It had all been Andy Sachs idea.
Trip accepted her suggestions, only after almost being maced by her. Then sharing a nice cold one, a beer with her and ice cream.
Andy held the ingredients in her brown bag for tonight.
She'd gone to two stores for this.
Lamb check, bottle of wine an excellent choice, Miranda had introduced her to it, and so she got that and a few candles for the table and the bedroom and some orange blossom massage oil. Glancing down at her IM pinging.
Smiling at her message sent to her.
Andy
Don't go to any trouble tonight.
Roy has your address. I'll be there at 8.
XO
Yours M
Andy had fresh sheets on her bed, a few hours to cook dinner for Miranda tonight in her small apartment that she'd scoured and vacuumed this morning and was sated by a mouth curling image of what Miranda sent to her.
A prelude. A preview of what she might be seeing and removing.
Teased to pay attention to her white haired lady's words, about the texture and feel of lace she was wearing for her tonight along with sexy snaps of her leg with a garter and a bra.
Andy had never been so appreciative of lace before.
They'd almost done it, in the florists on Valentine's. Were interrupted in almost coitus.
Timothy showed up, he got a phone call from passersby's that saw them and Andy had never seen Miranda dress faster, along with Andy who got thorns in her bum from the long stemmed roses they'd toppled over and had been making out on.
It was a miracle that Page Six had not scooped them.
It had only been a few weeks together now.
Each attempt at sex had been interrupted. It, almost happened last Friday night staying over but Caroline had a nightmare after watching a horror film.
Miranda's explicit orders to Roy to stall in traffic one late afternoon while giving Andy her complete attention of kisses in the backseat of the tinted windowed Mercedes ended as they were almost caught by a noisy cameramen on a motorbike trying to get a shot of the dragon lady now newly divorced as Andy had to be dropped off and handed Miranda's shopping bags and left on Fifth Avenue suddenly to not arouse suspicion and on Tuesday, Andy had just surprised her at her office around eight that night and almost put poor Emily in therapy.
She'd walked in on them kissing hoiked against Miranda's glass desk and both were oblivious to her until Miranda saw Emily over Andy's shoulder with her blue eyes wide.
Emily had squeaked. She was resolute that she never wanted to see any parts of Andrea like that ever again.
Both Emily and Miranda silently came to a shared decision. Never talk about it.
Then at MJ's last night over scrabble, the words used and spelled out, showed the level of sexual frustration between them.
Lust. Stroke. Caress. Desire. Climax. Andy and Miranda wanted it soon.
Tonight was the night. Andy was turning off their phones and devoting the next 24 hours to Miranda in her bed.
Texting Emily a warning earlier. Miranda was unavoidably detained in her Tempur-Pedic.
Flicking her sparkling dark eyes up, slowing her happy stride.
It was him again following her.
Noticing him. Andy's eyes hardened on this guy. Ducking into a doorway, waiting for him, she launched out suddenly, dropping her bag of groceries, she hadn't done judo in years but it would come back to her.
Bringing her knee up into him and holding up pepper spray from her bag to his mossy green eyes.
''OK buddy. Why have you been following me around all last week?''
She'd seen this same guy at her deli, out getting her morning coffee, near her work. When she was petting that cute Klee Kai dog near her place, even jogging in the park. He was there.
He was some type of stalking pervert. He looked normal. With a nice charming smile for an attacker.
Gasping out from Andy's knee. Trip in pain spoke. ''MJ, wanted me to give you this. Here. Miranda saw you forgot it last night.'' Trip offered her folded sweater to her.
Andy's eyes went huge. ''Miranda! My Miranda!'' Lowering her mace from his face.
Trip groaned out. ''Yeah.''
Andy went to offer him, the pint of ice cream to his groin. ''I'm so sorry I took a self-defense class and it's a reflex.''
''Here let me help you up.''
Trip shook her help off. ''I'm Trip. I work for MJ.''
Andy felt terrible. ''Oh. I am so sorry. Listen do you need a cab or some ice.'' She felt terrible.
Trip squinted. ''No to a cab. Andy relax I'll be fine. Do me favor, let's get an ice cold one and I'll try to forgive you.''
