Runway Offices
Andy was late for Miranda. No one was late for Miranda Priestly.
Abby glanced at the appointment on the diary that read Andrea Sachs was now exactly fifty five minutes late for her boss.
Her human resources training manual didn't cover this nor did Emily's surviving Miranda notes.
Emily had just returned from Nigel, blinking Andy Sachs was not rushing through Runway's doors.
With that or dressed like that.
Maybe Miranda wouldn't notice.
Miranda voice carried out from her office. Emily muttered. ''Bugger.''
''Emily do stop breathing like a race horse and bring me Andrea.''
''Hi Em.'' Andy mouthed.
Still holding her helmet and a Gonz Chrome messenger bag with City Ryder logo on a tight top, Andy strided into Miranda's sleek office.
Not looking over the rim of her reading glasses as Andy set her helmet down on Miranda's desk.
Calmly flicking through a folder, composing herself. Waiting for an explanation.
''Miranda I'm late. I'm sorry, I know you said 10. I just had to be somewhere.''
Miranda's frosty silence was always worse than raising her voice, which to Andrea she'd never done. Yet.
Her icy tone was waspishly silky to Andy.
'' Yes. Here in my office.'' Miranda cut her off. Tapping her Cartier watch. ''Andrea, I am correct in presuming you can tell time?''
Andy glared at Miranda's bent silver head.
Raising her blue eyes up at Andréa's state.
''Andrea apparently you are in need of watch. Why are you dressed like that?'' Andy wore a metal hoop thingy around her waist. Andy's bike lock. Drenched from raining outside.
''For my second job. I work as bike messenger.''
No Miranda did not have her eyes linger on Andy's toned arms or legs in fitted clinging cycle apparel, flittering quickly down to her Chrome camo sneakers.
Arching a scathing brow, at those worn in front of her.
Sweaty and wet. ''I'll just go change.'' Andy offered. Her drizzle soaked cycle gear dripping on Miranda's cream carpet. She would use some paper towels in the staff bathroom.
''No. Not there, you may change and I suggest do shower, Andrea. In there.'' Waving an ivory manicured hand to her office bathroom.
Andy balked at Miranda, she didn't, couldn't mean in Miranda's executive bathroom. To use it.
Andy was shocked with this nice gesture that Miranda offered.
Miranda was never nice.
''Okay just give me ten.'' Trailing off by Miranda's stare. ''Five minutes.''
Knowing Miranda she'd time it.
Nigel was half listening to his harried redhead colleague who'd wheeled Andy's bike into his office.
''Do you know who has crawled back here? Who is meeting with Miranda and was late. Late.''
Nigel was wiping his glasses as Emily ranted.
''Why is she back, that sunny blob?'' Emily was clutching a memo in her fist. ''you know what will happen she'll make Miranda go Defcon 1 in five minutes together.''
''You and I know how she was after Paris about her.''
Nigel had an inkling who.
''Six.''
''Ms Okie Dokie Ohio dressed like some courier wearing camo sneakers! In front of Miranda.''
''Emily make me a lemon tea.''
Emily stammered. ''Miranda.'' Lemon tea right. Giving Nigel the eye for not warning her of Miranda being right behind her.
Leaving Miranda and Nigel in his office. ''So I hear Six is visiting us. Emily's overjoyed.''
''Miranda. Six…Andy is aware what this article is about. Right.'' Nigel hoped.
Miranda just smiled to herself.
Runway and she were not trivial and not a silly fashion magazine and just because Miss Okie Dokie Ohio walked away from it when anybody and everybody would want this, her world. Would be teaching Andrea a thing or two in these next two weeks.
Nigel didn't like that look on Miranda's face.
Poor Six always got their prickly Priestly into an icy snit.
Nigel shook his bald head, smoothing his ascot, really hoping his love blind Editor didn't ruin any chance with Miss Wonderful and Miss Right for herself by making Six run away too soon and again.
Since her egocentric, mean-spirited, tactless and uncaring ex-Stephen was out of the picture.
