Caldwell laughed. It was rare to see him do so, as he was serious most of the time.
“Nothing to worry about. I’m used to dancing with short women.”
When Caldwell walked away, Amanda glanced at Kellan with a raised eyebrow.
“What?” he asked, the corners of his lips turning up.
“He’s so impassive all the time that I find it surprising for him to know how to dance.”
“Ha. Caldwell’s human, just like the rest of us.”
Amanda and Kellan were the first to get to the dance floor moments later. They were shortly joined by Caldwell and Emmy.
“How long will it take Chris to convince Judith to dance with him this time?” Amanda said to Kellan. “She enjoys watching guys squirm.”
“Some conundrum. Judith has trouble finding guys, and when she does, she plays hard to get.”
“We can’t exactly blame her.”
Fortunately for Christopher, Judith didn’t make it too hard for him. She seemed more at ease around him than before. Amanda thought that was a good sign. Judith hadn’t had a serious relationship since her junior year of high school. Amanda wanted her friend to be happy.
Here I am, lamenting my breakup with Nathan, and Judith hasn’t had anyone. I’ve had two great loves so far. That should be enough for me.
After a few songs, everyone in the group switched dance partners. Christopher took the opportunity to dance with Amanda. He smiled at her.
“How are you enjoying the night so far?”
Amanda felt quite good. She still hurt for Nathan, although she repressed it. Amanda wasn’t one to dwell on her losses.
“I’m having fun. That’s what Kellan was after. He’s always been there whenever I feel down.”
“Well, get used to it. I’m going to be there for you too, home girl. That cute face looks a lot prettier with a smile.”
Amanda couldn’t help herself from smiling. She casually looked to the side. What she saw made her expression instantly change to shock.
“What?” Christopher asked. He followed Amanda’s line of sight.
Nathan was sitting at a table alone, watching her.
Amanda looked almost happy while she danced with Christopher. Nathan had been watching them almost the whole time. He’d been careful not to let Amanda’s guards recognize him. For that, Nathan had chosen to wear clothes no one had seen him in yet.
At one point, Amanda said something. Christopher replied to that, and she smiled. Nathan loved when she put on that expression. Amanda always looked even more beautiful when she smiled.
Just then, Amanda caught sight of him. Nathan tensed. He saw the smile vanish from her lips faster than it had appeared.
Amanda looked at Christopher, talking to him. He took her hand and led her away. Nathan felt his blood pulsing faster. He hated being away from Amanda.
Nathan felt eyes on him. He scanned the dance floor and saw Kellan looking at him with a stern expression. Nathan decided to ignore it.
Looking down, Nathan touched the charm on his keychain. He opened it, and Amanda’s happy face looked back at him. Nathan would give anything to make her look at him that way again.
Over the next few minutes, Nathan casually looked around the room. He saw there were plenty of college-age women there. If Amanda wanted to be with another guy, she couldn’t begrudge Nathan that benefit.
As he searched for Amanda, a girl walked up to Nathan’s table. He looked up at her.
“Need a dance partner?” she asked. The girl was attractive, with curves in the right places and cute brown eyes. Her hair was so dark brown it was almost black, and fell in waves almost down to her elbows. She also had nice pearly brown skin. The girl was quite attractive, but not exactly beautiful.
“It would be welcome. You’re alone too, I assume.”
The girl nodded.
“My best friend got sick.”
“I’m Nathan Ferland. What’s your name?”
“Lori. Nice to meet you, Nathan.”
The two of them shook hands.
“Should we go dance now?” Lori asked.
“Yeah.” Nathan made to stood up. Just then, a set of footsteps sounded coming their way.
“Wait a moment!”
Nathan turned, shocked to hear the voice. He saw Erika stopping next to him. She looked displeased.
“What are you doing here?”
Erika scoffed.
“What do you mean? I’m your girlfriend!”
Trying not to show any emotion, Nathan looked over at Lori. She started to look embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. I guess I should go,” said Lori. She cast a glance toward Erika before hurrying away.
“What the hell, Erika?” Nathan asked.
“Dude. If you really were in love with Amanda, why are you so upset I frustrated your new fling?”
“I’m upset that you’re here. Are you following me around now?”
“No. I should start doing it if just to prevent you from making a fool of yourself. Following Amanda around isn’t going to help you.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Nathan sat down on his chair. Erika proceeded to sit opposite him without invitation.
“I was under the impression that I dismissed you.”
Erika blanched. She chose to ignore it.
“Why don’t you just end your misery? Look at your beloved Amanda. She looks better in Christopher’s arms. Not all lovers are meant to be, dear.”
Nathan chuckled.
“That sounds just like us. Except for the part about being lovers,” he said.
“Very funny,” Erika replied. “I guess I’ll leave you alone before you blow up on me.”
“Best decision you made all week.”
Annoyed, Erika walked away. Nathan turned to look toward where he thought Amanda was. She wasn’t anywhere that Nathan could see. Had she seen him with Erika?
Damn. That won’t help my case.
Nathan stood up. It was time to take brash decisions.