Andy blinked at him. ''Okay.''
Trip saw the pint in her hand. ''Is that B& J's Phish Food?''
Andy smiled at Trip. ''Yeah.''
Trip was fine now, setting his spoon down. Beer and ice cream. A nice combination on a Sunday and Andy was a good listener.
''He's trying to impress her, taking her out to Bizet's Les Pêchuers De Perles at the Met.''
''Les Pew huh.'' Andy shrugged that sounded kinky.
''So you like Mary Jess. You work for her. Yet she's going out on a date but not with you.'' Andy stated as she wiped her hands off on a dish towel. Setting her oven timer.
Taking a long sip from her beer bottle, Trip was cool and nice and she was so sorry about the whole kneeing him thinking he was pervert stalking her thing that happened.
''I'm in love with her. Andy.'' Trip shared, taking a last gulp of his beer miserably.
''So go do something about it. Trip.'' Andy urged as she set her table. ''Tell MJ how you feel.''
Trip winced. It wasn't that easy.
MJ Mahoney wasn't like any other woman he'd ever liked before.
Also MJ accepted a date with him.
Besides this guy, Michael-Gregory Whipple, makes enough to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo, because owning one is a symbol of achievement and success and being a total entitled asshole.
Trip rode the subway and had push bike in college.
Whipple was a prick. He'd skied and had a sailfish on his wall and wore Armani and even at a company day, he had on dorky pink Bermuda shorts and spoke Japanese ordering sushi at Masa.
Trip knew he just assisted her.
What really got under his skin, was that MJ had accepted. Looking right at Trip as she did with a look almost expectant of something she wanted him to do on her face.
Trip had just choked. Setting down some briefs needing her signature and going back to the phones.
Valentine's was supposed to have been his chance with MJ and he blew it. He almost kissed her but didn't. He kissed her cheek. That didn't count.
Shared a slice with her with the Priestly twins and Odele and showed off his air guitar moves and almost gave her a gift.
He had tickets to a concert this month, he'd discovered she liked the band by snooping, during babysitting for Odele.
Never would have pegged MJ as a big fan of that band.
Not with her polished impeccable suits and heels. He wouldn't mind seeing her only in a t-shirt of that, tangled up and waking up in his bed. MJ had a fun wild side by her photo on Odele's dresser.
Even Odele saw it. How great they were together. The twins gave him a look that night, of ''Are you going to kiss her or not.'' He just missed his shot by having KHIT.
Kissing Her Interrupting Thoughts of what if she just thought of him only as a goofy legal assistant who when first working for her, MJ said he dressed in cardigans borrowed from Mr. Rogers?
She'd teased him the first day they interviewed together. ''Bye Theo, two first names.'' He got the job still.
She was his boss. He didn't want to ruin what little he had with her.
He made her smile more now.
They ate ramen at midnight together and she stole his dumplings some nights and he let her.
He admired her mind and her body.
MJ was busy with long hours of work this week and talking every morning to Miranda about perfect Andy and also she had to attend Odele's school activities and try not to eviscerate Ira her ex-husband, changing his times with taking Odele on weekends.
Trip also noticed she had said yes to a date tonight with Whipple so quickly. Crushed by that.
It didn't bother him. Why would it? MJ was a beautiful older woman and she was single. Sexy and any guy would want her.
Want her. Trip mood darkened.
What if she slept with Whipple? Trip could not stomach that idea coming to fruition. Intercourse with Whipple. That cocky complete with a curly tail prick wasn't having sex with MJ. Not if he could help it.
Andy was right he had to do something about it. Right now.
''I gotta go Andy. Have a great evening with Miranda.''
Andy wished him luck. ''Go get MJ. Trip.''
On Friday night late, Trip turned off his Mac, Michael-Gregory Whipple had left a message for MJ, and Trip took it for her and after hanging up on him, scrunching up a message from him and stuffing it in his pocket, saying he'd pick her up at her place around eight instead of seven.
MJ was on speaker to Miranda who was shaking her head at Nigel's selection. ''Jess are you going out on a date tonight?''
