Read Online HDU by India Lee - Free Book Online Page A

her mother asked.
    Amanda ignored her as she put on her coat by the door,
trying to concentrate on not vomiting.   Her excitement had quickly transformed to nerves, but it was coming off
as being tight-lipped.   Her mother
crossed her arms, miffed.   “Amanda
Bree, I swear to God, you need to tell me one thing about this boy before you leave.”
    Amanda obliged before opening the door, glancing back
towards the kitchen just to catch their reactions.   “He’s a famous actor,” she said.   “He’s asked me to move to New York with him.”

 
    ~

 
    “You nervous?” Ian asked upon her arrival.   Amanda narrowed her eyes at him.   She had texted him about six times
between parking her car and walking to the lobby, so she found it mostly pointless
to answer.   “Well, you look nice,”
he offered.
    “Thanks.”   She let out a deep breath, breathing steadily through her puckered mouth.  
    “Do you want to sit?”
    “Definitely.”   Amanda took a seat on the thin couch, drying her hands on its grainy red
fabric.   Ian took the seat beside
her, his eyes fixed on the front doors.  
    “When did he say that he was heading over? It took me
twenty minutes to get here from the airport.”
    “He texted me… ” Amanda checked her phone.   “Almost thirty minutes ago.”   Saying it made the knot in her stomach
tighten.   Liam Brody would be
arriving at any second now.   Knowing that, she decided to join Ian in watching the entrance.   She imagined that Liam Brody would be
somewhat incognito, though she knew that realistically, he would still stand out
due to superior styling and generally outstanding genes.   Perhaps she should watch out for
cameramen.   Could paparazzi have
followed him all the way to Missouri?
    “He’s here,” Ian said.
    Amanda blinked, her brief calm shattered.   “What? Which one? Where?”
    “There.   In the black baseball cap.”
    Amanda’s eyes followed the direction of Ian’s casual nod.   She successfully located the man in the
low-worn black cap.   All she could
see was that he was tall, around Ian’s height.   However upon closer inspection, she realized that it was in
fact Liam Brody with his square chin, perfect jaw and always-smirking lips.   She held her breath when she also
realized that he was looking straight at her.
    “Oh my God, Ian, what do I do?” she whispered
stiffly, trying not to move her lips.   She didn’t want it to look obvious that she was consulting for advice.
    “I don’t know.   Try acting the opposite of how you’re acting now.”
    “Oh cool, thanks.”  
    Amanda attempted to regulate her breathing as she watched
Liam approach in his black zip-up hoodie and blue jeans.   His facial hair had grown out more
since she had seen his video, nicely framing his perfect smile.   He’s smiling .
    Seeing that Amanda was nowhere ready to speak by the
time Liam reached them, Ian held his hand out.   “Hi, Mr. Brody.   It’s a pleasure to meet you.   I’m Ian.”  
    “Hi,” Liam said, lukewarm as he shook Ian’s hand.   He quickly turned to Amanda, directing
his amusement at her.   “Are you the
ballsy girl I’ve been talking to?”
    Amanda managed a weak smile of confirmation.
    “Yeah, I don’t think so.   You seem too nice to be her.”
    “I’m starstruck,” Amanda said flatly.   “It happens in Missouri.”
    “Well, hey, now it sounds more like you,” Liam said
amiably.   Then to Amanda’s alarm,
he placed his hands on her shoulders and ran them up and down her arms.   “Loosen up,” he said.   “You’re supposed to like me if we’re
dating.”
    “That’s right,” Ian interjected.   He reached for the contract that Amanda
had printed out, handing it over with a pen.   “Well, it is once you sign this.”
    Liam eyed him before looking at Amanda.   “This the friend?”
    “Yes,” Amanda answered.
    He took the paper and pen.   “Why do I know his name and not yours?”
    Amanda allowed a