Amazing Love Story (NG1)

34 - Amanda

Was Victoria being over sensitive? Every conversation led to questions and doubt, starting with who was Amanda?

When she texted Matthew, he replied, Lillian should keep her bloody mouth shut! I can't talk now. Sorry Vic xXx

As Robbie discussed his relationship, she had doubts about letting herself get involved with Matthew. Why did everything have to be so difficult? Watching Sophie walk down the beach, it looked easy. She and Matthew could hold hands on the beach, but saying goodbye wouldn't be easy.

Maybe she would discover he was a horrible lover or over possessive. Groaning, she seriously doubted either was true. Her phone rang while she drove home, but she couldn't answer it.

As if her life wasn't shitty enough, she heard a noise underneath her Jeep as she turned the corner onto her street. She and Bear had just climbed out of the old car when her father appeared at the door.

"Were you making that racket?"

"I think so."

He sighed. "I'll look in the morning."

She nodded and walked past him as her phone rang again. "I was afraid you wouldn't answer."

She sighed. "I was driving home and my Jeep started making a bad noise."

"Do I have to pretend to be sorry?"

She gasped. "You are mean!"

"No, I would prefer you to be safe."

"I'm having an awful night with my car and Amanda and Lily's brother."

"What about Lily's brother?"

"He's talking about pulling a Lily because..."

"Pardon. Pulling a Lily?"

She sighed as she paced in a circle. "You know, dumping his girlfriend, because he isn't sure he likes her enough to stay away from his family."

"Were you thinking about me?" What could she say? "Vic, if you give me a chance to prove it, I promise we'll find a way."

Prove it? Prove what? She couldn't ask. "Who's Amanda?"

"I don't suppose if I told you she's no threat, you would wait until I'm back for an explanation?"

"No, is she someone who works with Lilli? Are you traveling with her?"

"No, and no. I'm traveling alone." He let out a heavy sigh. "I came to the States to get away after Penelope. Before I left, I might have mentioned I stayed with my parents and read my Mum's first book."

"Yeah and I did too."

"An idea came to me and stayed in my head. I wanted to get past the hurt by writing about it."

"How? I still don't understand what this has to do with Amanda."

"To write about it is a different genre for a different reader. I needed to convince Lillian's boss. She gave me a limited timeline and Lillian to help make sure as she said, I didn't go off the rails."

"Okay, but..."

"Before I arrived in Boston, I boarded a plane. Whilst the beautiful girl next to me slept. I made some notes. Lillian just thinks Amanda looks like you."

Victoria understood. "Who's Amanda?"

"She's my character." The line was silent.

Victoria didn't know what to think. He wrote about her. Was their friendship just research?

"Is that why you want to kiss me? For your book!"

"No. If it were, it would be too late now. Much too much kissing and other things have happened."