155
By the time the sun started dipping behind the skyline, the office had fallen into that soft, winding-down quiet keys tapping slower, laughter fading into murmurs, the rhythmic hum of the city beginning to take over.
Amanda leaned against the frame of Ericka's office door, her tablet tucked under her arm, watching as Ericka wrapped up one final call. The CEO's tone was calm but firm, her voice the kind of smooth authority that commanded attention even through a phone line.
When the call ended, Ericka set her phone down and rubbed her temples, exhaling. "That's the last one. Please tell me it's time to go."
Amanda smiled. "It's past time. You ready to call it?"
Ericka leaned back in her chair, giving her that half-smile that always softened her sharp edges. "You're asking like I have a choice."
Amanda crossed the room and placed a folder neatly on the desk. "You don't. The boss says it's quitting time."
Ericka laughed under her breath, standing to grab her blazer. "You love telling me what to do."
Amanda grinned. "Only because you never listen."
Ericka smirked as she slipped the blazer on. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Amanda tilted her head, lowering her voice slightly. "Not when it works in my favor."
That earned her a quiet laugh one of those rare, genuine ones that only Amanda ever seemed to get out of her.
"Come on," Amanda said, motioning toward the door. "We've got a house to get ready before the crew gets there."
Ericka raised a brow as they started down the hall. "You mean my house."
"Our house," Amanda corrected, smirking.
Ericka looked amused. "Right. The same house that's about to be overrun by four people who've been talking about this game night all week?"
"Yep," Amanda said cheerfully. "They're excited."
"I can tell," Ericka said dryly, grabbing her phone from the desk. "Lucky for us, I planned ahead."
Amanda blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I ordered snacks, charcuterie boards, and pizza earlier," Ericka said casually as they stepped into the elevator. "Everything should be delivered by the time we get home."
Amanda's jaw dropped slightly. "Wait you did all that?"
Ericka smirked, eyes glinting as the elevator doors closed. "You're not the only one who plans around here. I figured if I can't stop this from happening, I can at least make sure everyone's fed."
Amanda laughed. "You're full of surprises. I was expecting to have to bribe you with garlic shrimp bites."
Ericka smiled. "Already ordered those too."
Amanda's expression softened. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"I've heard that once or twice," Ericka teased.
Amanda rolled her eyes, leaning a shoulder against the elevator wall. "You're starting to sound cocky, Ms. Mathews."
Ericka tilted her head. "You like me cocky."
Amanda looked at her with a slow grin. "You're not wrong."
The elevator dinged softly, opening to the quiet, marble-tiled lobby. The air outside was cool and light, brushing over them as they stepped out toward the car waiting by the curb.
Amanda slid into the seat beside Ericka, scrolling through her phone as she opened their group chat titled Game Night Crew ????.
Amanda: "Alright, everyone. Be on time. No excuses. We start at seven sharp."
Almost instantly, replies started coming in.
Leah: "I've been ready since I woke up this morning."
Carter: "Already got the wine chilling ??"
Jamie: "Let's turn up! Been waiting for this all week."
Leah: "Amanda, tell the boss lady to loosen up tonight ??"
Amanda laughed and showed Ericka the screen.
Ericka smiled faintly. "They're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Amanda smirked. "You mean because I'm in the car with you?"
"That too," Ericka said, resting her hand on Amanda's knee. "But mostly because you convinced me to let this happen."
Amanda placed her hand on top of hers. "You're going to love it. Promise."
"Love is a strong word," Ericka teased. "Tolerate, maybe."
Amanda leaned closer, her voice lowering to a playful murmur. "You'll love it. Especially when you start winning."
Ericka chuckled. "Oh, I don't lose. You should know that by now."
Amanda grinned. "Then I guess I'll just have to distract you."
Ericka turned her head, meeting Amanda's gaze with a quiet smile. "You already do."
The city lights danced across the windows as their driver turned down their street. Amanda's phone buzzed again more messages lighting up the group chat.
Carter: "We're bringing extra snacks just in case.
"
Leah: "We should make it interesting.
Loser of each round takes a shot."
Jamie: "I like Leah's thinking ??"
Amanda: "Y'all are already chaotic.
Just show up on time."
Carter: "No promises ??"
Amanda laughed and locked her phone. "They're unhinged."