Blue eyes sparkled on her oldest friend dating again. Trip and she looked great together and he was so sweet with Odele.
''Where is he taking you?''
''Michael-Gregory has a box at the Met. Then we're going to dinner at some place on the West Side.''
''Michael-Gregory? Not Trip.'' Miranda voiced her surprise.
''Mir, for the last time, Trip is not interested in me.'' MJ sharply retorted, putting on her earrings. Trip didn't even say anything to stop her accepting Michael-Gregory's date. That proved to MJ that he wasn't interested. Not like that.
Miranda sighed. Was MJ blind? Theodore was very interested in Jess.
MJ admitted to Mir. ''I waxed and I bought new underwear for tonight.'' She stepped into her black cocktail dress carefully.
Balancing on one of a new pair of kitten heels she'd bought, her caramel with champagne highlights hair was looser tonight and not as sprayed stiff. Grateful for all the gym time for her calves.
''Are you going to sleep with him, Jess?'' Miranda asked softly.
''Maybe I will. Maybe I won't.''
''Jess. Michael-Gregory as in Michael-Gregory Whipple, he is a pompous windbag, he use to play golf and squash with Stephen. MJ don't do it.'' Miranda warned.
Fine. She wouldn't sleep with him. She wasn't going to anyway. She wished Trip had asked her out instead. It was not like he didn't stop her or anything.
He just stood there and said nothing.
It certainly wasn't like any of the bodice rippers Miranda read. Trip didn't profess his undying love to her and he definitely didn't like her like that. Now she knew. She'd kind of hoped once. He was half her age.
He probably saw her as a mentor only. An old one. Plus she was his superior. His boss.
Calculating, when Trip was seventeen months, she just took the NY Bar had taken on her first major case with the DA.
The doorbell rang as Odele got it.
Squealing out. ''Hi Trip.''
Trip grinned at Odele who let him in. Yelling upstairs. ''Mom. Trip's here.''
MJ almost dropped her phone still on Mir's call.
Trip's here?
What was Trip doing here, on the night of her date with Michael-Gregory? Trying not to hope that he was here to tell her not go out with Michael-Gregory.
''Trip's downstairs.''
Holding her phone up to her ear as Miranda listened to MJ theorized.
''Why would he come by? Why tonight?'' MJ wondered aloud as she yanked off a price tag on a Hermes clutch purse.
Miranda just smiled into her own phone. ''MJ don't have a stroke, just see what he wants? Trip won't hurt you like Ira did.''
Ira was MJ's ex-husband. Trip was not anything like Ira. She knew that. Trip was a great guy. He was thoughtful and had an amazing smile and his eyes oh my god his eyes on her some days at her desk.
He also was fit.
She was sure he had a slew of younger girlfriends. The secretarial pool at her firm thought he was simply gorgeous when he stopped wearing grandpa cardigans with pressed Dockers.
He looked dreamy in a tux last month. He didn't go home with anybody that MJ saw. Escorted her to her driver and texted her if she was home safe that night.
Trip smiled at Odele as she tugged him inside impatiently. He loved this kid. She was so bright and funny like her Mom.
''Are you here babysitting me? I thought Megan was coming over?''
Trip nodded. '' Sure am kiddo. Megan had a thing. I'm your babysitter. Go pick out something for us to watch. Odele.''
''Cool. Do you want to see Grease again or Mannequin, Trip?''
''Odele you pick.''
Odele went to the large TV room in their townhouse to get the film ready, she'd make Trip endure it.
Miranda wanted Jess to be happy, unbelievably happy like she was with Andy. ''Oh Jess just tell him, tell Theodore you like him in an I like, love you way.''
''I do not.'' MJ stated.
''You do too. MJ. More than Ricky Sanderson.''
Ricky Sanderson, she hadn't thought about him in years.
The ski instructor at that chalet she shared with Miranda one month before meeting Ira in Paris.
Miranda was just as guilty making eyes at that dark haired Italian female who was their chalet host with a big smile. Thinking about it, Giulia looked a hell of a lot like Andy did.
Miranda had a type.
