Andy had changed. Lily knew it. Nate knew it. Her parents, Doug, hell everyone knew it. Even she had begun to notice the differences in her character- she was more confident and self-assured. Physically she was a completely different person; her hair was sleek and shiny, she had learnt from Nigel how to wear designer clothes and make it look effortless. And she'd lost weight, not by any conscious decision, but from running around day after day and not to mention the sheer stress of her job.
Andy reasoned it was ok to change, to evolve, to grow. As long as she didn't sacrifice her morals or sense of self, then it was alright to like wearing couture, it was acceptable to devote endless hours of her life to something as 'frivolous' as a fashion magazine. And most of all, it was certainly ok to admire and respect Miranda Priestly. Nate didn't understand and a part of Andy suspected he was jealous. Jealous that she had grown up, that she had adult responsibilities and a tough yet glamorous job that, despite all the bullshit, Andy had grown to love. It was because of this that Andy didn't fight harder for them. As long as Nate was happy to stay the same and let life go on around them, they would never work out as a couple. So, she had let him go, as much for his sake for hers.
And so she found herself in a romantic restaurant in Paris with a man she barely knew. When the conversation came around to the topic of Miranda Priestly, she had resolutely defended the woman she thought she hated. And it had felt good doing so. It was nothing to do with the job, or sucking up to her boss, it was honest and heartfelt and completely unexpected. If she had a chance to think about it at the time, she probably would not have fallen into bed with Christian a few short hours later, but the dizzying combination of excellent wine and the bright lights of Paris had distracted her attention long enough tat she didn't dwell on the realization that she might like Miranda as a person, something she'd never thought possible. But instead she found herself, a mere 8 hours later, running wildly through the streets with a head that felt like it was hosting the world's largest drum appreciation convention.
All she could think about was how fragile and vulnerable Miranda had been last night as she spoke of her divorce and her fears for her children. She had cried. The strongest woman Andy had ever known had sat before her and cried and it had taken all of Andy's self resolve not to jump up from where she was sitting and grab Miranda into an embrace. But that would have been all kinds of inappropriate so she had just sat there, staring stupidly and taking notes as Miranda struggled to regain her composure.
When she had finally found Miranda and tried to tell her of Irv's plan to depose her, Miranda hadn't listened. Andy had sat with what felt like a stone sitting in her stomach. And then the unthinkable happened and Andy had watched as Miranda saved her own ass at the expense of her friend and confidante. Andy couldn't believe it. Had she really been so naive as to think that Miranda was just misunderstood and the subject of criticism and ridicule purely because people were jealous?
The rest of the banquet had passed in a blur of forced smiles and repressed anger as Andy dutifully followed Miranda as she made her rounds. It wasn't long before they were in the back of the Mercedes, en route to the next party. Andy had sulked and maintained a stony silence, staring out the window as Paris passed by. Miranda had been first to speak, managing to make a thank you sound like an insult as she praised Andy's attempts to tell her of Irv's scheme. Andy had pouted further, which prompted Miranda to try again 'I see a great deal of myself in you Andrea'. Andy had gritted her teeth and disagreed, she would never, could never have done that to Nigel. But Miranda stood her ground, pointing out that Andy had done something similar to Emily by coming to Paris. She was right, Miranda had pissed all over Nigel to save her job, Andy had had done the same to Emily whether she wanted to admit it or not.
Andy stopped listening as Miranda made a speech about business being a dog eat dog world and playing dirty was the only way to keep your head above water...sink or swim...blah blah blah. It had taken all of her mental strength not to get out of the car and run away, far away from Miranda, the magazine and the direction her life was taking. She nearly did it but at the last minute she had relented and followed her boss up the hotel steps. Besides, she needed a drink. Lots of drinks. So after fighting their way through the paparazzi and reporters and making a grand entrance, Andy left Miranda to talk about Armani's fall line with group after gaggling group of simpering fashionistas and navigated her way to the bar where she ordered a whiskey sour and a beer chaser, not caring if anyone saw, she knocked back the amber liquid and sucked down half of the designer beer the barman had placed in front of. It tasted horrible but it had the desired effect when, almost immediately, she felt a warm fog drift into her head. All she wanted was not to think for a while.
That was where Miranda had found her- propping up the bar at one of the most exclusive parties of the year. She hadn't been impressed, uttering a curt 'we're leaving now' and sweeping out into the lobby to wait for the car. They rode in total silence for entire journey back to the hotel. Miranda hadn't even looked at Andy such was her disgust.
Andy was in a blissful state of ignorance thanks to the alcohol coursing through her system. She tripped her way up the lobby steps, giggling at her own clumsiness and ignoring the looks of utter contempt that were being directed at her by a certain silver haired demon. The elevator ride passed in silence, Miranda standing with lips pursed and nostrils flaring while Andy swayed slightly on her feet, emitting the occasional hiccup. They arrived on their floor and Miranda stalked out of the car and disappeared straight into her room, slamming the door behind her and leaving Andy to fumble with her key card for a full five minutes before falling into her room. She had enough presence of mind to kick off her Jimmy Choos and wriggle out of her dress before dragging back the covers on her bed and collapsing onto the mattress.
She was asleep before her head hit the pillows.