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"Alright," Leah said, dramatically flicking her wrist like a ringmaster. "Truth or dare is officially out of control territory, and I am so here for it."
"Was it ever in control?" Jamie asked, half-laughing, half-slouching against the couch.
"Absolutely not," Maria said, stealing a piece of cheese off the platter. "That's why it's fun."
Amanda sat cross-legged beside Ericka on the couch, a sparkling grin on her face and her hair slightly tousled from laughing too hard. Ericka leaned back beside her, elegant as ever, sipping her cider while pretending to be unfazed even though her eyes were bright with amusement.
Carter shuffled the cards idly. "Alright, who's brave next? Leah, you're looking suspiciously confident."
Leah pointed her finger. "Nope. I nominate the lovebirds."
Amanda groaned playfully. "Why are we still the targets?"
"Because we're living vicariously through you," Maria said, grinning. "Truth or dare?"
Amanda sighed. "Dare."
Leah smirked. "Perfect. I dare you to kiss your girlfriend like we're not sitting right here."
The group howled in laughter.
Amanda covered her face. "Leah!"
Ericka just tilted her head, her smirk widening. "Oh, I like this game again."
The group began chanting. "Do it! Do it! Do it!"
Amanda gave Ericka a look part mock-annoyance, part affection. "You started this."
"I'll finish it," Ericka murmured.
And before anyone could make another sound, she reached over, grabbed Amanda gently by the collar, and kissed her.
It wasn't rushed or showy. It was realslow, sure, the kind of kiss that makes a room stop breathing. Amanda hummed into it, her hand finding Ericka's waist, pulling her a little closer.
Leah fanned herself. "Oh my God. They're actually doing it."
Jamie grabbed their chest. "This feels illegal, and yet, I can't look away."
Maria laughed breathlessly. "If this is what workplace romance looks like, I've been doing it wrong."
Ericka pulled back just slightly, her voice soft but smug. "Satisfied?"
Carter raised his glass. "No, but inspired."
Amanda leaned against Ericka, cheeks flushed but smiling. "Next time, remind me to pick truth."
Ericka smirked. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't think that would've saved you."
Leah was still laughing. "Okay, boss lady your turn."
Ericka adjusted herself on the couch, amused. "Alright then. Truth."
Maria grinned. "Let's see... have you two ever done anything... inappropriate in the office?"
The room exploded.
Amanda immediately groaned. "You're all children."
Carter leaned forward, eyes wide. "Answer the question, boss."
Ericka's lips curved, and she swirled the bubbles in her glass slowly before answering. "Define inappropriate."
The entire group screamed.
Leah was crying from laughing so hard. "That means yes!"
Amanda buried her face in her hands. "This is going to haunt me forever."
Maria gasped between giggles. "Oh my God, where?! In your office? The boardroom?"
Amanda, without looking up, muttered, "I'm pleading the fifth."
Ericka laughed softly, setting her glass aside. "You're all far too curious for your own good."
Jamie teased, "Hey, you're the one who made us sign NDAs earlier you should've known that only made us more curious."
"Yeah," Leah added. "You can't just hand out contracts and then make out with your assistant like a rom-com villain."
Amanda pointed toward her. "You're dangerously close to getting uninvited to the next game night."
"Oh please," Leah said, waving her off. "You love us."
Ericka laughed, her tone fond. "She's right."
Carter leaned forward again, grinning. "Okay, okay, Amanda — your turn to ask one. Pick your victim."
Amanda thought for a second, then smirked. "Fine. Maria. Truth or dare?"
"Truth," Maria said immediately.
Amanda folded her arms. "If you had to choose someone in this room to have a fake office romance for publicity, who would it be?"
Maria grinned, scanning the circle. "Hmm... I'd say Leah. She'd make it look like a Netflix series."
Leah gasped. "You're not wrong."
Jamie raised a hand. "I just want to be the publicist when it all goes viral."
Laughter broke out again, loud and unfiltered.
Ericka leaned closer to Amanda and whispered, "We're never living this down."
Amanda whispered back, "I don't want to. This feels too good."
And it did.
The room was alive with warmth the kind of joy that only came from comfort and connection. Friends teasing each other, stories blurring with laughter, the world outside forgotten.
Leah raised her empty glass again. "Alright, last one before we switch to something less dangerous maybe charades or karaoke."
Jamie nodded. "Fine. One last question and this one's for both of you."
Ericka tilted her head, suspicious. "Alright. Shoot."
Jamie grinned. "What's one thing you both love about each other that no one else knows?"
Amanda looked at Ericka. Ericka looked back.
And for a moment, all the noise seemed to quiet.
Amanda smiled first, her voice soft. "She listens not just to what I say, but to what I don't say. And she never makes me feel small for needing her."
Ericka blinked, her eyes softening. "And she reminds me what it's like to be human. Even when I forget."
The group let out a collective aww before Leah broke the silence with a sniff. "Okay, that's it, I'm emotionally compromised."
Carter reached for the snack bowl. "We need carbs after that."
Maria pointed dramatically. "No more deep questions! Karaoke now!"