Silence fell. Amanda's mind raced, and she soon understood something. Then she said to Lance solemnly, "I am who I am—your friend, Amanda."
Lance was taken aback by her words, then smiled and nodded in agreement.
"I like friends~"
Her words indicated she wasn't speaking as a Romani, but as herself.
"Sit." He gestured for her to sit, his demeanor much more relaxed.
As she sat, Amanda's racing heart calmed somewhat, and she secretly sighed in relief.
She knew she had guessed right.
She realized that his use of the term "you Romani" in reference to her stemmed from her identity; this was the barrier to his acceptance of her.
"My friend, what can I help you with?"
"No!" Amanda shook her head earnestly. "It's what I can do for you. Please, make full use of me."
Hearing this, Lance realized that Amanda was an interesting person, and at the same time, a very pragmatic one, entirely lacking Tamara's slick cleverness.
