172
The hallway outside the conference room had finally quieted, the buzz of strategizing settling into a focused hum throughout the office.
Ericka walked beside Amanda toward her office, heels clicking lightly against the polished floor, her mind already spinning through logistics and the weight of everything ahead.
Amanda closed the door behind them and leaned against it. "Hey," she said gently, "before you start mentally rewriting the whole PR plan... I want to tell you something."
Ericka turned, eyes soft but tired. "What's that?"
Amanda stepped closer, her voice steady but warm. "For the photoshoot... you don't have to worry about anything. I'll handle all of it — setup, timing, location, wardrobe. Yours and mine."
Ericka blinked. "My outfit too?"
Amanda nodded. "Mm-hmm. You've been dealing with Sierra, PR, board prep, and the fact that the internet thinks we're starring in a slow-burn romance movie. Let me take this one thing off your plate."
A slow exhale left Ericka's lungs, some of the tension melting from her shoulders. "You're taking on a lot."
"I want to," Amanda said simply. "This moment is ours. I want you to show up on Sunday and not stress about anything except looking gorgeous — which you do without trying."
Ericka's cheeks warmed, and she shook her head with a soft smile. "You're impossible."
"But helpful," Amanda countered, nudging her gently with her shoulder.
"Infuriatingly," Ericka admitted.
Amanda tucked a strand of hair behind Ericka's ear and said, "And... there's something else. Your family."
Ericka stiffened slightly. "What about them?"
"They'll be here tomorrow morning," Amanda reminded softly.
Ericka's eyes widened. "Oh God... I completely forgot."
"It's okay," Amanda said, touching her arm. "Everything's handled."
"What do you mean?"
Amanda smiled, proud but gentle. "The unit you bought in our building? I went down today and made sure it was fully prepped — beds made, towels set, kitchen stocked, toiletries arranged. I even added a few things I thought they might need or like. It's all ready for them."
Ericka stared at her, stunned in the most vulnerable way. "You... did all that?"
"Of course I did," Amanda murmured. "They're your family. I want them to feel welcome. And I want them to see how loved you are."
Slowly, Ericka reached for Amanda's hand, threading their fingers together. For a moment, she just held on, her thumb brushing the back of Amanda's knuckles.
"Thank you," she whispered. "You think of everything."
Amanda stepped closer until their foreheads touched. "I think of you."
A breathy laugh escaped Ericka, her eyes closing. "You're going to make me cry again."
"Good thing we're behind a locked door," Amanda teased lightly.
Ericka squeezed her hand. "Tomorrow's going to be a lot."
"I know," Amanda whispered. "But we'll handle it together."
Ericka nodded, her voice soft. "Together."
By the time the workday reached its final stretch, the whole office felt like it was running on a mix of adrenaline and unspoken curiosity.
PR was polishing statements, the legal team was drawing up their cease-and-desist, and Amanda and Ericka spent the last hour finishing emails and tying up loose ends for the weekend.
When the clock finally ticked past six, Amanda shut her laptop with a satisfied click. "Okay... that's officially enough work for one day."
Ericka stretched her arms above her head, relieved but visibly drained. "I could sleep for twelve hours."
Amanda stepped behind her, rubbing her shoulders gently. "Nope. Not allowed. We have dinner, a hot shower, and then bed."
Ericka let out a soft hum of approval.
They gathered their things, walked out together, and headed home with the quiet comfort of two people who didn't need to fill the silence to feel connected.
The moment they stepped inside, the tension from the office lifted just a little. Amanda tossed her keys down, kicked off her shoes, and exhaled. Ericka hung up her blazer and immediately went to open the balcony door, letting in the cool evening breeze.
"Better?" Amanda asked, watching her.
"Much," Ericka admitted, leaning on the railing.
After a few minutes of quiet, Ericka glanced over her shoulder. "I should call them. Let them know the final flight details."
Amanda nodded. "I'll give you space," she said softly and kissed Ericka's cheek before slipping away toward the kitchen.
Ericka took her phone and stepped into the bedroom to make the call.
Ericka sat on the edge of the bed, hit the video call button... and waited.
It didn't take long.
Her mother appeared first, her face lighting up instantly. "Hi, sweetheart!"
Her father came into frame behind her, waving. "There she is!"
Ericka's sister leaned in too. "Hey! We're packing already."
Ericka smiled, a soft, relieved one she didn't even realize she needed. "Hey, everyone. I just wanted to confirm your flights for tomorrow. Everything's booked and checked in. And... the condo unit downstairs is completely ready for you."
Her mom blinked. "Unit downstairs?"
Ericka nodded. "Yeah. It's yours for the whole trip. Fresh linens, stocked kitchen... Amanda helped make sure it was comfortable."
Her mom's eyebrows rose, impressed. "She seems wonderful, sweetheart."
Ericka's voice softened. "She is."
Her dad grinned. "We're excited to finally meet her in person."
Her sister chimed in, "And excited to see this maniac media storm you two have going on."
Ericka groaned and covered her face for a second. "Please don't bring it up when you meet her."
All three laughed.
Her mom said more seriously, "We're proud of you, honey. You sound... happy."
Ericka blinked hard, emotion pricking her eyes. "I am."
They talked a few more minutes — flight times, breakfast plans, small jokes — before saying their goodnights.
When the call ended, Ericka just sat there for a moment, breathing through the swirl of nerves and warmth.
In the living room, Amanda had her feet propped up on the coffee table, scrolling through texts when Samantha FaceTimed her with no warning.
"Answer now. Emergency style," Samantha's text had said.
Amanda picked up immediately. "Girl, what?"
Samantha's face popped onto the screen, large sunglasses on even though she was indoors. "Alright, update me. I heard the PR meeting was chaos."
"Oh, it was chaos with a side of stress," Amanda sighed.
"Perfect," Samantha said, "because I need to talk about Saturday. Send me your final ring choices and the color palette right now."
Amanda opened her photo roll and sent everything in a flurry. "Done. Also — new plan. PR wants a staged proposal photoshoot to use for next week's interview."
Samantha gasped dramatically. "Say. Less."
"I already told them I'd handle it," Amanda said. "And I want Saturday to still be the real thing. Her family will be here by then."
Samantha's grin softened into something warm. "You're doing it right, Audrey. It's gonna be beautiful."
Amanda swallowed, emotion catching her off guard. "Thanks, Sam."
"And," Samantha added, "I have outfits pulled for her already. You said 'soft elegance with a whisper of CEO,' right?"
Amanda smiled. "You know me too well."
They talked through photographers, locations, lighting, timing, and secrecy plans — Amanda giving feedback through genuine excitement.
After twenty minutes, Samantha said, "Okay. Go cuddle your wife. You sound tired."
Amanda laughed. "I am." She hung up the call and leaned back, staring at the ceiling with a full heart.
Ericka stepped out of the bedroom, eyes soft from emotion but calmer than earlier.
"How'd the call go?" Amanda asked.
Ericka walked straight to her and wrapped her arms around her waist. "They can't wait to meet you."
Amanda's heart warmed instantly. "Yeah? Well, I can't wait to meet them."