101
The elevator ride was quiet—but electric.
Amanda stood beside Ericka, arms folded, jaw clenched, her energy sharp and contained like a coiled spring. Ericka didn't speak until they were behind the closed door of her office.
Amanda walked in first, heading straight to the windows and drawing the blinds down, one by one. The light dimmed until only soft golden tones filled the space. She turned then, facing Ericka with the kind of calm that came only after the storm had already touched down.
"I didn't expect her to do that," Ericka said carefully.
Amanda's response was low but firm. "We gave her freedom. She tested us. That's not something I take lightly."
"I know."
Amanda's voice tightened. "It took forever to get through to you. To break down your walls. To earn your trust. And now that I have it—I'm not letting anything threaten that. Not even a kiss."
Ericka stepped in close, fingertips grazing Amanda's hip. "She doesn't get to touch what we've built."
Amanda looked her dead in the eye. "I'm serious. You and me first. No matter what."
"Always you and me," Ericka said without hesitation.
Amanda softened just slightly, breathing out. "Okay. Then we're okay."
But Ericka didn't let go. Instead, she took Amanda's hands in hers, holding them gently.
"I would love to marry you someday," she said quietly. "I think about it more than you realize. What a life with you would look like. The way you see me, calm me... complete me. We don't need anyone else, Amanda. You're enough. You've always been enough."
Amanda blinked, stunned into silence for a beat. Her voice was softer when she replied, "You'd really marry me?"
Ericka gave a faint, wistful smile. "Yes. I would."
She leaned in, kissed Amanda's hands, then added with a smirk, "But... that's a conversation for another time."
Amanda smiled through the rush of emotion, her walls melting in the presence of that promise. "I better not find out someone else helped you pick the ring."
Ericka chuckled, resting her forehead against Amanda's. "You won't. It'll be all me."
They stood in silence, swaying just slightly, wrapped in a stillness that was full of meaning. Then Amanda whispered, "We're still us."
"We're always us," Ericka replied.
A soft knock at the office door broke the moment, but neither moved.
Amanda whispered, "Let her wait."
Ericka smiled and wrapped her arms around Amanda's waist, holding her tight.
Ava stood outside Ericka's office, heart pounding. Her hand hovered in the air for a second too long before she knocked—lightly, twice.
"Come in," Ericka called.
Ava stepped inside. Amanda and Ericka were standing side by side, close—united. The tension between them from earlier was gone, replaced by something steady and protective. Ava swallowed hard.
"I didn't want to leave things like that," she said, her voice quieter than usual.
Amanda turned, arms folded, her expression unreadable. Ericka said nothing—just watched.
"I know I messed up," Ava continued. "I let the moment get to me. I didn't think... I just acted."
"That's the problem," Amanda said sharply. "You didn't think. And this isn't the first time."
Ava's shoulders dropped a little. "I know. And I'm sorry. I crossed the line. Again. I should've waited. Talked to you both."
Ericka nodded once, but her voice was firm. "We gave you room to be part of something with us. But you've shown us—more than once—that you can't handle even the basic boundaries."
Ava winced but didn't argue. "I understand."
Amanda added, "You're bold, Ava. We like that about you. But you've made it clear that you don't take direction well—and that's dangerous when this situation depends on trust."
Ericka stepped forward. "Because of that, we're taking a step back. We need space to protect what we've built between us."
Ava's face fell. "So... what does that mean exactly?"
"It means we need time without the chaos," Amanda said. "No surprises. No missteps. No tension. You're welcome to keep showing up professionally. But personally? This is pause mode."
Ava nodded slowly. "Okay. I don't blame you. I just—" she sighed, looking at the floor. "I never meant to screw it up."
Amanda's voice was quieter but no less certain. "We didn't stop caring. But care without boundaries leads to resentment. We won't let it get to that point."
Ava looked up again, blinking back the sting in her eyes. "So I just wait?"
"You give us space," Ericka said. "And if we decide to open that door again—it'll be because you've shown us you can be trusted with it."
There was a long silence before Ava whispered, "Alright. I'll prove it. Even if it takes a while."
Amanda gave a small nod. "We'll see."
And with that, Ava turned and walked out quietly, leaving Amanda and Ericka alone—solid in their decision, even if it hurt a little to make it.