda laughed.

“I can be sexy.”

“Is that so? I wouldn’t have known,” Nathan teased. He
watched Amanda pull off her sweater and the blouse underneath at the same time.

Amanda’s eyes looked into Nathan’s. His gaze traveled
up and down her body. He pocketed his phone and then planted kisses on her
abdomen, moving upward.

“I love you so much,” Nathan said. “I’m never going to
let you go, my sweetheart.”

When Nathan reached Amanda’s lips, they both kissed,
soon losing track of the time. Nathan’s hands moved, starting to tug at the hem
of Amanda’s shirt. She straightened up to let Nathan pull her shirt off. He
took a deep breath, admiring Amanda’s beauty.

“Take me to my room,” Amanda told Nathan. “If Emmy
comes back, I don’t want her to bump into us.”

Nathan took Amanda into his arms. He walked with her
to her bedroom. Once there, Nathan placed Amanda on top of the bed. She
straightened up. Nathan kissed her cheek, and then her lips. He simultaneously
caressed Amanda’s body. She curved her back to give Nathan better access when
he began kissing down her neck.