Nigel saw who was a perfect match for his cautious Editor.
The door was ajar, Andy was humming a song Cassy and Car had mix taped that was stuck in her head, drying her hair with an Egyptian cotton towel.
Miranda silently approached, knocking softly, didn't intend to catch sight of Andréa slipping on a pair of slacks.
She was not ogling Sachs. Miranda Priestly Editor in Chief of Runway did not ogle.
Miranda flushed at glimpsing Andrea's naked body.
Bare feet sunk into Miranda's cream carpet, holding camo sneakers.
Lemon tea in bone china was put under her nose meeting serious blue eyes pinning her to the spot.
''Andréa since you began your day cycling through a Tsunami, let us not waste anymore of it.''
''Sure. Where do we begin Miranda?'' Andy couldn't wait to start writing.
What she once wanted to do at Runway.
Sure every day, Andy stood half naked in a room, full of dressed strangers' like an inanimate object being pinned by Nigel and a stranger named Sergio
She was getting back at Priestly for this. So getting back
This was to show Andy how much work went into details of how a dress was created and draped not just worn.
Miranda also was conversing in fluent french with the up and coming designer of the dress Andy was in. It all sound Pepé Le Pew to barely covered Andy.
Andy was watching each pin Nigel and Sergio tacked near her bronze skin as Abby was showing in two investors in Runway to Miranda.
''Andy.''
''Andy Sachs. Hello again.''
Miranda straightened, tilting her white head, how did her VIP visitor to Runway know Andréa, so well.
Andy smiled warmly. ''C.C. Hi.''
Irv Ravitz's wife C.C. knew Andréa. How?
C.C. was Miranda's age. Stunning and very sophisticated.
''You both know each other?'' Miranda found herself asking.
''C.C. has the nicest pair of rhododendrons in town.'' Miranda gave Andy a piercing look. Does she.
''How is my orchid growing good advice biker?'' C.C. Ravitz asked Andy.
''Isn't she adorable Miranda?''
Miranda tilted her head at Andrea not saying a word in contemplation.
''Hope you still don't have road rash? I am still so livid with Gordon swerving and bumping you. All because of that cab's car door. I told the Mayor.''
C.C. had assured Andy she'd give him an earful about poor bikers and Andy's peeve. Bike summons
Hearing C.C. ran over Andréa, Miranda pursed her red lips at C.C. inspecting Andy so familiarly. Lifting Andy's toned arm to a fresh bruise.
''Andy here, is amazing with her hands. Miranda.''
Miranda's brows raised into her hairline, catching Andy's eyes. ''Is she.''
'' After I ran Andy over, I had her in later for sorry I ran you over brunch and she brought me a beautiful Phalaenopsis and Cattleya orchids because my gardener packed up. INS. Andy here, kindly came round and mowed, trimmed and pruned my garden for me.''
Nigel had never thought he'd see it, Miranda Priestly jealous. Concealed but chillily flaring and reflected in her blue eyes. All over Six trimming C.C.'s perennials.
Andy's not bruised arm was hugged by C.C.
''Jonathan's birthday went wonderful Andy, that idea of yours was better than having it at our stuffy country club.''
Chatting animatedly to Andy for a half an hour like they were best friends, all about Irv and her son's party at a dog shelter.
''Never be a corporate wife. Andy. Never.''
Andy eyes lit amused. ''I'll watch my step. C.C.''
Andy was silently watched by Miranda the whole time with C.C. who inundated Andy with this and that talking to her with an easy camaraderie Miranda bristled about.
Andrea and she were not like that. Why was it so easy with someone like C.C. to talk to Andrea and not her?
Andrea just ingratiated people with her warmth, Miranda her ice.
''Goodnight Miranda.''
It was late, wheeling her bike pass Miranda's office, Andy didn't get a response from Miranda in goodbye as she left for the night.
Nigel's saw Andy out, the elevator closed as he came back and rapped on Miranda's door, his quip earned a cold look maybe if Miranda was a little nicer and less acrid she could get Six to come round and scythe and prune hers.