MJ huffed out her surprise. Ricky Sanderson was just before Ira. He was a holiday fling, a guy she was crazy about.
''I'm hanging up now and for the record, Trip is not attracted to me.''
''Jess. Trip is head over heels in love with you.'' Miranda declared honestly.
MJ snorted. Right.
MJ took his breath away as she descended the stairs.
''Trip I thought Megan in wills and trust said she'd babysit for me.'' MJ saw Trip was just standing there, gaping at her. ''Trip you're staring.''
Trip recovered from staring at her, his ears went red.
''Sorry. Megan couldn't come tonight. Her parents came in from out of town. So I thought I'd do it. You look really beautiful tonight Mary Jess.''
It was a lie. Megan's folks were not in town. Trip had called Megan to make her switch. Promised her tickets to the sold out Hamilton musical, the Broadway show she really wanted to see.
MJ stared, he called her by her Mary Jess. Trip never called her by her full name.
Only nuns when she was in big trouble called her that.
Both glancing at the clock. Where was Michael-Gregory her date?
''I guess he's running late.'' MJ was letting it go. This was her first date in ten months. She wasn't holding him being a little late against him.
''MJ, can we talk?''
''About work?'' MJ noticed how Trip was looking intensely at her. She thought she looked good in blue lace Von Furstenberg.
''Trip you look so serious. What is it?'' The door knocked.
''Hi Mrs. M. Odele left this.''
''Thanks Nestor.''
Nestor the doorman gave her, Odele's Dalton backpack.
''Hi Trip did you see the game last night?'' Trip nodded impatiently.
''I caught a little. Nestor. Ms. Mahoney's expecting a visitor. Let him up.''
''Sure thing.'' Nestor left them.
''Are you quitting the firm? You're leaving. I know your Mom wants you to quit working for me and take that job working with her.''
Trip blinked at MJ. ''No I love working with you. Listen MJ the thing is when Whipple asked you out. I…I uh
''You?'' MJ asked.
''Forgot to tell the restaurant your allergic to shellfish and you hate white wine.'' Trip groaned to himself.
''That's fine. Is there anything else you want to tell me, Trip?''
Shaking his head at her. ''Uh. No.''
Slumping at 7:45. MJ leaned her head against the wallpaper near her front door, sitting on an antique upholstered bench.
Great he wasn't coming. Michael-Gregory hadn't even called with an excuse, standing her up.
Odele's voice scolded him. ''Trip just dance. Not like that.''
Trip did a few moves that made her giggle.
Heard her daughter and Trip having fun. Stepping inside as a small smile quirked her mouth, biting her cheek not to laugh.
Odele had talked Trip into teaching her how to dance. Trip was pretty good at this, changing the record as Odele had got a record player for her birthday.
Impressed by his footwork. ''Did you take ballroom dancing Trip? I didn't read that on your resume or on LinkedIn.''
''I was suckered into it, by my big sister. Ms. Mahoney may I?''
''Trip I can't dance.'' Trip scoffed at her. ''I'm not that good at it…really Trip no, I'm horrible.'' Cut off by his eyes sparkling on hers.
''MJ just let me guide you in this.''
Soft music beginning as his large palm curved and clasped her waist, inhaling from him touching her. MJ swallowed a moan, maybe she did need to have sex tonight.
Felt his hand rest on her back, leading her to 'Slow Dancing Swaying to the Music by Johnny Rivers.
Placing her hand on his blue button down oxford shoulder as they moved to the song playing and like the lyrics, just him and his lady MJ as he moved with her. This was nice as he dipped her, earning a full rich delighted surprised laugh.
This was fun.
Trip heard it as his mossy green eyes fell on hers. ''Jess?''
''Yes.'' Licking her dry lips. Her eyes with a gleam on his, enjoying this with him. ''What is it Trip?''
''The door, I think it's your date.''
Oh.
MJ liked dancing with Trip.
Michael-Gregory Whipple gave a weird strained smile at MJ's daughter. Odele was standing in front of him with narrowed eyes.
Who was this clown? Trip was perfect for her Mom. Not him.