Locating Kellan and Caldwell, Nathan walked in the opposite direction. He didn’t want them to spot him again. Going over to the men’s restroom, Nathan turned his jacket inside out. He could wear it both ways. Then he put on a hat, which was unusual for him even in winter. The ensemble altered Nathan’s appearance enough for acquaintances not to recognize him
Nathan walked back to the main part of the club. He looked around and found Amanda sitting at a table. She was talking to Kellan. Nathan wondered what it would take to get her away from her bodyguards. Then an idea popped into his head.
Trying to be inconspicuous, Nathan walked around the club. He saw Emmy at the bar buying a drink. There were a few people around her.
Nathan walked up to Emmy. She looked at him when she felt his presence.
“Nathan! What—”
“Shh. I’d rather avoid Amanda right now.”
Emmy didn’t look happy.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just hanging out. May I borrow your phone? My battery just died.”
Emmy squinted at Nathan.
“All right. Just make it quick. Get out of here before Amanda sees us together.”
All Nathan needed was to send a quick text. He did so and then placed a call to Ashton’s phone so that Emmy wouldn’t get more suspicious. Nathan hung up before his friend could answer.
“Here,” said Nathan, handing the phone back to Emmy. “There was no answer. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Nathan subtly moved around to conceal Emmy from Amanda’s sight.
“Has Amanda snapped out of her hostility toward me? It’s hard to live without her.”
“That’s your problem,” Emmy snapped. “You should have never swapped her for some other girl.”
“I did not!” said Nathan. “That woman set me up.”
“Uh-huh. Who do you expect me to believe, Nathan? You or my best friend?”
Nathan
looked to the side, casually glancing toward Amanda. She was near the edge of the dance floor, saying something to Kellan.
“Moot point. Neither of you know enough about what happened. I have a right to defend my case.”
“Amanda saw you with her own eyes. And she wasn’t the only one. If you’re so Mr. Big-Shot Lawyer, you should know that first-hand evidence is crucial.”
“Not if it’s fabricated.”
Emmy shook her head. Nathan used the distraction to look to the side again. He saw Amanda walking alone outside. That was just what he needed.
“If you excuse me, I should get going. Thanks again for the phone. I owe you big time.” Nathan winked at Emmy before leaving. She looked at him in bemusement.
Taking care not to let the guards spot him, Nathan followed Amanda outside. He knew where she would be. Nathan walked around the side of the restaurant, where he saw Amanda waiting. He went around the other way so that she wouldn’t see him.
Nathan walked up to Amanda. She had her back to him. When she turned, Nathan pulled her to him and kissed her. For the first few seconds, Amanda was too surprised to push him. Then she realized who he was, and she put her arms against his chest.
“W-what’s your problem?” Amanda asked. Nathan wouldn’t let her push him away. The way she was responding to his kiss, he knew she’d longed for him. Nathan had really missed kissing those luscious lips.
“I couldn’t help myself. I’m not sorry, though. You have no idea how much I needed you.”
Amanda began to look pissed-off.
“How did you get Emmy to make me come here?”
Nathan smiled.
“I didn’t get her to do anything. She doesn’t even know we’re here.”
Amanda shook her head.
“Well played. Emmy sent me a message, sounding all excited, asking me to meet here. You’re a sneaky, sorry, traitorous bastard.”
“Only the first one, sweetheart. I’m not sorry I brought you here away from your guards. I didn’t betray you like you believe.”
“Nathan, I saw you with that woman just now!”
“She’s stalking me.”
“Ha! Like you’re doing with me?”
“I want nothing to do with any woman that’s not you! Don’t you see? I love you. No guy in his right mind would cheat on the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“So that’s all I’m to you? A pretty girl you can show off to anyone?”
“No!”
“If you think I’m going to let you off the hook so easily, you’re wrong.”
“We’ve been through this before! You know that I love you for more than just because you’re beautiful.”
“Then what were you doing kissing that woman? She’s beautiful, too.”
“I so didn’t kiss her.”
“Don’t try to fool me. My bodyguards and I saw you with our own eyes. No one told us anything.”
Nathan, exasperated, turned around. He shook his head, trying to think of what more to say.
“You think that I don’t love you enough. Yet here you are punishing me for something that you should know I didn’t do. I thought you had faith in me.”
“What would you have done in my place? How would you have reacted if you’d seen me kiss someone?”
“I would never have thought you started it. We both know how often guys try to take advantage of you.”
“That’s not the point! You wouldn’t be happy with me if you thought I was cheating on you.”
“You wouldn’t do it. Not ever.”
Amanda started to sob.
“But you would?”
“No way.”
“I don’t believe you. Especially after months of seeing guys hit on me. You knew it would happen, but you still let it get to you.”
“You’re my girlfriend, Amanda. It was out of my control. What would you feel like if random girls were coming on to me all the time?”
Amanda said nothing. She looked down at the ground in front of her feet.
“You see! I put up with loads of guys approaching you. Yet you can’t even handle it when one woman shows interest in me.”
Amanda looked at Nathan with fury.
“Go to hell! Just leave me alone.”
Nathan was unable to stop Amanda from storming away. He kicked at thin air, annoyed.