Priestly Townhouse
''You're mush Mom admit it.''
Miranda was on the couch with her babies, her twins Cassidy and Caroline and no this movie's ending was not making her need tissues.
Sniffling. Not at all. She was not mushy. Maybe when her bobbsies first walked and talked, gave her handmade cards on holidays or James being Mr. Insensitive when she was carrying them watching a Hallmark card commercial and tearing up, only interest James had in her pregnancy was her very ample cup size.
Patricia panted over to them.
Cassidy raised her brow skeptical in the exact way her Mom did. ''So if say someone kissed you just like that and I said I love you in the rain you wouldn't be mush Mom?''
Miranda flicked the remote control off. Lying. ''No Cassy I wouldn't be.''
Cassidy blew her bright red hair out of her face. Mom was soo lying. She would be. Mush.
Caroline watched Mom tidying up, placing each cushion back, and taking their mugs.
''Mom if you got a new partner, you'll have sex right, huh.''
Miranda almost dropped each cocoa mug. What on earth was Dalton teaching her bobbsies? Should be taught Austen and history and art not about it.
Or was James their father on his time letting her innocent babies watch TV without parental control?
Next thing she'd hear from Caroline, teen pregnancy at thirteen and condoms. Stammering out.
''Caroline why would you ask me this?''
Car point blank. ''Durr. Mom sex ed. Cable. If you date you'll have sex.'' Leaving out reading Cara's Cosmo.
Miranda vowed it, James was dead. Him and his midnight TV 18+ channels.
Typical of him.
Just like that one time, she left him in charge of Cassidy and Caroline at five and he left them at a drop off day care center like a coat check. Got a call from both asking her what pot brownies were?
Roy had never driven faster.
''Just Mom don't be all cold and mean to them when you want to be safe with your heart.'' Miranda rinsed out each mug, filling up Patricia's bowl.
''Ah Mom and just so you know.''
''Yes Caroline?''
''When you both do it don't set car alarms off by screaming to loud. Spare the neighbor's and us.''
''Caroline.''
James was getting a phone call tonight.
Patricia had been a birthday gift for Mom and she loved that soppy canine.
Cassidy elbowed Caroline at that, so Andy was a perfect gift for Mom tonight. Cuddly and loyal and by the way Clarissa the barista and others said Hiii Andy friendly.
It was Miranda's birthday this morning, woken up by her girls who gave two of their gifts to her.
''Dad took us to Elizabeth Arden last weekend and we didn't get what he suggested an acid face peel.''
James or Stephen's great ideas were standard operating procedure of red roses, an expensive bracelet or necklace and a night at The Plaza.
Told Mom they had another present for later. A bigger one.
Snuggled to. ''Is it something I can wear or carry? '' Earned a full giggle from Cassidy.
''It's something you need Mom.''
''Oh that explains it perfectly.''
Laying out her choice today to wear from her walk in closet.
Grinning at Mom. ''It has golden brown hair and likes fetching.''
''Cassidy Anne Priestly it had better not be a Labrador or a Cocker spaniel.''
Enigmatic to Mom. ''You'll have to wait and see.''
Pouring juice at breakfast for both, Miranda saw over Cassy's shoulder she was texting someone named Ryder.
''Who is Ryder?''
Cassy turned around. ''Ryder.''
''Yes Cassy who you've been texting all through breakfast.''
Mom missed nothing. ''Oh yeah Ryder.''
Cassy gave the eye to Caroline who nonchalantly began spooning her cereal. ''Ryder's cool. She's met you and likes you a lot Mom.''
Miranda couldn't place this Ryder. ''Is she in ballet with you both?''
''I was just sharing it's your birthday with her. She says Happy Birthday Ms. P. XO''
That was sweet of this Ryder.
''I just told her that you secretly like Caramel Brule.''
Miranda did not share with her staff it was her birthday so thankfully Roy didn't wish her something as plebian as Happy Birthday.