He didn't like kids at all. Holding out a perfect bouquet which MJ took and went to get a vase for. Gushing they were just lovely.
Odele excused herself.
Trip was greeted by Michael-Gregory who took in her younger male assistant who seemed to be around her a lot. ''You're her assistant Trip right, so you type and you babysit for her too. Are you still just an intern?''
Trip shook his head. He was not an intern.
''I'm MJ's paralegal.''
Her paralegal. Michael-Gregory Whipple smirked at this fresh out of college kid. ''Got any tips on a date with MJ for me? I know she likes to win.''
Trip smiled at this prick, Michael-Gregory, he was so ruining this date.
''Just some advice. MJ she hates it when guys open doors for her. Feels it ostracizes her.''
Michael-Gregory Whipple listened engrossed as Trip filled him in. ''Do not pick up the tab. It pisses her off. Let her pay. She doesn't like it if you do. MJ believes it's subjecting her to chauvinism.''
Michael-Gregory Whipple would never have thought, MJ Mahoney was such a militant feminist.
''Just a warning to you don't even try holding her chair out. It's a waste on her.''
Michael-Gregory thanked Trip for his tips as MJ joined him.
MJ came out from the kitchen, after putting his flowers in water.
''Ready to go MJ?''
''Sure am. Goodnight Trip. I'll talk to you later tonight.'' MJ promised, she took her wrap from Trip as she reminded him that her number was on the fridge.
Trip smiled. He had hers programmed in his smart phone. Trip took her calls even in the shower.
MJ's mouth fell open at Michael-Gregory leaving her the bill.
This was worst night of her life, second only to finding Ira's on top of his nurse/assistant, insisting as an ear, nose and throat specialist he was just giving his nurse a checkup.
Ira's interests went above and below the upper torso of this nurse.
He lied he was just being friendly to his staff. MJ bristled at Ira's lame excuse. ''I like to be open to my staff Mary Jess. It's friendly. It's European.''
MJ coldly said. ''Ira, I lived in Paris and I don't think I've been to any office in Europe where the boss says hello, welcome to this job by sticking their tongue down their staff's throat.''
Odele was five and MJ filed for a divorce. She stayed with Miranda that week as he moved out of their place.
Mary Jess went through pints of her favorite ice cream and Kleenex.
She got rid of everything that was his.
Throwing out Ira's mother's ugly dinner set she pretended to like. She sold his golf clubs on EBay and his table tennis trophies and his canoe maliciously and Miranda intervened swiftly over her being glued to watching on a loop her wedding day and almost burning the tape still in her wedding dress.
That was a dark time, her divorce. Helped along by Miranda and Burgundy Pinot Noir and burying herself in her work.
Ira she thought had no equal in treating her lousy. Michael-Gregory surpassed him tonight.
Michael-Gregory didn't even get the door for her as they left the restaurant and she had to leave a tip.
''Well I'd love to do this again, MJ.'' Michael-Gregory said, hailing a cab on the curb.
Do this again. Was he kidding? MJ decided she'd rather walk.
''Dinner at Sant Ambroeus Friday?''
MJ balked, she was never seeing him again. He was the worst date in the city or universe. Cheap. No manners. She just paid for dinner. He'd even made her pay him back for her ticket at The Met.
She knew he always seemed like an arrogant jerk off, talking about his sports car and at the company bbq in Southampton wearing pink Bermuda shorts which he got when went to the island to their partner firm.
He looked like a pink Easter egg pastel school boy with knee socks.
''I don't think so Michael-Gregory.''
Michael-Gregory face fell at that. ''MJ I like you. I enjoy being around you.''
MJ blinked at him. ''Sorry Michael-Gregory I don't agree, tonight was bad. I don't think we need a repeat.''
''Bad how so?'' Michael-Gregory asked confused.
MJ knew Miranda often warned her she could be too blunt but this guy needed to be filled in. Even the hostess noticed how horrible he was to her. ''Michael-Gregory, this was a horrible date with you.''
''How so?''
MJ's mouth dropped open at him. How so? Was he for real. ''You made me check our coats. I paid you for my ticket and for dinner and I left the tip.''
