Mom, Secrets And More
Chapter 56
After Lee and Amanda's dinner, they ordered a dessert of ice cream, to share. Once their server, Nelle, had left the table, Lee reached out and took Amanda's hand in his and said, "So, how do things stand between us?"
"Lee. Well-" Amanda replied hesitantly.
Lee questioningly shook his head. "Amanda! You and I have been playing around over this issue for weeks-no, months now, and we both know that there is something more than a friendship between us. What I want to know is how do you feel about me and how do you want to proceed?"
Amanda sighed as she gazed at him. "Well, Partner, that certainly is a loaded question."
Lee shrugged. "Why? Look, Amanda, there's a lot about you I don't know and I want to spend more time outside the office getting to know you better. And, I thought you wanted the same thing-"
Amanda squeezed his hand gently as she nodded, "Of-Of course I do, Sweetheart."
Lee sighed and smiled surprised and happy by the endearment stating, "Okay, so what's next then?"
Amanda remarked, "Well, there are two variables-"
Lee queried, "Such as?"
Amanda answered, "My family-"
Lee commented, "Jamie's fine. If he's already a fan of mine, then-"
Amanda responded, "Listen, we have to rein him in as it is. Besides, there are Mother and Phillip to also consider. And then of course, there is work to consider-"
Lee puzzled stated, "We're fine-Billy-"
Amanda shook her head commenting, "Yes, Billy may be alright with us being together, but what if we have to be separated?"
Lee put up a hand reassuringly, "Hey, we won't. Billy likes us together as it is."
Amanda sighed. "Okay, then there's Francine-"
Lee queried, "What about her?"
Amanda replied, "Lee! She isn't crazy about me being around."
Lee groaned, "Oh, c'mon! She's a big girl! She's had enough time to get used to it."
Amanda stated, "Yes, well, be that as it may, her nose is a bit out of joint as it is. And once she finds out about us-"
Lee swallowed, realizing something and remarked gently, "Hey, are you by any chance thinking that she still has feelings for me? Because, believe me, that ship sailed a long time ago, okay?"
Amanda with a shrug answered, "You're right. I'm probably worrying about nothing here, except for-"
Lee chuckled, laying a kiss on her hand. "What now, Honey?"
Amanda clearing her throat responded, "Well, you have had a lot of girlfriends."
Lee joked then, warbling out softly, "To all the girls I've loved before..."
With that, in irritation, Amanda slapped his hand commenting quickly, "That's not funny, Lee! Not at all! I've even met some, quite by accident if you remember, Pal!"
Lee shook his head remarking, "C'mon! I definitely don't see any of them now and you know it! Why are you concerned all of a sudden? I don't have a problem about Joe or Dan at all-"
Amanda responded, "It was Dean, and you knew his name, and that we weren't that serious, and Joe is the boys' father, so-"
Lee shrugged. "So, what?"
Amanda stopped then went on, "Well, then there's Dr. Smyth. What if he has something to say about it?"
Lee stated, "Amanda! Then we refer him to Billy, alright?", as Amanda nodded in agreement.
Lee then sighed finally and asked, "Amanda, come on, be honest with me. What is really bothering you about this? I mean, just a little while ago, you and I were talking about me coming by the house and you were telling me that I didn't need to worry. And here you are now, pulling back about us. What gives?"
Amanda sighed. "Okay, I guess if I'm gonna be honest here, I am a little afraid, actually a lot afraid that if we admit to how we feel about each other and we start dating, what if something-"
When she hesitated, Lee asked slowly, "What if, oh, you mean if something goes wrong?"
Amanda nodded. "Yes. I mean, not only will I lose my best friend but I will also lose my job and-"
Lee shook his head replying, "Hey, Amanda, nothing's gonna go wrong. I'm all in. Now, it's up to you to decide how you feel."
Amanda wasn't sure she believed what she was hearing."Lee, what exactly are you saying?"
Lee stated, "Amanda, I'm saying that I am through with that old lifestyle I had when I met you. That I care for you a lot and that I want us to get to know each other better. A real relationship. Just you and me."
As Lee finished his statement, Amanda was taken aback by a flurry of emotions within her as she faltered a moment, then asked softly, "Really?"
Lee then took Amanda's hand gently, turned it over, and lightly kissed her palm whispering as he looked at her, "Really."
Amanda swallowed hard, touched by Lee's tenderness and with a smile, answered quietly, "Okay."
Lee then returning the smile, responded, "Good, now that that is settled, can we please go to your house, so that I can talk to your family?"
Amanda nodded, "Yes, but only after one thing,"At Lee's look, she finished with, "after we eat our ice cream."
Lee answered, "Yes,"as he held onto Amanda's hand while they waited for their dessert...
After dessert and taking care of the bill, Lee and Amanda left the restaurant, with Lee walking Amanda to her car stating, "I'm so glad we had our talk."
Amanda happily nodded. "I am too, Lee!"
Reaching her car, Amanda turned to Lee, and leaning in, wrapped her arms around him, accepting the kiss he offered. The kiss lasted a few minutes before they reluctantly pulled apart.
"I'll follow you", Lee said as he saw that Amanda was safely inside her car with the doors locked.
Several minutes later, Amanda and Lee arrived at her house, and both walking up to the front door, Amanda asked Lee, "You ready?"
Lee, feeling a bit nervous, swallowed and answered, "Sure. How's my tie?"
Amanda only took a moment to adjust it, and said, "Perfect," but then at a second glance she stated quickly pointing at his mouth, "Oh my gosh! Lipstick!"
Lee shrugged, "You're fine-"
Amanda shook her head. "No! It's on your mouth-"
Lee got his handkerchief out of his jacket pocket and wiped quickly, looking at Amanda for approval. " Whew. Okay, now?"
Amanda then nodded, and taking Lee's arm, opened the door to greet her family...
To Be Continued in the sequel, Truth Be Told.