Miranda accepted. Andy still couldn't believe it.
Glancing at her wrist. Andy noted the time on her watch. 11:58. Two minutes to noon. ''Your mine from now until midnight.''
Miranda mouth almost tilted upwards, with an almost smile admittedly intrigued by Andrea's mysterious destination. ''Very well. Agreed. I am yours so to speak Andrea till midnight.'' Her blue eyes lit in challenge.
Till midnight, Andy prayed her night was not going to end with Miranda running away.
Roy chauffeured them five blocks to an address Andrea gave.
Left by Roy, who was mercifully still employed, dismissed until needed. Miranda Priestly was more than allowed to take a day off.
No one questioned what Miranda Priestly could do or not do.
Took Miranda's arm joyously, she was hers from noon to midnight. ''Shall we begin.''
Andy led the way. Through gated gardens and inside down a hall of large walls of brightly coloured murals. Miranda followed intrigued, the gardens looked like a jumble of wild flowers and bright colour pots. The murals definitely were not Picasso or brilliant just bright and happy and full of life.
Miranda hadn't expected this.
Pictured other places Andrea went to, ticking off the list feeling ashamed, she'd pictured someone else's bed, scheming with Irv anything but wherever they were. Perhaps Andrea Sachs would always captivate and beguile her.
Pushing the door open, decided it was time to begin sharing this part of herself with Miranda. Raw. Vulnerable. Real and Intimate.
Sitting down. ''Hi I'm Andy and I'm an addict.'' Sitting down in an empty seat besides the other addicts talking, waiting and listening.
Sought Miranda's penetrating blue eyes, sharing her story as if Miranda was only one in this room with Andy. Peeled back and exposed.
Everyone in the NA meeting knew Andy as just Andy, Miranda noted. She was sitting down on a plastic seat, listening riveted to Andy, listening to her pouring out her story.
In any room Andrea Sachs was someone never to be overlooked. Seen that quality in her, first day they'd met. Someone leaned over she barely noticed the person asking who she was with. Miranda smiled leaning back 'I'm with Andy'.
That day had been mesmerised by the terribly dressed candidate for the coveted role of being one of her assistant's. Strange, if her facialist hadn't ruptured a disk, they'd never would have met.
Emily would have interviewed Andrea, dismissed her as not right for Runway and their paths would never have crossed. Grateful they had.
Felt even if they'd never met, would have missed Andrea. As if Miranda's life somehow would be lacking. Less.
It had been. After Paris and Andrea's departure. Shaking thoughts of Paris away, focusing on Andrea's words about her addiction. Sat and listened to her.
Afterwards outside in the gardens. Miranda softly asked. ''Why didn't you tell me?''
Andy strolled with Miranda in the community garden square, quietly answered. ''Guess I was afraid. Afraid of you.''
''Afraid of me. Why Andrea?''
''Your judgement. I'm an addict Mir who will always be recovering. I've been clean for five years as of today.'' Held her sobriety coin in her palm. Her challenge coin.
''Besides your Miranda Priestly who's perfect. Look at you, you're flawless and here I'm just Andy Sachs. Damaged. Flawed.''
Attired in Armani Collezioni Milano knit jersey belted dress and shook her head earnestly at Andrea. ''Perfect. I am hardly that Andrea and you are not damaged. Not to me. Never to me.'' Miranda understood Andrea's fears. Squeezing her hand in approval.
Touching the recovery medallion. ''This is another part of you Andrea and there are so many I so admire, brave enough to do this every day. I've never told you how kind you are even to me, despite me being an old venomous trenchant set in her ways Editor.''
Touching Andrea's heart. Clasped Miranda's hand put hers over Mir's. Gazing into grateful brown eyes.
''Hey you're not old. Mir'', Miranda smiled, she noticed that she hadn't contradicted the other part of her description.
''I volunteer here at the gardens. I painted that mural. Here let me show you what I planted when I first came to the city.''
Pointed out rose bushes she'd planted. Sterling roses and tea roses, picked one, offered it. ''For you my lady.''
Accepted. The rose pricking Andy's fingertip, from the thorns, small flecks of blood, sensually Miranda bent and kissed it.
Walking side by side, barefoot holding both their shoes, Andy squared her shoulders it was time to tell Miranda about the bribe and Irving Ravitz's offer after the Gala. Show Miranda the cheque which she had it in her pocket and tell her about Ravitz threats to her. She sat down on the bench.
