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Andy's crush continued to grow on her boss, especially during the night of the benefit. She had to stifle a gasp when she saw the beautiful woman descend the staircase in an inky, backless dress that made her look ethereal. And the mouthed "thank you" Andy received after she saved Miranda from embarrassment by dragging Irv into a conversation about John Cheever made her lose her heart to the older woman completely.
Late that night, hyped up on affection for Miranda, she logged onto the webcam site and pinged 'T'. A few minutes later, she let out a surprised gasp when the connection was made. Andy waved enthusiastically when she saw the familiar crossed stocking-clad legs and whiteboard poised and ready.
"Hey stranger," Andy smiled. "I'm so glad you're on tonight. It's been a while."
"Yes, Savannah, it has. Work has been extremely busy — even more so than usual. How have you been?"
"I've been good," Andrea couldn't help the blinding smile that lit up her face. "Can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
"I have a crush on my boss," she blurted out and then covered her blushing cheeks. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it — I don't have anyone else to tell."
There was a beat. Then the chair spun around and Andrea could tell the woman was scribbling fast.
"Are you sure?"
"What do you mean?" Andrea's forehead creased slightly. "Of course I am. I know she's married, and she'll never look at me in anything less than a professional manner, but I know when I lo-like someone."
"What do you like about her?"
"Well," Andy cupped her chin in her hand and a small smile graced her face as she thought about the formidable woman. "She's incredibly intelligent. She's the kind of person who you know knows a lot about a lot of different subjects. And her passion for her art and her work shines through in each edition of Runway, where she strives for the absolute best. She's also a wonderful mother. You can tell she loves her children very much. Remember the Miami hurricane I told you about? I think that's when I realized..." Andy blushed slightly, and then continued, "I mean, um, she's also very beautiful."
"Beautiful?"
"Mmm, yes," Andrea sighed. "She has the most incredible eyes. And the elegant way she carries herself, even though the world has thrown her utter shit at times, is..." The brunette shook herself and squared her shoulders. "I'm the woman I am today because of her — she's pushed me to become more confident in myself, and my abilities," her face then fell. "But again, she'll never see me that way. She's married to a wealthy man. I'm not nearly as connected, rich, or successful in my professional career. Plus, I'm fat," she whispered while looking down, the hurt from the old offhand comment resurfacing. "Ok, not truly. I've been working out and eating healthier, but I know I don't look like most of the women she sees on a daily basis...it's stupid to let this bother me so much."
"No, not stupid. Stupid of your boss. From what I can tell, Savannah, you are a beautiful woman. In my opinion, the very fact you're not like other women is a refreshing change. Ignore what she said."
Andrea shrugged with a half-hearted smile. "I'm trying." She shook herself. "I don't expect an apology, and I know she doesn't view me as fat now. Anyways," she cleared her throat, "thanks for letting me confess this. I've never felt this strongly for another woman before, so I'm a little hesitant to even voice it aloud." She lowered her eyes and then shyly peeked up and gave 'T' a smile. "Thanks for being there for me and being a safe person to come out to."
There was a pause. The chair spun around again, and this time, Andy was left staring at an almost black screen for a longer time. When the chair rotated again, the young woman quickly scanned the response, her mouth dropping open in disbelief as she read.
"Savannah, we need to stop our communication. This started out as revenge against my husband, and I've enjoyed our conversations, but it's no longer right to keep this going. You are a very bright, fetching, beautiful woman. I know one day your boss will see that."
"Wait, what –"
A gloved hand rose, waved weakly, and the screen went black, leaving Andy with the cruel sound of the piggy bank and her own dumbfounded expression reflected on the screen.
"What the fuck?" she whispered to no one in particular. Andrea pinged 'T' back three times, each attempt getting more frantic than the last. After no response, the young woman sat back in her chair and much to her chagrin, felt tears forming in her eyes.
Wiping them away furiously, she typed out a message to the woman who had become one of her closest confidants. Well, so she thought.
Dear...
I've realized I've never asked you your name, or how you would like me to address you as. Is it weird that I still thought of you as a friend? Even though I never saw your face, or know much about you in general? I guess that's not true though — I knew some things. Like that you have a husband and children, you dislike freesias, and you're more of a night owl.
Anyways, I'm sorry if I said anything that offended you. I shouldn't have confessed something so personal, and then expected you to give me advice. I wish I had the chance to apologize in person, well over camera, so we could continue our conversations. I've enjoyed them greatly, and you have been wonderful to talk with all these months. I promise not to venture into any of those topics again.
I'll be on every night during our usual time. Please, don't stay away.
~Savannah
And if the encounter with 'T' wasn't enough, the next day got worse when Miranda ordered her to tell Emily she wasn't going to Paris.
"If you don't go, I'll assume you're not serious about your future with me —" Miranda had stumbled briefly before continuing swiftly, "at Runway or any other publication." Miranda began flipping through the Book Andy had just handed her. Her posture was stiffer than usual and her cheeks tinged pink at her slip, but the brunette didn't notice, her mind already swirling with the implications of the action.
In her fragile state, Andrea almost broke down again. Her heart sank with each step she took away from the townhouse and she barely got any sleep that night. Because she knew that no matter what, she'd always choose Miranda.