The ivory card came with colorful happy bright flowers.
Before Miranda could read it, Nigel plucked the card up.
'Let's have dinner tonight Chez Vonnet, 8'o clock what do you say?'
Curious.
Miranda would have to dish.
Andy was due in any minute. So was Miranda.
''Hi Andy. Oh okay you'll meet up with Miranda.'' Abby wondered what that meant exactly.
Andy sounded like stuck in traffic.
Hurtling and swerving midtown traffic flowing through it, manoeuvring the fast ins-and-outs towards 1221 6th Avenue and West 49th Street, Manhattan searching for a license plate.
Miranda was not mush as Cassidy and Caroline told her she was from last night's The Notebook, heaven help her when The Choice comes out.
Rapping on her Mercedes tinted window broke her thoughts.
Blue eyes blinked. ''Andrea.''
Rolled it down to her.
''Good Morning.''
Stalled in traffic, Roy was driving her, through the side mirror of Ms Priestly's silver Mercedes, Roy smiled at Andy Sachs bent head in Ms Priestly's window.
''Here your coffee Ms Madam. You look lovely, I like that colour.'' Miranda was wearing slate with charcoal making her eyes sparkle with more definition.
''What are you doing?'' Miranda demanded.
''Coffee deliveries to car windows and also happy birthday wishes.'' Andy grinned at her startled reaction.
Holding onto the window rim, lightly brushing Miranda's fingertips, taking the hot paper cup from Andy.
''Tell me, Ms Priestly do you feel this is a good beginning in a traffic jam on your birthday.''
''All part of this friendly morning survey.''
Miranda sipped it begrudgingly. Caramel Brulee, a secret indulgency, noticing someone's number on the cup. Fingering a scrawled 'Clarissa.' With a heart.
Andy raised her brows sheepish. ''Clarissa's a great barista.''
Miranda scoffed figures Sachs had baristas called Clarissa falling over themselves giving out numbers and caramel toppings faster than Sachs could get someone to smile.
''I got you something. Two things.'' Andy rummaged in her bag slung across her front, real smooth Sachs sweep her off her feet by almost handing Miranda your bike pump.
Producing it. Lit it. ''Make a wish.''
A cupcake with a silly candle in it, took it from Andrea silently. ''A wish.'' Fine. Miranda did so.
''Happy Birthday Miranda.''
Miranda took the oddly shaped gift. ''It's really delicate and it rivals your blue eyes.''
Stuck in gridlock at a standstill.
Lent on her window close to Miranda's face. ''So who am I disrobing for today birthday girl?''
Miranda almost sputtered her drink.
Honked at to move.
''Hang on. I'll meet you at Elias in a bit.''
Roy chauffeured the sleek town car forward, towards Runway as Andy did a speeding pedal towards incoming traffic swiftly doing a u turn down another street that nearly gave Miranda a mild heart attack. Almost was sideswiped by a bus.
Miranda Priestly never waited on a curb for anyone yet here she was waiting for Andrea.
Saw her locking her bike, Andy looked up to Miranda standing over her.
''Don't ever do anything that stupid again.'' Miranda was so angry she was shaking, Andrea could have been hurt or killed.
''What wrong flavour?'' Most people liked Red Velvet cupcakes.
''Of all the truly idiotic brainless...
Andy blinked at that tone missing the concern, standing there. ''Fine. What the hell is you're problem Miranda?''
''Excuse me.'' Miranda fumed. ''I do not have any problem with you Andrea.''
''Really. Miranda any chance you get you're breaking my balls.''
Miranda was livid at Andy. ''First Andrea I do not break anyone's…
Couldn't say it, that crude saying busting her non-existent balls and Andrea didn't have any.
Andy growled leave it to La Priestly to ruin a line from Goodfellas.
''No cos all yesterday aside from dressing me like your personal Barbie you looked at me like I was dirt, talking with C.C.''
''I am so sorry you found yesterday so discomforting with me.''
