93
Amanda flipped one more onto the plate with a proud little grin, still in her oversized sleep shirt and fuzzy socks. Behind her, Ericka was at the bar, pouring the second round of mimosas with a practiced swirl of the wrist.
"Orange or peach juice this time?" Ericka asked.
"Surprise us," Amanda called over her shoulder.
Ava, already perched on a stool in one of Ericka's silk robes, leaned forward with a smirk. "I like when she surprises me," she said, chin propped in her hand as she watched Ericka move. "Especially when it comes with bubbles and curves."
Ericka glanced over her shoulder, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. "Is that your first or third mimosa talking?"
Ava grinned. "That was all me. Mimosas just help me say it out loud."
Amanda raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt—she was too busy arranging berries on the pancakes like it was a brunch photoshoot.
Ericka brought over the drinks and set them down in front of them with a soft clink. "Here's to trouble," she said.
"To delicious, sexy trouble," Ava added, lifting her glass.
Amanda rolled her eyes but smirked. "Y'all are too much this morning."
Ava took a sip, then turned slightly toward Ericka. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think you made this mimosa just for me. Perfect amount of sweet. Bit of a bite. Like you."
Ericka laughed under her breath, amused. "Ava."
"What? I'm just appreciating you. Can't a girl flirt a little with her brunch bartender?"
Amanda placed the final plate down with a flourish and gave Ava a look, eyes twinkling. "Not too much now," she said playfully.
Ava held up her hands in mock surrender. "I'm behaving... mostly."
Ericka looked at Amanda then—her smile softened, her gaze lingering. Amanda stepped closer, meeting her eyes for just a second before reaching for her mimosa. She took a slow sip, set the glass down, and without another word, leaned in and kissed her.
Not a peck. A full, lingering, hungry kiss that deepened as Ericka's hand came to rest at Amanda's hip. Amanda's fingers curled into Ericka's silky pajama top, tugging her closer until there was no space left between them.
The room felt like it tilted.
Ava didn't say a word.
She just watched with an amused smirk, sipping her drink slowly, one brow slightly raised as if to say well damn.
When Amanda finally pulled back, her lips still brushing Ericka's, she didn't look away. "Just a little reminder," she whispered.
Ericka's eyes fluttered open, dazed but glowing. "I'm fully reminded."
Ava clinked her glass on the counter with a slow grin. "That was hot. Please don't stop on my account."
Amanda turned slightly, finally acknowledging Ava with a sideways glance. "You're enjoying this too much."
Ava shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a fan of romance. Especially when it comes with good food and front-row seating."
They all laughed—Amanda most of all—shaking her head as she sat down beside Ericka.
Ava leaned back, sipping her mimosa again. "So... anyone want to play cards after breakfast? Or should I just keep watching whatever this is?"
Amanda smirked. "Finish your pancakes, Ava."
"Yes, ma'am."
The afternoon sun stretched across the living room, casting lazy golden rays over soft blankets and half-empty mimosa glasses. The brunch buzz had mellowed into a cozy silence, interrupted only by the gentle hum of the playlist still drifting from the speakers.
Ava emerged from the hallway freshly changed—soft joggers and a cropped tank replacing the silk robe. Her curls were piled up on her head, and she had that same mischievous glint in her eye, but this time, there was something else behind it—curiosity. Maybe a touch of vulnerability.
She plopped onto the armchair across from Amanda and Ericka, who were curled up on the couch together, legs tangled and content.
Ava leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "Can I ask you both something?"
Ericka looked up from where her fingers had been tracing lazy lines along Amanda's arm. "Of course."
Ava hesitated for half a second, then spoke, her tone unusually sincere. "What are my boundaries? Like... what can I do and not do with you two? I just wanna be clear before I push something too far."
Amanda blinked, a little caught off guard by the question—but impressed.
Ericka sat up a little straighter. "That's a good question."
Amanda nodded, shifting so she could face Ava more directly. "I appreciate you asking. Honestly."
Ava gave a one-shoulder shrug. "I'm bold, yeah, but I'm not trying to overstep. I like the vibe with us. I don't wanna mess it up."
Ericka looked at Amanda briefly, then back at Ava. "We've been talking about it, actually."
Amanda picked up from there. "Right now, I think we're open to exploring things slowly, but together. No one-on-one anything. No crossing lines without clear communication."
"Clear communication?" Ava echoed, tilting her head.
"Like asking before touching," Amanda said. "Being mindful of energy. If either of us—me or Ericka—looks uncomfortable, back off. No guessing."
Ava nodded. "That's fair. So... flirting is cool?"
Ericka smiled. "Flirting is fine. You've already mastered that part."
Ava grinned. "Guilty."
"But keep it respectful," Amanda added, gently. "If something feels too intimate, wait for us to initiate it."
"No kissing unless invited?" Ava asked, checking.
"Exactly," Ericka said. "And nothing physical in private unless it's been discussed first. This only works if we're all comfortable at all times."
Amanda leaned into Ericka a little more. "And we need to stay grounded in our relationship. That's the core. If anything feels like it's throwing us off balance, we pull back."
Ava took a moment to absorb that. Then she nodded. "Okay. I can respect that. I'm not trying to come between anything. I just... like being part of this. However that looks."
Amanda smiled. "Then we'll figure it out together. Slowly."
Ava leaned back, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thanks for trusting me. I know it's a lot."
"It's worth it," Ericka said, reaching out and gently squeezing Ava's hand. "As long as we all keep talking like this, it can work."