177
The late afternoon sun dipped low behind the skyline, casting long golden beams through the penthouse windows. Everyone had settled in Danielle sprawled across the couch like she owned it, Samantha chatting easily with Ericka's mom, and Ericka's dad admiring the view from the balcony.
Amanda clapped her hands lightly.
"Okay, family — dinner plans. I can order anything... or"—she pointed both thumbs at herself—"I can cook."
Danielle sat up. "Wait. YOU cook?"
Amanda gasped dramatically. "Wow. The betrayal."
Ericka smirked from across the room. "She's actually good."
Danielle raised an eyebrow. "Okay, chef. What you making?"
Amanda listed the menu like a challenge.
"Lemon garlic salmon, roasted vegetables, the jasmine rice Ericka's obsessed with..."
Ericka nodded. "It slaps. Trust me."
Danielle flipped her braids. "Cook then."
Ericka's father smiled. "I'd like to be impressed."
Amanda bowed. "Say less."
Amanda gathered ingredients at the counter, humming softly. Ericka walked in behind her, quietly rolling up her sleeves.
"Move," Ericka said, nudging Amanda playfully with her hip. "You're chopping too slow."
Amanda blinked. "Ma'am, I just started."
Ericka smirked, grabbing a cutting board. "Still slow."
Amanda bumped her hip back harder. "Keep talking."
Before Amanda could turn around, Ericka leaned in and placed a slow, soft kiss behind her ear.
Amanda stiffened, breath catching.
"Hey—"
Ericka kissed her again this time on her cheek.
"Hi."
Amanda tried to keep stirring the vegetables. "Stop kissing me while I'm cooking."
"No," Ericka whispered, stealing another kiss on her jaw.
Amanda exhaled, smile tugging at her lips. "You're lucky I love you."
Ericka rested her hand on Amanda's waist for a moment. "I know."
Dinner prep was in full swing. The kitchen glowed with warm under-cabinet lighting, casting a soft halo over the marble counters. Butter sizzled in the pan, garlic perfumed the penthouse, and quiet RB played through the overhead speakers smooth, slow, romantic.
Amanda stood at the stove, stirring the vegetables with one hand and reaching for spices with the other. She hummed off-key, swaying her hips slightly to the rhythm.
Ericka stepped beside her like a shadow drawn to its light. She brushed past Amanda, chest against her back for just a second longer than necessary.
Amanda felt it immediately the subtle press of affection and tilted her head with a knowing smile.
"You're hovering," Amanda teased softly.
Ericka didn't deny it. "I like hovering."
Before Amanda could respond, Ericka dipped her head and kissed her shoulder. Just a soft kiss slow, warm, lingering. Then another at the base of Amanda's neck. Amanda breathed out a quiet gasp.
Ericka smirked at her reaction, sliding her hands around Amanda's waist, thumbs rubbing small circles on her hipbones.
"You're distracting me," Amanda whispered, eyes fluttering shut for half a second.
"Good," Ericka murmured, lips brushing her ear. "I need a little distraction myself."
Amanda giggled, leaning back into her. "If the rice burns, it's your fault."
"I'll take responsibility," Ericka whispered, kissing the line of Amanda's jaw.
Danielle, drawn by the smell of garlic bread, padded toward the kitchen but stopped dead when she saw them.
Amanda pressed against the stove, Ericka behind her, holding her like she was something precious. Ericka's chin rested on her shoulder, her lips brushing Amanda's cheek between soft laughs. Their bodies fit perfectly together an unspoken choreography.
Danielle's mouth fell open.
"Oh... my... God."
She covered her mouth dramatically.
Instead of hiding, Amanda leaned back and bumped Ericka's forehead with hers. Ericka kissed her temple in response.
Danielle nearly melted into the floor.
She whispered to herself, "This is better than TV."
Ericka's mom wandered toward the kitchen next, following the scent of roasting salmon. She paused beside Danielle and her breath caught.
"Oh honey..." she whispered, hand pressed to her chest. "Look at her."
Ericka's father soon joined, chuckling as he wiped his glasses.
"Well, would you look at that."
They all watched:
? Ericka gently tucking Amanda's hair behind her ear
? Amanda reaching back and squeezing Ericka's forearm with her free hand
? The way they moved around each other like they'd done it for years
? The domestic ease the softness the love they didn't need to say out loud
"You see her shoulders?" Ericka's mom whispered.
"She hasn't looked that relaxed in years."
Her dad nodded. "That girl has her grounded."
Danielle sighed dramatically, leaning her head on her mom's shoulder.
"I mean... I love this for her. She looks... happy."
Her mom's eyes glossed over. "Truly happy."
Samantha joined them last, chewing a cracker she stole from the counter. "Y'all watching too?"
They all nodded at the exact same time.
Samantha whispered, half-joking, half-sentimental, "Ugh. They're disgustingly in love."
Danielle elbowed her. "You're single and bitter."
Samantha scoffed. "I'm observant."
Ericka's dad chuckled softly. "Let them have their moment."
But Angela Ericka's mom wiped the corner of her eye.
"I've never seen her look so... free."
Finally, Ericka sensed the eyes.
She broke away from kissing Amanda's cheek, turned toward the doorway, and found her entire family lined up like paparazzi catching the perfect shot.
"...What are you doing?" Ericka demanded, half embarrassed, half about to laugh.
Danielle waved. "Just admiring the view."
Her dad nodded. "Carry on."
Her mom sniffled. "We're just happy, sweetheart."
Ericka turned bright red. "Get out of my kitchen."
Danielle giggled. "Never."
Samantha leaned in. "No seriously, keep going, I wanna see more."