''I have to tell you about Irv Ravitz…first I need to tell you why…I…The night I kissed you. ''
Hoped Miranda stayed and listened to her and would understand. Couldn't get to far barefoot in the grass. As Andy was also holding Miranda's priceless not yet available sling backs.
Right now Miranda didn't want to think about Irv Ravitz, Runway or that night at the Gala she'd hurt Andrea. Vindictively and blindly as The Dragon Lady. Was still ashamed of what she'd done.
Placed a manicured finger to Andrea's lips. ''No. Not now. Today is for us as you said when you abducted me from my work. Which I must say is a first.''
Andy grinned at Mir. ''Guess I should do that to you more often.''
''I'm sure with you they'll be many firsts. Andrea.''
''Don't ever doubt that Mir.''
Miranda did something that shocked Andy. Earlier had her phone on mute. Typed a text then pressed her phone off. Disconnected. No distractions. No Runway right now. No more being Miranda Priestly today.
The text read. ''Emily. I am taking today off. That's all. MP.''
Just her and Andrea only.
No possibility of interruptions or contacting her. Unless Emily Charlton used smoke signals.
The twins were at an equestrian camp in horse country Connecticut. Staying with a school friend in Litchfield. Miranda sat on the Costume Institute Board with Cassidy and Caroline's friend Mikaela's Mother.
Andy understood wordlessly at the clear message in blithe blue eyes. 'Sachs it's just you and me.'
Was she up for it? Absolutely. No retreating from spending twelve hours with Miranda Priestly.
Never done this in years. Been so long too long, taking a day off. Being just Miranda and not Editor in Chief.
No plans. Spontaneous. Andy with Miranda were playing tourist in NYC. Went to the Hayden Planetarium and kissed during the space show. Window shopped on Fifth Avenue. Played Andy's favourite game. 'Would I really spend that much and buy it.'
Took a photo of each other in a vintage photo booth. Bought an empty frame to put their photo in. Miranda wouldn't and couldn't be convinced in any way to go up to the top of the Empire State Building.
Shucks Mir no Sleepless in Seattle re-enactment.
''I don't like heights Andrea.''
Tugged away as they strolled this sultry afternoon hand in hand.
Miranda shook her head at a garish t-shirt on a rack outside on a sidewalk. Plebeian. Touristy. ''Hideous.''
Held up to herself. Andy teased. ''It was perfect.''
First date alone together. Have to Commemorate it.
Strolling South Street Seaport, had shown Miranda the Mariposa Butterfly Gallery where Andy bought her blue morphos gift from. Miranda did treasure it.
''Tell me what you were like young, Andrea?''
''Other than me being smaller and flatter chested. Let's see…I was pretty much like this…okay Mir, I'll only let you see this. Just this once.'' Brows furrowed serious. ''No laughing.''
Getting out of her wallet, a small photo of herself in a junior school. Andy showed it.
''Here's me a long time ago.'' Peering at it. Braces. Coltish and completely akward.
Miranda held it. Insisted on keeping it. Waved Andy's hand away, slapped lightly. Hers now.
Andy only agreed to allow Miranda to keep her claimed photo with an equal fair trade. Must see a photo of her. A real photograph of her. The real Miranda.
Fine, reaching around her neck. A locket, her mother's she'd been given at sixteen by her Savta. On the day she left her home. Never would part with it. Opened the locket.
Pressed into Andy's hand.
Looking down at it. A photo of Miranda younger. She was exquisite. So pretty.
Andy smiled smugly. Knew it. She was right Miranda was a redhead. Miranda was fiery enough. Andy's warm brown eyes brightened at the small photograph.
''Quite a Knockout.'' Andy earned a blush worthy pink tint from Miranda.
Tracing the other photo. ''I think I know these two monsters.'' Andy smiled at the photo of the twins. ''Gosh they were so small.''
Miranda softly answered. ''2 pounds, 4ounces premature Cassidy and Caroline are my miracles.'' Andy traced the intricate filigree.
''This was my mother's.''
''What was she like Miranda? Your mother.''
Miranda held Andrea's eyes sadly. ''I don't know in truth.'' Looking at her long fingers, tracing the table. ''I never knew my Mother. She died when I was born.''
Andy took her hand, stroked it. ''I'm sure she'd be honoured no proud to know her daughter's amazing and incredible, she has two wonderful granddaughters who our both everything to her just as I am sure you were to her.''
Placing the locket tenderly back around her. Settled around Miranda, Andy put it back in place with her long fingers brushing it and Miranda's collarbone.
