Dream Date Read Free

took command of the radio during their trip to pass the time. When he couldn’t find a station he liked—or when there was no reception—he played music from his iPod Nano.
    Nathan stopped for some fuel once they got to the city. Ashton bought some snacks at the corner store, and then they took off towards Marissa’s apartment.
    Marissa lived at East Village Apartments on 212 East 12 th Street. Her apartment was near the top of the building, affording Marissa a good view of the city.
    Nathan pulled into a parking lot near the building. He then killed the engine.
    “We’re here,” Ashton said as he and Nathan got out of the car.
    “Let’s go,” the latter told him, leading the way. They’d visited a few times before. Marissa always waited for them at the Apiary, a New American restaurant a block away from where she lived.
    Marissa waved towards Nathan and Ashton when they approached her table. She stood up.
    “Hi, Nathan!” Marissa said, and the two embraced each other. Then Marissa turned towards Ashton, shaking his hand. “Hi.”
    “Good to see you,” Ashton replied with politeness. Nathan didn’t even raise an eyebrow at their formality. That was the normal way the two interacted.
    “I suppose both of you are hungry, so I felt free to order for you,” Marissa told them. She motioned towards the three plates of food and three drinks on the table.
    “Thank you,” her friends said. They sat down with Marissa, and they began to eat.
    “So, when is this show going to be?” Ashton asked.
    “It starts at half past five,” Marissa answered, looking down at her half-eaten piece of chicken. She looked up at the two of them and smiled. “I’m getting so nervous. I’ve never attended a show like this before.”
    “Are you showcasing any of your dresses?” Nathan asked her.
    “No, but I wish. I’m just glad that I’m going. It’s such a great learning opportunity, even though it’ll likely be a long time before I organize my own show.”
    “Remind us who’s organizing this one,” asked Ashton. He’d missed most of the details when Marissa had been on the phone with Nathan.
    “Clark Rhodes. And he’s not organizing it, he’s just showcasing his apparel,” Marissa told him, her voice taking on an air of reverence. “He’s the most acclaimed fashion designer in New York.”
    Marissa had already told Nathan that Clark Rhodes had been to Parsons for a talk with the students there. When Clark saw Marissa’s talent, it impressed him enough to give her free tickets to New York Fashion Week.
    “You’ll see. In a little over a year, it won’t be long before we start seeing Marissa Velásquez apparel in stores,” Nathan commented. The three of them were in their third year of college.
    “Don’t get ahead of yourself. You’re not the one coming up with the clothes,” Marissa said, laughing.
    “You made Claire a dress,” Ashton said.
    “Well, she’s fascinated with fashion. I knew she would love it.”
    After the three finished eating, Marissa led them back to her apartment. Once inside, she set her purse on a table near the entrance.
    “You can nap in the sofa if you want. Or the bed. I won’t need it during the day.”
    “We’re not sleeping in the same bed,” Ashton told them as he looked at Nathan, who laughed.
    “Dumbass,” Marissa muttered under her breath. She walked towards her kitchen.
    “I’m fine sleeping on the bed. You can take the sofa,” Nathan said, starting to walk to Marissa’s bedroom. There was a history between her and Ashton. If he slept in Marissa’s bed, it would obviously be awkward.
     
    At a quarter past four, Marissa emerged from her bedroom (where she’d changed into the clothes she would wear to the show). When she walked around the corner of the hallway, Ashton didn’t try to hide his gasp.
    “Women like this one are why some men suffer,” he whispered so low that only Nathan could hear. The latter thought Marissa had average looks. Yet, when she