Andy had had it. Birthday or not. ''Miranda I am trying to be nice to you.''
''Nice to me. Andrea you can't stand me you made that very obvious in Paris.'' Miranda was walking away as Andy followed her into Elias-Clarke lobby bickering.
''Forget Paris. Miranda.'' Saw Miranda halt her stride.
Andy knew she'd heard. Paris that place always came between them.
Miranda swiftly stepping into an empty elevator, as Andy followed her inside doors closing on them.
Miranda blue eyes darkened narrowing on her in here.
''You want me to forget Paris just like that. With you being unprofessional and immature by leaving Runway. Me. Tell me Andréa, am I that difficult to be around.''
Andy was very close in Miranda's personal space, inches from her mouth. Somehow needed to break this tension that lingered between them
''Yes. For me especially.''
''Why?'' Held Andy's eyes.
''Miranda in Paris, I just couldn't be near you.'' Andy saw Miranda flinch at her words.
''Miranda listen. No. Not that. God no.'' Andy smiled. ''I don't hate you. I mean you drive me crazy at times. Most times.''
Andy got a cold glare for that.
''Your uncompromisingly demanding and viciously acerbic but sexy and you've got those eyes I want to do anything for.''
Miranda pursed her lips at Andréa's words. She was what, Andréa just said. Sexy. About her eyes quieted any cutting barb.
''I see.'' Not that Miranda saw where this was coming from. Andréa hated her right? Loathed the idea of being anything like her.
''Oh so you saw why I couldn't be with you anymore as just Andrea who brings coffee and swatches, be by you at Runway and continue with no meaning to you. When all I just wanted to do was this to you.''
''Do what?'' Miranda almost stepped back from Andy.
''This.''
Gripping the back of Miranda's silver head as Andy made her lips meet glossy painted ones. Miranda first felt rigid as Andy's hands caressed down her sharp suit, slowly stroking her through the expensive woven fabric pushed by Andy up against the wall.
Then Miranda began kissing her back. Andy felt her response to her kiss. Wow what a response.
Felt soft kisses along her forehead and over her eyebrow feathering the fine hairs and slicking Andy's lids, as Andy's exploring fingers slid slowly along and up Miranda's slit skirt, earning a low sensuous moan.
Andy guided her to arch by this electric pull of their fingers and tongues.
Andy fingers meeting a lacy barrier, trailing over Miranda, both pulsing against each other.
Quivering pressed to Andy, Miranda's stilled as Andy's thumb ran across her back stroking her lacy thong. Feeling smooth naked skin rounding as Andy splayed her fingers peeling leaver's lace down.
Miranda felt Andy's warmth of her fingertips brushing across her bottom.
Warm hands clasped Andy's wrist, stilling her touch on her. Miranda's mouth trailed Andy's face brushing up to her earlobe.
''Andrea. No.''
Ceasing her loving Miranda who disengaged away from her and was smoothing down her skirt, buttoning and adjusting her open and astrew silk blouse.
Maybe Andy had been a little overeager. Wanted Miranda since her first week if she'd been honest with herself.
How could Miranda do this to her. Known for being icily unpredictable and probably able to disconnect from everything else, but this kiss...tasting Andy's lips together with hers, sharing their breath, a little bit of their souls.
Andy was still hungry for her.
Unreadable blue eyes met her questioning brown as she just stepped off the elevator on the 17th Floor, leaving Andrea coldly as if that hadn't just happened.
What in the hell had just almost happened, in an elevator with Andrea. Miranda saw her reflection out of the corner of her eye of darker eyes and slightly mussed silver hair. Looked wanton and lusty, biting her lip of what was left of her lipstick.
Flouncing purposely through Runway's glass doors as many clackers scrambled to their desks or out of her way.
What a wonderful birthday like no other, Miranda mused angrily, almost screwed in an elevator by Andrea and she'd almost fallen reeling into Andy's kiss and body like some old fool. Could she be any more desperate a fuck to someone half her age?
