Chapter 8 - It is Hard Being Nice

A week went by and Dean was too busy to call Amanda. Amanda soon forgot all about Dean and went on with her life which was already so busy with volunteering for the PTA, Junior Trailblazers, baking items for the School Fundraiser and various other Neighborhood activities. On Saturday morning, Amanda was just finishing cleaning the kitchen when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi Amanda, Do you remember me?

Amanda paused and tried to recall if she recognized this voice and just couldn't seem to place it. "I'm really sorry but I don't know who this is?"

"Amanda, it is me, Dean! I've been thinking about you all week but have been too busy to call. I was wondering if I could take you out tonight? We could go see a movie after a quick dinner."

"Oh wow Dean. I don't think we have ever talked on the phone before. I'm sorry I didn't recognize your voice. As for tonight, I'm not sure. I would have to check with my mother to see if she could babysit the boys."

"Oh please say you will! I had such a good time last Friday and I would really love to see you again."

Inwardly, Amanda groaned and thought "I'm too nice. How do I hurt this man's feelings by telling him that there isn't anything between us?" Sighing, Amanda said "What time should I be ready?"

Dean let the air out that he had been holding and said he would pick her up at 5:30pm sharp. There was a Gourmet Pizza place near the movie theater so they could share a pizza first and then see the movie afterward. He mentioned that there was a great spy movie playing called The Amateur. It probably wasn't as good as a James Bond Movie but it should be fun.

Amanda smiled to herself thinking about how she used to daydream about having a spy for a boyfriend. "That will be fine Dean. I'll see you then. Goodbye."

"Goodbye Amanda, see you soon"

"UGGGHHHHHH...why do I always have to be so nice. Amanda, when are you going to learn to say no? You don't have to go out with this man. If you keep going out with him, he will soon want you to be his girlfriend. Amanda King, you need to tell him you can't see him anymore after tonight" Amanda chastised herself.

When Amanda told her Mother that she had another date with Dean, Dotty smiled and didn't say anything. She readily agreed to play babysitter for the evening.

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Dean arrived promptly at 5:30pm to pick Amanda up for their date. Amanda made sure she was ready this time and ran out the door as soon as she saw his car. This time, he had decided to drive his own car since the weather was supposed to stay nice. He owned a bright red 1981 Ferrari and he was quite proud of it so it was important not to leave it outside during rain since the acid could affect the paintjob. That is why you would never see Dean driving his car if there was even a small chance of rain. It was one of the first things he had ever purchased for himself and he intended to make it last a long time. Since his Mother didn't seem to care about her car, he would usually borrow the BMW at the first indication of bad weather.

Amanda didn't even bother waiting for Dean to help her get into the car. She had learned her lesson from the last date. After getting comfortable in the passenger seat she turned to him and said "Wow, this is a wonderful car Dean. Is this yours?

"Yes, isn't a beauty?"

"It certainly is. I'll bet you get a lot of woman with this car" She teased.

Dean grew silent and said "No, not many."

The silence between them grew and Dean pulled out of the driveway and headed for the pizza place. Once there, they took a booth in the front and ordered a large cheese pizza to share. Amanda decided to break the tension and asked Dean about his week.

"It was a very busy week for me. We are getting ready for a weather convention in Boston and there are so many things that have to be done before we go. That reminds me, Amanda, I will be gone for a couple of weeks and won't be able to see you. I sure will miss you though."

Amanda wondered again if she should hurt his feelings and let him know she couldn't see him anymore. She decided to wait and see how the evening went. After all, they had only been on one date.

The rest of the time at the Restaurant was spent talking about all the things Dean was doing to prepare for the Boston Convention. Amanda had never been so quiet before.

The movie theater was just next door so they walked over to it. Dean bought popcorn for them to share and they found seats near the front. Amanda was a little surprised but also a little happy that Dean didn't do anything to touch her during the movie. In fact, he didn't even allow their shoulders to touch. She mused again how he was definitely different than most men she had ever gone out with. The movie was good and Amanda found herself again thinking how romantic it would be to be involved with a spy. Her thoughts were interrupted when Dean asked her if she had enjoyed the movie. She told him that it was fun as they headed out of the theater. She suggested that they take a walk since it was such a beautiful night. Dean agreed and walked beside her without touching her at all. Their talk turned to outdoor activities and Dean told her about the cabin in Arkansas that his dad had left him. He asked her if she would consider going with him on vacation during the summer. Amanda paused and replied "Gee Dean, that's awfully nice of you to ask me but I'm not sure that I'm ready for anything like that"

"Amanda, there are two bedrooms in the cabin. I promise that it would be just a fun trip. I realize it is too soon for us to become romantically involved. Please think about it though. My dad meant the world to me even though I didn't get to see him often and I would love to share this little spot with someone like you."

"Let me think about it Dean. I'm not sure I'm ready to leave my boys so soon after the divorce. They still struggle with the whole thing. It is still a couple of months away so we can talk about it another time, okay?"

"Yes, that is fine Amanda. I do hope you will consider it though but I'll let you have time to decide. Well it's getting late so let's head back to the car."

In the end, Amanda decided not to say anything to Dean about where their relationship was heading. Maybe her Mother was right, she needed someone dependable in her life after all that happened with Joe. Dean was a really nice guy and there weren't many nice, single guys out there. She did somewhat enjoy his company and it allowed her to get out and be with adults other than fundraising. She would leave it be for now and see where all this was headed. The trip home was uneventful and they chatted a little about what Amanda had done during the week and the important things that were happening in the news right now. When they got to Amanda's house, Dean again stuck out his hand and shook hers. There was no spark for her but maybe that was just because she was not used to a man only wanting to shake hands after a date. She walked to her house by herself as Dean pulled out of the drive and headed home. Her Mother was waiting up for her and asked her how it went and if she was going to continue seeing him. Amanda told her that he was a really nice man and that she considered him a friend. Dotty smiled and nodded and told her it was a smart move.

TBC