I can’t believe how little faith she had in me.
For someone so beautiful, Amanda could be truly insecure now and then. Nathan decided to return to his car. He had no business lingering at the club.
Kellan was starting to worry, until Amanda returned. When he noticed Emmy was still in the club, he found it strange. She should have been outside with Amanda. It was a relief when Kellan saw that Amanda was all right.
The group looked surprised when Amanda said she wanted to return to her apartment. She looked so angry that tears glistened in her face. Kellan wondered who had upset her that much. Not even Christopher was able to convince Amanda to stay.
When she got back, Amanda locked herself in her bedroom. She grabbed her iPod and put some earbuds in her ears. Amanda lay back in bed and tried to soothe herself with music. She cried again.
The next morning, Amanda was asleep in the same clothes from the previous night. She had fallen asleep on her side. The iPod was no longer playing music, as the album she’d been listening to had ended.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Amanda! Are you up?”
There was no response. Emmy walked into the room.
“Aw, friend,” she said. Emmy moved toward Amanda and took the iPod and earbuds away. She set them on the bedside table.
Emmy checked the time on the iPod. It was almost ten in the morning. Fortunately, it was a Saturday. Emmy thought that maybe she should let her friend rest some more. Amanda needed it.
What the hell did Nathan do to my best friend?
Walking silently, Emmy walked out of the bedroom. She went to the kitchen, where there was a steaming cup of coffee waiting for Amanda. She sat down at the table, picking up the book that she’d left there.
A quarter hour later, Amanda walked into the kitchen. Emmy looked up. Her friend looked disheveled, but at least she’d freshened up a bit.
“I know,” Amanda said, holding her hand up. “I’ve seen better days.”
Emmy bit her lip, shrugging.
“How was last night?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Amanda grabbed the cup of coffee Emmy had set on the counter. She drank some, and then went to the pantry. There was an open package of cinnamon rolls inside.
“Have you heard back from any of the places you’ve applied to?”
Amanda nodded. She sat on the table, carrying her cup and a plate with two cinnamon rolls.
“I’m good at tech, so I applied at the Best Buy that’s nearby. They called me back.”
“You don’t even have any degree in computer repair.”
“That’s not necessary. I wasn’t even intent on a job with Geek Squad. I’ll be a sales associate.”
“That’s good.”
“I have an interview for next Monday. Hopefully, I can get started soon.”
Amanda ate in silence. When she finished, she walked to the sink to put the dishes there. After she left her plate there, Amanda’s smartphone beeped once. She pulled it from her pocket and checked it.
A mild crashing sound made Emmy turn around to look. She saw Amanda standing frozen next to the sink. Her hands were in front of her, looking as though she were holding something. Emmy looked to the floor and saw the smartphone.
“What’s wrong?” Emmy asked, standing up. Amanda took a few steps back, covering her face with her hands. Emmy picked up the smartphone. When she saw what had made Amanda thunderstruck, she went white.
“He. Did. Not,” Emmy said, taking a deep breath. She looked at her friend, who was sobbing.
“This is…I can’t…he,” Amanda said, still in disbelief. “Nathan couldn’
t have done this to me.”
Emmy looked at the phone screen again. The message was from Erika. It contained photos of Nathan making out with her.
“If Nathan wanted to push me away for good, he got away with it.”
Fuming, Amanda left the kitchen. She walked out of the apartment and went next door to her bodyguards. She knocked on their door.
“Open, it’s me.”
The door opened, and Kellan peered out.
“Amanda! What’s wrong?” he asked, noticing that she was crying. Amanda embraced him.
“I don’t want to see that jerk in my life again.”
Kellan’s expression became confused. He gently stroked Amanda’s back. As he did, Kellan noticed that she had dressed a bit too lightly for the weather.
“Come on, let’s get inside.”
“No…I just want to go somewhere.”
Kellan broke from the embrace to look at Amanda.
“What did Nathan do to you now?”
Amanda stopped breathing.
“Never say his name again.”
Amanda took Kellan’s hand, starting to lead him.
“Wait. You should at least get a few more layers to wear before we go.”
“Whatever. I want the car ready.”
While Amanda grabbed a jacket, Kellan walked to the parking lot to start the car. Shortly after, Caldwell escorted Amanda there. The two got in the car.
“Where to?” Kellan asked.
“Drive to the end of the world if you wish. I couldn’t care less right now.”
Kellan and Caldwell exchanged glances. The former revved the engine and started driving. Amanda looked absently out through her window most of the way. She had an expression of anguish and determination on her face. Kellan gritted his teeth, itching to know what Nathan could have done to break Amanda’s heart that way.
Amanda felt disappointed. Nothing had ever hurt her like now, not even Liam Stone’s death. That had just broken her heart. Nathan not only did the same, he stepped on those pieces, pulverizing them.
Does life have meaning without love? Amanda thought to herself. At only nineteen, she had experienced so much hurt. Amanda was reluctant to look for love again. She wouldn’t do so for a long time, if ever.
Kellan stopped outside a sports store. Amanda looked at him, perplexed.
Devoted to Her (Dream Date Book 2) Page 20