''Trip said that's what you want.'' Michael-Gregory confessed.
''Trip said what?'' MJ's mouth hardened at this. ''Tell me more of what Trip said.''
Jess's brows came together as Michael-Gregory told her.
Andrea didn't need to be nervous about her small apartment.
It was fine. Miranda liked it and she had brought dessert with her.
Dabbing her mouth with a napkin, Andy had cleared, Miranda was having a hell of a time, deciding not to join her and help wash the dishes by stripping naked and blowing soap suds coyly.
Andy slipped back beside her, before she could make that reality.
Lost in her baby blue eyes dancing in the candlelight glow, Andy resisted the urge as Miranda drew hearts on her arm to re-lay her table with them on it.
Unboxing dessert for them, Natalie her Patissier made this just for two.
Taking a spoon between her long fingers and scooping some to taste.
Miranda held out her spoon in offer as Andy took a bite, swallowing with her brown eyes sparkling on Miranda's grey blue.
''So do you like this Andy?''
''Mmm.''
''Let it explode in your mouth, what do you taste?'' Miranda sensually urged.
Andy took another taste from Miranda's mouth naughtily.
''I can taste coffee, and I think goji berries. Uh Miranda?'' Andy choked out, wheezing as her throat was tightening, gasping out. ''does this have walnuts in it?''
''Yes. Andrea.'' Miranda stilled and paled at Andy's reaction. Oh my god Andrea!''
Grabbing her phone and dialing 911 quickly.
MJ was giving Trip the silent treatment all last night and now on this early Monday morning. Not one text was sent to him.
He was sorry. Really sorry and now she wouldn't even talk to him.
Holding her favorite coffee he got it, in apology.
Trip slumped down in his chair. Her door was closed, that meant a bad day.
Last night she'd just told him to just leave and to never get involved in her dates again.
Martha and Ms. Gresham told him the news.
''Trip have you heard. Ms. Mahoney's not in today. Didn't she say Trip, she took a sick day.''
Trip was the last to know, he knew one thing, MJ Mahoney didn't take sick days.
MJ padded around in her robe and slippers at ten in the morning.
Emptying her dishwasher. Trip still pissed her off, he was going to prove he could type 70wpm when got back to work.
He'd deliberately ruined her date on her with Michael-Gregory. How could Trip do that to her?
Didn't he know, she hadn't been asked out in a year? She made an effort even if was just for Whipple.
He had no right to do that to her. Her phone rang interrupting her thoughts on Trip sadistically urging her date to be horrible to her.
''Mir slow down. Why are you in hospital? What…what happened to Andy?''
Jess consoled her on the line. ''Stop it, you did not. You're kisses are not poison. Of course she'll forgive you it. It's Andy. She loves you. She does. Mir.''
MJ was driven, divorced and powerful, one of the most influential lawyers in the city, she also never was sick ever. Trip could vouch for it. All his time by her side she was never ill.
She ate Korean bbq at midnight and was fine but on the phone this morning, she didn't sound fine to him. Meghan had it on speaker he heard her. Why hadn't she called him to tell him?
Trip knew why because she was still mad at him.
Was it the flu she came down with? Did Whipple give her something.
Trip scanned her diary on the screen, he'd get Martha to fill in for the day, to field and forward anything to him. He was going to see her.
She might need him. She also had to forgive him. She had to.
Odele was going to a sleepover tonight with Cassidy and Caroline at a Dalton classmate's house who was a United Nation's ambassador's daughter. The three of them were teaching her about S'mores.
MJ was in her fleece robe, flipping daytime television channels, making a face at one romance on, Mir was lucky she had Patricia to mope with before Andy came into her life.
Maybe Mir could loan out Patricia the snuggler to her.
Hearing her door unlocking, she'd put her chain on it. His voice made her rigid on her couch. ''MJ?''
Jess groaned into her pillow. Trip was not welcome after what he did.
Pulling her head up from the cushion. ''Trip what are you doing here at my door. Go back to the firm or you can give your two weeks' notice.''
MJ meant it.