Collecting herself because Miranda Priestly did not have almost quickies in elevators. With former assistants now bike couriers with a mouth that made her weak in the knees.
Miranda took her messages from Abby who hung up her black cashmere coat.
''Andrea is not coming in today.''
Abby frowned she liked Andy Sachs. She made this office interesting even for one day.
Sitting down at her desk, searching her bag, Miranda saw the wrapped gift from Andrea, had been told it was delicate, and placing it on her glass desk.
Andrea who had minutes ago kissed her ravenously. Crossing her legs at the way Andréa's fingers had delicately touched her all over and her tongue filling her mouth.
Running a hand through her silvery hair, blushing she had to stop Andréa from peeling them down.
Didn't want it quick or rough. Not in an elevator.
Unwrapping it. Andrea was right it almost rivalled her eyes. A Dutch Geest Orchideen Royal-blue Phalaenopsis.
''Abby get me everything on caring for orchids.''
Abby gaped. Miranda just called her by her name.
''Yes Miranda.''
Abby began her Google search for her.
Bright petals caught her sharp eye. Who on earth sent that, plucking up a card attached to flowers. Reading it to herself.
'Let's have dinner tonight Chez Vonnet, 8'o clock what do you say?'
Her mysterious future dinner companion wasn't Keats or Neruda. Traced the card with her fingers, hoping like hell it wasn't Stephen.
Abby was called from her desk.
'' Have Roy pick me up from my townhouse at 7:45 and take me to Chez Vonnet for 8pm.''
Andy was having a terrifically shitty day.
First almost having Miranda in an elevator and now this delivery to him, Stephen Tomlinson and it needed his signature.
Perfect.
There he was salt and pepper hair and Brooks Brother's stripes.
Not scribbling his signature on the damn package, that's all Andy needed him to do, barely lifting his head at Andy who got it, she wasn't important enough to greet or look at.
Pompous. Andy looked around his office, geez he sure liked himself a lot. Trophies. Stephen sailed. Stephen played squash.
Stopping frozen on her eyes looking at Andy.
Miranda's picture of her with his arms wrapped around her. Their wedding picture.
Stephen was still on the phone to someone on speaker. Master of his own universe. Andy view followed more Occupy Wall Street then Greed is Good.
''Tonight's my Rand's birthday. Of course you'll be seeing us in Caymans next month. No we're back together. We've been seeing Dr Inwood. I'm moving back in next week. I got a go. Squash next week. ''
His Rand's.
Miranda and he were getting back together. Andy froze at Stephen's words.
They were just separated. Miranda was choosing to be with him. Trying to shake it off, that's why in the elevator, Miranda stopped her, and now she had to get the hell out of Stephen's office
Hanging up on Tucker, Stephen buzzed his secretary. ''Lynn order nice flowers for Rand's birthday. Red roses are her favourite flower and get whatever kids at eleven like. Lynn also jewellery. Pick it. Something like diamonds. Write a card something romantic.''
Andy frowned. Red roses weren't Miranda's favourite. Secretaries writing cards, real swoony romantic.
Stephen saw Andy staring at the photos. ''Hey kid with some hard work you may get one yourself.'' He meant the sailboat or the Beach house. Not Miranda.
''If you can just sign.''
Signing it with a Mont Blanc pen, Stephen with his inflated monogrammed cuffs smiled at it. Opening the envelope in front of Andy. ''I'm getting back with my wife.''
Andy saw legal documents and she knew from Miranda's lawyers.
Felt like such a loser, she couldn't compete with Stephen and diamonds.
''Hiya Andy.''
Shep handed this over, he took it for Andy as it came to her desk as Andy sat down dully. ''You ok Sachs.'' Andy lied. ''Great.''
''This came for you.'' Handed it to Andy who opened it with a loud rip.
'Let's have dinner tonight Chez Vonnet, 8'o clock what do you say?'
'' Whoa Sachs. I'd go.'' Shep encouraged Andy to go.
Yeah Andy would and tonight forget about Miranda Priestly.