Ericka smiled, watching her with quiet affection. "They adore you."
Amanda turned her head, meeting her eyes. "I adore you more."
Ericka chuckled, shaking her head as the car slowed to a stop in front of their building. "Careful, Parker. You keep saying things like that, and I might never let you leave the house tonight."
Amanda leaned in just enough to whisper, "I'd take that risk."
Ericka smiled, brushing her thumb over Amanda's hand before stepping out of the car. "Come on, trouble. Let's go see what kind of chaos we've invited into our home."
Amanda grinned, following her inside. "Chaos or no it's going to be a night to remember."
The elevator chimed softly as Amanda and Ericka stepped into the lobby of their building, the scent of warm evening air and city lights greeting them. Outside, a delivery van idled by the curb the timing almost uncanny.
"Looks like the universe is on our side tonight," Amanda said with a grin, spotting the stack of bags and boxes balanced on a dolly.
Ericka smirked. "Or I just have perfect timing."
Amanda raised an eyebrow, teasing. "You're really leaning into this CEO-of-everything energy, huh?"
Ericka flashed her a knowing smile. "Only because it works."
The delivery driver wheeled everything up as they held the door open the smell of garlic, roasted tomatoes, and melted cheese already filling the air. By the time they reached the penthouse, it felt like walking into a warm, secret corner of the world.
Inside, the space was bathed in gold from the city's glow floor-to-ceiling windows tinted by dusk, soft jazz playing low from the sound system. Amanda slipped off her shoes, stretching with a satisfied sigh.
"Okay, this is officially perfect," she said.
"Not yet," Ericka murmured, setting her blazer over the back of a chair. "We've got work to do."
Together, they unpacked the deliveries boxes of pizza stacked neatly on the counter, artfully arranged charcuterie boards with fresh fruit, crackers, cheeses, and meats, small plates of sliders and shrimp bites.
Amanda grabbed a serving board and began arranging everything like she was styling a magazine spread.
"Tell me this isn't the best smell in the world right now," Amanda said, inhaling the scent of garlic and fresh herbs.
Ericka hummed, lighting a few candles by the bar. "It's close. But I'd argue your perfume might still win."
Amanda shot her a look over her shoulder. "Flattery will not get you out of helping me set the shot glasses."
"I already stocked the bar," Ericka said, pretending to inspect her nails. "You're welcome, by the way."
Amanda walked over to the marble counter and found it perfectly organized rows of liquors, wine bottles uncorked and breathing, crystal glasses arranged in a clean line. A small bowl of lime wedges sat beside the salt rim tray.
"You really did go all out," Amanda said softly.
Ericka shrugged, hiding a small smile. "If we're doing this, we're doing it right."
They moved around each other effortlessly Amanda setting the dining table with snacks, Ericka adjusting the lighting with her phone until the apartment glowed in warm, dim tones.
The soft flicker of candles played across the walls, and the hum of the music mixed with the faint buzz of excitement in the air.
"TV on?" Amanda asked.
Ericka grabbed the remote. "Already got it." She switched on the big screen to a loop of chill ambient visuals soft neon cityscapes fading into waves and skylines.
Amanda stood back, admiring their work. "Okay, we might've outdone ourselves."
Ericka crossed her arms, looking around the room pizza boxes lined neatly, boards glistening under candlelight, wine chilling, and a neat stack of games in the center of the coffee table: Uno, Truth or Drink, Cards Against Humanity, and Taboo.
"Looks like a recipe for trouble," Ericka said.
"Fun trouble," Amanda countered, stepping closer and looping her arms around Ericka's waist.
Ericka smiled, resting her hands on Amanda's hips. "There's a difference?"
Amanda kissed her cheek. "Not when you're involved."
Ericka laughed softly, her head leaning against Amanda's for a moment. "You know... this actually feels nice. Having people over. Letting them see a little bit of our world."
Amanda smiled, brushing her thumb over the edge of Ericka's hand. "You deserve to enjoy this too, baby. No cameras. No boardroom. Just us and the people who care about us."
Ericka's gaze softened. "You're good at grounding me."
"That's what I'm here for," Amanda said, leaning in to kiss her. "Well, that and to make sure nobody breaks anything tonight."
Ericka chuckled, stealing a quick kiss in return. "You mean you don't break anything."
Amanda grinned. "Touché."