Amanda cackled. "Kitchen closed! All y'all out!"
But Ericka tugged Amanda in for one more quick kiss deliberately just to make them all scream.
They absolutely did.
Everyone walked out smiling, whispering, laughing...
And Ericka lingered a second longer, forehead resting against Amanda's shoulder.
"You're trouble," Ericka whispered.
"And you love it," Amanda whispered back.
Dinner was finally ready the salmon glazed to golden perfection, the garlic butter rice steaming, vegetables sautéed and tossed with herbs, and fresh bread warming on the table beside a spread of sparkling drinks.
Amanda wiped her hands on a towel and helped Ericka carry the platters out, the two moving in quiet sync. Ericka's family was already seated, Danielle in the middle of the table like she planned to run the show.
"Okay, chef," Danielle said, fanning her face dramatically as Amanda set a dish in front of her. "You tryna marry the whole family or just my sister?"
Amanda smirked. "Tell your sister to behave and I'll consider it."
Danielle gasped. "Ericka! She's threatening me already!"
Ericka walked by and flicked Danielle's ponytail. "You deserve it."
Everyone laughed as they all settled in. Plates were passed, drinks were poured, and the warmth of home filled the penthouse like a soft blanket.
Ericka's dad took a bite and paused mid-chew, raising his eyebrows.
"This... is incredible," he said after swallowing. "I haven't had food this good since— actually, ever."
Amanda nearly bowed. "I'll take that as a win."
Ericka nudged Amanda's leg under the table. "She's showing off."
Amanda stuck her tongue out at her playfully.
Danielle pointed her fork. "Okay, but seriously who taught you to cook like this?"
Amanda shrugged. "Honestly? YouTube, trial and error, and... growing up with a lot of women who didn't play about their food."
Ericka's mom laughed. "Well, bless them. Because this is delicious."
Halfway through the meal, Ericka's dad leaned back.
"Amanda, can I ask you something?"
Amanda swallowed her bite of salmon and nodded. "Of course."
He pointed his fork between Amanda and Ericka.
"How long have you two been together? Really together."
Ericka and Amanda exchanged a look a soft one filled with history, secrets, and a thousand quiet moments.
Amanda answered first. "Almost a year."
Ericka added, "But it feels like longer."
Her dad nodded slowly. "It shows."
Ericka's mom chimed in, warmth in her voice. "We could tell the moment we saw you two on that video interview... you just fit."
Ericka covered her face dramatically. "Mom. Please."
Amanda laughed, reaching under the table to squeeze Ericka's knee.
"It wasn't that bad."
Ericka whispered, "It was."
Danielle snorted. "It was cute, don't let her lie."
Danielle chewed another bite, swallowed, then turned to Amanda like she was about to start an interrogation.
"So... Amanda."
She leaned her elbow on the table.
"What was your first impression of my sister?"
Ericka groaned loudly. "Danielle please."
Amanda rested her chin in her hand, pretending to think dramatically.
"My first impression?" she said slowly.
"...expensive."
The whole table laughed loud and genuine.
Ericka's mouth dropped open. "EXCUSE me?"
Amanda held up a finger. "Let me finish."
Danielle clapped her hands. "Oh this is about to be good."
Amanda continued, voice softening, eyes turning toward Ericka:
"She walked like she owned the whole building. Confident. Focused. And honestly? I thought she was kinda intimidating."
Ericka blinked. "...Kinda?"
Amanda smirked. "Okay, very intimidating."
Ericka crossed her arms. "As I should be."
Danielle burst out laughing. "Oh she's in love, love."
Amanda leaned forward, whispering to Ericka, "I really am."
Ericka looked away, cheeks warming.
Her mom whispered across the table, "Look at her blush. I haven't seen that since high school."
Ericka almost choked on her drink. "MOM!"
Samantha came out of the guest room, having freshened up after helping in the studio, and sat down at the empty chair beside Danielle.
"Did I miss anything?" she asked.
Danielle pointed at Amanda and Ericka dramatically. "Yes. LOVE CONFESSIONS."
Samantha nodded casually. "Oh, that's normal. They do that every ten minutes."
Amanda threw a napkin at her. "Stop exposing us."
Ericka narrowed her eyes. "Samantha..."
Sam tilted her head innocently. "What? I didn't say which one of you begs for kisses more."
Ericka nearly threw her fork.
Danielle howled.
After the laughter died down, Ericka's mom placed her hand over Amanda's gently.
"You make her glow," she said softly. "My daughter hasn't looked this light in years."
Ericka froze mid-bite.
Amanda's expression softened, voice warm. "She makes me better."
Ericka looked at her for a beat just looked like she was memorizing the moment.
Her dad nodded. "That's all a parent wants. For their child to be loved well."
Amanda reached under the table and intertwined her fingers with Ericka's.
Ericka squeezed back instantly.
Danielle wiped her eyes dramatically. "STOP, I'm too cute for tears."
Everyone laughed again the warmth settling around them like a family quilt.
The plates were mostly empty, crumbs left behind, glasses half-full.
Amanda stood up to collect dishes. "I'll get these—"
Ericka stopped her with a gentle hand on her wrist.
"No. Sit. It's your turn to relax. We've got it."
Ericka's parents nodded, already stacking plates.
Amanda smiled soft, grateful, full.
Ericka leaned down and kissed her cheek slowly.
Amanda whispered, "You trying to make me explode?"
Ericka whispered back, "Always."
Danielle fake-gagged. "Okay, I'm leaving."
Samantha fanned herself. "Please keep going."
Ericka threw a napkin at Samantha this time.