''MJ. Fine. Fire me but I demand you let me in first. So I can see you're okay.''
He was checking in on her, the big jerk. Trip was so infuriatingly like an eagle scout or a stubborn golden retriever with a ball.
Talking through the door to her in the hallway. Tempting her. '' I've got some soup and also that rolled ice cream you like and a few other goodies. Are you sick? ''
Shaking it through the chain at her. Like a peace offering.
Getting up from the sofa, in her fluffy socks, MJ took it from his outstretched large hand through the door ajar, peering into the bag. Trip got her all this.
MJ chewed her lip. He did all that for her.
Even when she had morning sickness with Odele. Ira never did anything like this for her.
Damn Trip's mother raising him to be so sweet. She was accepting this but still so mad at him.
Smiling at the door at him. Wait a sec, she was still really really mad at him. What he told Michael-Gregory to do on their date was so unforgivable.
''Can I come in?'' Trip asked quietly, tracing the door between them out in the hall.
Waiting, Trip heard the chain pulled, slowly opening it up, to her standing in front of him.
''Am I still fired?'' Trip grinned down at her.
Her hair was mussed and she was in her reading glasses.
''Depends on, if you tell me why you did that to me, I might not let you go from Mahoney Law but it better be a good reason explained to this counselor in front of you.''
Trip looked at her, swallowing hard. ''MJ no Mary Jess I didn't want you to go out with him because he's not worth you.''
''Oh and who's worth me Trip?'' Folding her arms at him. ''Tell me.''
Looking at him and then down at her printed socks.
''Me.''
MJ eyes flew up, huge on his.
''You.''
''Counselor Mahoney, you make me want to wish I asked you first out to dinner and buy not just roses for you but a ring and you also make me want to make you love me. I love you Mary Jess even when you have a problem with my Mr. Rogers cardigans and my transcribing.
Yeah I know I shouldn't have done what I did that night, but I thought you and Whipple might have sex and the only person who should ever attempt do that with you is me. So that's why I'm here with soup and this bag of sweets you like to eat at your desk. Please Jess say something back.''
He loves her. MJ stared at Trip, just lost for words. That was a first for her. Shutting the door on him suddenly.
''Mary Jess!'' Not expecting telling her he loves her, she just slams the door on his face. Hurt by her doing that, he was just going to go.
He wouldn't give his two weeks' notice. He'd pack his desk up today.
He'd still tell Nestor her doorman to watch out for MJ.
MJ saw herself in the hall mirror in horror, he saw her like this and he still thought she was worth it.
Fast dialing Mir.
''He loves me. Now what do I do?''
Miranda answered her phone well opening a Jello cup for Andy who was in a hospital bed.
Andy was doing better and she felt terrible about the walnuts kiss.
''Who loves you?''
''Trip!''
''He bought me 10 below rolled ice cream and told me he loves me and I freaked and slammed the door on him.''
''Jess just go get him. Don't overthink it. He loves you.''
He loves her. Straightening her hair with her combing fingers quickly as she saw him through the spyhole leaving. Opening the door up to him. ''Trip wait, don't you dare go anywhere.''
Trip stopped at her voice, his back turned on her.
''Theo William Whitford III inside now.
Trip turned around and looked at her long and hard. ''You may approach me.'' MJ had brushed her hair.
''You said that you love me.'' MJ said this sounding like in a court room.
Trip met her eyes slowly, eating his pain. Why was MJ doing this to him? He knew, she was like a shark in court. ''Yes. That's what I said. I love you Jess. I guess by the door you don't feel the same.''
MJ swallowed hard with an inscrutable face, folding her arms. ''I just want to deliberate on a few things that have developed. Trip.''
MJ's hands shook. ''Theo, I want to share with you, what I don't want in somebody. He can never make me pay for dinner out, or wear pink shorts. He has to never admire any nurse who belongs in a Russ Myers film.''
''Okay?'' Trip looked confused at that. He had no idea who Russ Myers was.
''He cannot play table tennis. Ever. No mankinis at my Beach house.'' Trip nodded seriously.
''I only wear boxers.'' Trip shared. ''Speedos on my swim team.''
