Amanda was washing cups near the end of her shift when she saw Nate come into the Rack. As he walked up to the counter, she went over to him and smiled, "Hi, Nate, are you here for your latte?"

Nate smiled in return, "You make the best lattes." He raised his eyebrows hopefully, "And a little conversation if you have the time."

Amanda hesitated only slightly before saying, "My shift is over in a few minutes. If you don't mind waiting, we can talk for a little while before I go home. I don't have very long, though. My mother will be expecting me home for dinner."

Nate agreed, "Sure, I'll be at my usual table." He took the latte over to his usual table and sat down, sipping it as he watched her continue to clean up.

When she finished, she mixed herself a smoothie, then hung up her apron and carried the smoothie over to join Nate. She sat down and said, "Did you listen to the music I recommended last time?"

"I didn't like it as much as the prior examples, it was more heavily orchestrated," Nate said.

"You like the simpler works?" Amanda asked.

"They're more mathematical," Nate explained. "I've spent my life working with science and technology. I have a bias toward mathematical expressions. I certainly like almost everything you've given me, though. I never really paid attention to classical music before."

"I'm glad I can be your guide."

"Speaking of guiding my musical education," Nate said. "I happen to have a couple of tickets to the Seattle Symphony next week. It's an all Mozart program, symphony number twenty eight, horn concerto number two, and requiem. Would you like to come along and explain it to me?"

Amanda looked troubled. "Nate, I don't really feel ready to date yet."

"This isn't a date," Nate assured her. "Think of it as a field trip. We're just going together to listen to some music."

Amanda smiled at his transparent attempt, and then she looked serious, "Is this still about Kyle?"

"It's about you," Nate said. "I admitted that I first approached you because of Kyle. But that was just in the beginning. After we started to get to know each other, I felt we had a spark between us. I liked it."

Amanda smiled in memory, but then said, "It's all very complicated with Kyle and all the secrets. I can't handle all that anymore."

"I'm not involved in that," Nate promised. "I was doing research, trying to figure out who Kyle was, but I know now. I'm trying to stay out of his way and do my own work." He shrugged, "Kyle doesn't like me."

"Because of me," Amanda said. "But you don't like him either."

"It's hard to like someone who doesn't like you," Nate said. "And wants to get between you and someone you're attracted to."

A frown passed over Amanda's face. "I don't know why you are so interested in me."

"Aside from the fact that you are a beautiful girl?" Nate asked. Amanda blushed. Nate continued, "The simple fact is that in the short time we were dating I realized how much I need someone like you in my life."

"I'd like to believe you, Nate," Amanda frowned. "But my life has really been disrupted by all that Latnok stuff, and you're a part of that."

"I'm a student taking advantage of an opportunity to advance my career," Nate assured her. "Whatever else Latnok does, they run a good program for students. Anyway, we don't have to deal with that right now. Take your time. All we're talking about is a field trip to listen to some Mozart." After a moment, he added, "They're orchestra seats."

Amanda smiled at the prospect, "All right. I'll go on a field trip to teach you about Mozart."

"Excellent," Nate said. "It's a … field trip." They grinned at each other.