Watch The Adjustment Bureau if you had any doubts.
If Amanda was honest with herself, there was a thing she liked about Nathan. He wasn’t like almost every other guy Amanda had come across. They all were after something predictable: her autograph, a photo, or a one-night stand. Amanda hated it when guys asked her for that last one, just to go home and brag about it. So it made a huge difference when a guy showed interest in her , not just her body. Nathan saw her as a woman, not as a prize.
Shaking her head, Amanda paid more attention to where she was going. She was a busy woman…although she did wish to date.
Yeah, if I’m being honest with myself…I’d want to be with a guy who’s the way Nathan seems to be .
Unfortunately, Amanda wasn’t only too busy to think about dating. She wasn’t allowed to date anyone—not that she particularly wanted to. Her manager, Hilbert Melendez, argued Amanda would be more likable to fans if she stayed single. Although Hilbert wouldn’t admit it, Amanda strongly suspected he wanted to keep her for himself. He was obsessed with her beauty.
Up ahead, Amanda spotted her friends, Judith Vawer and Emmy Crenshaw. They were waiting for Amanda on a bench near a tree outside Hasbrouck Apartments, right south of a golf course. It was their favorite hanging-out spot at the school. When she reached them, Judith spoke.
“Friend!” she greeted, motioning for Amanda to sit with them. “Got too much homework? You looked very pensive when you were approaching.”
“Not really,” Amanda said. Judith was perceptive.
“Where’s Kellan?” Emmy asked, looking around.
“Out there,” Amanda told her, adjusting the strap of her messenger bag. “He’s been debating whether he should enroll.”
Emmy’s eyes lit up. Only Amanda noticed.
“For real? What does he want to study?”
“He’s interested in both Business Administration and Psychology.”
“But Kellan already has a full-time job,” Judith said. “He can’t afford to spend his time in class.”
“Maybe he could attend classes part-time,” Emmy suggested. “Or take just two or three courses for personal enrichment.”
“Hey, you two gals are after my bodyguard, right?” Amanda asked in a playfully angry voice.
“He’s good-looking,” Judith reckoned. “As for your fitness trainer…that man’s to die for.”
“I don’t disagree,” Emmy said. “Men with rippling muscles are friggin’ handsome.”
“And washboard abs,” Amanda added.
“Why don’t you date him?” Judith suggested.
“Judi, he’s just my friend. At this point, I wouldn’t even go there.”
“Why not? You two would look great together,” Emmy said.
“I prize his friendship. There can be nothing more.”
Judith frowned, raising her eyebrows a bit. The three women were silent for a few seconds. Amanda used the opportunity to change the subject.
“Would you two like to go shopping with me this afternoon?”
“Hell yeah,” Judith replied. “I could use something new to wear.”
“Where are we going?” Emmy asked. “New York?”
“No. I don’t feel like going that far right now. I only just flew back from there last weekend.”
“Then we’ll go to Johnson City,” Judith said, and her friends nodded in approval. The city was an hour south of Ithaca and had the Oakdale Mall. Amanda and her friends had made it their mall of choice…in the area.
“I’ll pick up both of you,” Amanda offered.
“Thanks,” Judith replied. “At five?”
“Yeah,” Emmy and Amanda replied. “I have to go,” the latter added. “Class starts right now.”
“All right. See you later,” said Judith.
During lunch, Nathan met with his friends at their favorite place to eat close to Cornell: Rogan’s Corner. They served delicious Italian food. Since it opened at almost the same time Nathan and his friends had their lunch hour, they were usually among the first customers of the day.
“Hey, Nathan!” said Ashton. He was