''Good I can live with that.'' MJ held his gaze.
''No golf. Coz I hate that sport.''
''I only rowed in college. I play some basketball near the river.'' Trip said.
''These are my non-negotiable terms and now to the things I do want in somebody I happen to really love in someone, he has to share ramen dumplings with me at midnight. Be crazy about me. Make blush talking about my shirt at Mir's. It's a deal breaker and a must.''
''I see. A must.'' Leaning closer to her as his eyes sparkled on Jess.
''He also has a Star Wars bobble head on a pen taking notes and thinks I don't know about it and also he has to sing Grease off key with my eleven year old. Also go to three pet shops to replace Odele's goldfish I killed.''
Trip grinned. It was actually four stores he went to. Odele still believed they grew, coming back from camp.
''That's going to be tough to find on Tinder.'' Trip said smiling fully at her.
MJ's eyes crinkled on him. ''Do you think so? Trip I'm sorry about the door.''
Tiptoeing up to him, running her finger across his chiseled jaw, hoping he forgave her for slamming the door after he said those three most wonderful words to her. ''Are you going to kiss me or not? Because I love you Trip, two first names.''
''I'm thinking about it. Mahoney permission to approach your lips.''
''Granted.''
Trip cupped her face and kissed her as she returned it equally, running her fingers through his wavy hair.
Breaking apart after kissing for what felt like a whole ten minutes without coming up for air. Trip grinned as he saw MJ looked happy and dazed as he picked her up easily in his arms. ''So should we move this to inner chambers counselor?''
MJ nodded eagerly as she let her robe, fall over her shoulders.
''Yes definitely yes.''
Kicking the door shut with his foot.
Thirty Minutes Later
MJ was so glad sex with Ira was horrible and disappointingly quick because sex with Trip whose abs she could wash clothes on was just sheet grabbing amazing as she was still breathless against the pillows.
She'd have to write Ira a note. It was always he came. He slept. Phrasing it in her mind. To her ex Ira with his receding hair and being an ear, nose and throat doctor with an enormous ego thanks for being just lousy in the sack.
It prepared her and primed her for Trip.
She'd have to send Human Resources, a bottle of wine or a fancy handbag from Miranda's Closet for sending her this guy for keeps.
Wrapping his arms around her. ''MJ what are you thinking about?''
''I'm just glad I picked you and not that other applicant.''
Leaning up on his elbow, Trip grinned at her. ''Tell me. Why did you choose me that day?'' Kissing her shoulder.
MJ bit her lip, why did she choose Trip. She liked he talked back in their interview together.
''You had better legs then her, being on a swim team and all.'' Squealing as he pinned her with kiss and nuzzle of his nose down along her hip.
'' I also didn't think you'd last long under me.''
Trip rolled her, his naked body on hers. ''Now about lasting long with you under me. How about we give this another round. Mahoney.''
MJ's mouth quirked, the sheets moving with them. '' You're on Whitford but the verdict's still out.''
'' Ooohh.''
Emily slipped into the hospital room to see Miranda fussing over the brunette who was in a hospital gown on this lunch time hour.
''I am so sorry about last night.''
Andy's voice was hoarse. ''Miranda I'm fine. Honest.''
Miranda had now three epi pens in her purse.
Emily got them for her.
Watching Miranda her feared dragon lady boss in her red Louboutins, pouring Andy a juice. Gently holding it out to sip. ''Don't exert yourself Andy.''
Emily's eyes were huge on them. They were a couple.
Complete opposites a lot like her and Serena.
She knew about their date last night, planned by Andy down to interrogating her over the phone over what candle scents Miranda disliked and was told all about the meal she was cooking from scratch but this happening, poor Andrea being put in ER from having sex with Miranda.
Lenox Hospital and Leslie were doing a really good job. Lying it was walnuts for Page Six to believe.
At least it happened now and not when Andy worked at Runway. Try explaining that reason to Elias-Clarke company health insurers. Dental was and Eye care. Not put in the A&E because of sex with Miranda wasn't covered for her assistants.
Especially and only one brown eyed one named her Andréa.