Page 48 of Mister President

27

Elias

Sunday

It tooka hell of a lot of last-minute planning, but I was able to put together a small party to celebrate Amanda. I knew she didn’t like the attention being on her if she wasn’t on stage or doing a class, but I wanted to honor the changes within her. I felt like she downplayed her good because she was so used to the focus being on her bad. That was changing today. What she thought was simply her picking up EJ was actually a party with her closest family members and friends along with my people.

When she first realized what it was, she cried. I mean really cried. I hadn’t ever seen her cry like that before. As I held her, it took everything in me not to kiss her tears away. Once she composed herself, we turned up and had a good time. Even though she was sober enough to drive, I was able to convince her to spend the night and go home after she took EJ to school in the morning.

As we said goodbye to everyone, Felicity’s eyes were locked on me as she hugged Amanda. She mouthed for me to do rightby her cousin, and I nodded. I knew in my heart that my and Amanda’s story wasn’t over, but I wasn’t sure when the next chapter would start or how it would end. Since Felicity and West were the last two people to leave, I walked him out to the car while they talked a little longer.

“Did you look at the video I sent you?” he checked.

I nodded. Apparently, David was down at the trail last night where ol’ boy took Amanda and got to fighting. So far, even without me meeting him, he’d made a good first impression. I knew I could trust him not to back down and to protect my girl, and that meant more to me than anything.

“Yeah, I saw that shit.”

“Whatchu think about him?”

I shrugged. “I don’t think about the next man. You know that.”

West sucked his teeth, and I chuckled. “You know what I mean, mane.”

“I mean…if she likes him…good for her. I would have to meet him first, but I don’t know. He can protect her, so he’s already okay in my book.”

“Yeah, I agree. This was love. Sis really enjoyed herself. I ain’t seen her this happy in a while. You did well with this.”

We shook hands as I thanked him before telling him to take it easy and let us know in the group chat when he made it home. Felicity wasn’t too long after leaving. EJ had already gone to bed, and Amanda was in the kitchen grabbing a small piece of strawberry cake.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

She must not have heard me enter the kitchen because she jumped slightly as she turned, making me laugh.

“Jesus, you scared me.” Her giggle felt foreign these days. Hearing it made me smile. “Yes, I did. I know I keep saying it, but thank you for this, E. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. You know I’ll do anything for you.”

Our eyes remained locked as she leaned against the table and took a small bite of the cake. Even dressed down in leggings and a sweater, she was beautiful. Her shoes were off, toes rubbing against each other as she hummed under her breath.

“Do you…like him?” I asked, causing her to look up at me.

“Ryan?”

I shrugged. “Whoever you were with last night.”

She smiled softly. “He’s cool. He’s deploying next month, and I can’t do a long-distance relationship.”

“Yeah, I’m already knowing.” Amanda loved quality time, so her words didn’t surprise me at all. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

She frowned and rolled her eyes before laughing. “No you’re not.”

“I am. Of course I don’t want you with just anyone, but with me doing my thing with Fiona during our brief intermission, I didn’t mind you entertaining someone else.”

As she set the cake on the table, she crossed her ankles. “There’s a lot to unpack there.”

Her low eyes gave away the liquor and weed in her system, but she was still cognizant enough to have this conversation. Gripping the table, she chuckled.

“Brief intermission?”

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