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The city was already humming with life by the time Amanda stepped outside sunlight glinting off car roofs, the smell of roasted coffee spilling from nearby cafés, the faint hum of conversation carried on the breeze.
Samantha's black SUV was parked right in front of the building. She leaned over the steering wheel, grinning as the passenger door opened.
"Well, well, Mrs. Viral," she said, sliding her sunglasses down her nose. "The internet is obsessed. You're practically trending in my feed."
Amanda groaned, climbing in. "Please don't remind me. It's been chaos since sunrise."
Sam chuckled, pulling into traffic. "Oh, I bet. I saw that video. The way you two were looking at each other? Yeah, that wasn't 'coworker energy,' babe that was wife energy."
Amanda rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling. "Apparently everyone agrees with you. PR's already in a panic, and Ericka's trying to stay calm while everyone calls us adorable."
Sam snorted. "They're not wrong. You two are disgustingly cute."
Amanda laughed quietly, glancing down at her phone. A text from Ericka glowed on the screen:
E: PR call starting. Don't stress. I've got it handled. I love you.
Amanda smiled and typed back:
A: I love you more. And behave no CEO tone with PR.
Sam caught the look on her face. "She texted you, didn't she?"
Amanda smirked. "Of course she did."
Sam groaned dramatically. "You're so whipped. It's adorable and nauseating at the same time."
Amanda shot her a look. "You're just jealous."
Sam laughed, raising her hands in surrender. "You're right. I am. Let's go eat you're glowing and I'm starving."
By the time they reached the rooftop café, the city was wide awake. Soft jazz played through the speakers, sunlight reflecting off the river below. The air smelled like espresso and warm cinnamon.
They found a table near the edge, overlooking the skyline. Sam ordered a mimosa; Amanda ordered black coffee and avocado toast.
Once the waiter left, Sam leaned forward, her grin returning. "Okay, spill. Are we doing this Monday or not?"
Amanda nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We are. Monday morning. We're going to the courthouse — just the two of us."
Sam's eyes widened. "Wait, really?"
"Yeah," Amanda said, her voice soft but sure. "We talked about it this morning. With the video and everything blowing up, it just makes sense. We need to get ahead of it before the board tries to turn it against us."
Sam smiled. "So it's happening. You're really doing it."
Amanda nodded, then added, "But listen I still want the proposal. The real one. The way I planned it before all this."
Sam tilted her head, intrigued. "The proposal after you're married?"
"Exactly," Amanda said, smiling. "We'll be legally married Monday, but I still want to give her the moment she deserves. The surprise, the emotion all of it. I want her to have the memory, not just the paperwork."
Sam leaned back in her chair, impressed. "You're so damn romantic. Okay, so what's the plan?"
Amanda grinned, lowering her voice. "Next Saturday. Her family's coming into town she's flying them in. I want them there when it happens. She doesn't know I know they're coming, so it'll be perfect."
Sam's eyes sparkled. "Oh, I love this. Secret proposal in front of her family? That's going to destroy her emotionally in the best way."
Amanda laughed. "Exactly."
Sam reached into her purse and pulled out her iPad, unlocking it with a swipe. "Alright, then you should see what I've already been working on."
She turned the screen toward Amanda. A slideshow of images filled the screen soft lights strung across a private rooftop garden, white roses and candles, a table set for two overlooking the skyline.
A musician in one photo held a violin. In another, a small dessert cart carried a cake that read "Forever Starts Here. "
Amanda's eyes widened. "Sam... this is beautiful."
Sam grinned. "You like it? I've been working on it since you sent the emergency text.
I was going for intimate sophistication with a touch of romance.
The song choices? Instrumental her favorite jazz pieces.
There'll be fairy lights, petals, champagne for the guests, cider for her, and a private chef for dinner after you propose. "
Amanda blinked, visibly moved. "You did all this in less than a week?"
"I'm efficient under emotional pressure," Sam said proudly.
Amanda reached out, scrolling through the images. "Okay, the setup is perfect, but maybe... switch the red roses for white with gold accents? That's her favorite palette."
Sam tapped a few notes on her tablet. "Done."
"And the cake," Amanda added, thinking aloud. "Can we make it more personal? Maybe something smaller, minimalist. White frosting, gold trim, no writing. Simple and elegant."
"Consider it handled," Sam said, typing. "You want it to feel private, not flashy."
"Exactly." Amanda smiled, finally relaxing. "I want her to feel safe. Loved. Like she can breathe in that moment."
Sam's teasing grin softened. "She already feels that with you. But this will seal it."
Amanda looked out over the river, sunlight catching in her hair. "I hope so. She deserves that moment the one where she doesn't have to be the boss or the strategist. Just Ericka."
Sam studied her for a long moment, then smiled softly. "You really love her, huh?"
Amanda met her eyes and nodded. "With everything I have."
Sam leaned back, raising her mimosa. "Then it's official. Monday, you make it legal. Saturday, you make it unforgettable."
Amanda grinned, clinking her coffee mug against the glass. "To love, chaos, and great planning."
Sam laughed. "Cheers to that, Mrs. Mathews."
Amanda rolled her eyes, smiling. "Don't start with that yet."
"Oh, it's already started," Sam said, smirking as she took a sip.