Miranda was overcome, speechless. How old again was Andrea Sachs? Clearing her throat. Had to change the subject swiftly.
''What did Andrea Sachs little want to be?''
Andy dead seriously answered her. ''A Dragon Tamer.''
Told Miranda about studying to be ASL interpreter, practically lived in her college library and once by sheer accident, signed up to a life drawing class. It was for credits.
Andy laughed at the memory it was a great class with her hand over her eyes the whole time. Miranda roared.
Heard how red Andrea had become with models in skimpy lingerie from Nigel.
Impressed how Andrea would have gone into pro bono legal counsel. Was also accepted at Duke and Harvard not just Stanford for Law.
''Didn't want it. Wasn't for me. My Dad wasn't pleased overall my parents are great though. The best. They push and encourage me, lay off, console and spoil their free spirit child you see before you.''
Miranda had a feeling she'd like Andy's parents immediately if they met.
Watching Andrea across from her in awe.
Altruistic. Well read. Sensitive. Strong. Fantastic with her twins. Cuddly. Rose grower. Also a Twenty something year old who was making Miranda want to say out loud three words she'd never meant to her two ex-husbands.
Scared her more then she cared to admit, she'd never said 'I love you' romantically and meant it with conviction. Andrea Sachs was slowly and unexpectedly opening and placing herself in Miranda's heart. Persistently inundated by everything Sachs.
Brushing her hair behind her ear. Feeling Alessandro's gift. Those sapphire earrings that had made Andy see green. Miranda hadn't realised until last night how Alessandro made Andrea jealous, so that was why at the Fair, Sachs behaviour? Oh Andrea. Ridiculous.
Alessandro. Had to explain. Tell Andréa there was nothing between them except friendship.
''Andrea I know you do not care for Alessandro but I care about him. He's important to me. We both have a history together. He is just a friend. Only a friend.''
Andy saw it. Miranda wanted her to accept him.
''Fine. I trust you Mir.'' If Miranda cared about de La Rossi so much, must be a good guy. Try hard to staunch her irrational jealousy but only for Mir. She would force herself to like him.
Walking on the sidewalk, Miranda leaned closer into Andrea. Rain began. A summer shower. Pouring and teeming all around them.
Slickened in the rain, no umbrella.
Tossing back her head laughing, she loved the rain. Silvery hair clung to her wet dress clinging to curves, both of them soaked through.
Andy joined in Miranda's humour. Throwing her head back and enjoying the force of nature. Coming down torrentially and heavier.
Leave it only to you Sachs to take Miranda Priestly out and get her soaked from raining cats and dogs. Almost drown her. Sweeping her jacket up over their heads for them to make a run for it. Under a store awning huddled. Miranda was grinning beneath the awning, Silver hair uncharacteristically imperfect and soaking wet, her eyes laughing ''Do you do this to all your dates Andrea, make them risk developing pneumonia?''
''Do I drench all my dates, nope only you Mir.''
''Only me. I'm flattered.'' Miranda's eyes sparkled. ''I love the rain. Andrea I use to love it as a child.''
Miranda shivered at Andrea's close proximity. Could breathe in Andrea's scent of cucumber and aloe. Spying that kitschy t-shirt she'd advised against buying. Raised a brow at it in the shopping bag Andy carried.
Looked at guiltily caught. ''I did.''
''Do you ever do what your told?'' Miranda teased. Drawing circles up Andrea's arm.
''Rarely.''
Wrapped her arms around Miranda, holding her closer to her. ''Where's the fun in doing what your told but I've been known at times to oblige and concede if and only if the reward is worth it.''
Miranda quirked a smile. ''I'll have to remember that for future reference.'' Pressed to Andy.
''You're shivering Mir.''
Went to call Roy. Placing a hand on Andrea's wet arm. Stroking Andrea's arm. Up against her.
''No. I just want to enjoy this. You. Me. Being this.'' Pressing her forehead to Andrea. ''Without my world interfering. You promised me till midnight. I will hold you to that promise Andrea.''
''Okay.'' Andy held Miranda closer.
Andrea looked about the sidewalk. Might take some convincing. Stepping out in the rain. ''May I.''
Grasped Miranda to her to dance in the rain. Given a spin around and a twirl.
Blue eyes stared at Andy with wonder. Given a look if anyone was watching them think we're insane. Danced together with no music playing in a rain shower. Cradled in Andy's arms.
Impulsive. Non-conforming or conventional, wild fearless irresistible Andrea Sachs did things Miranda wouldn't dare to, rolling her blue eyes as Andy hummed off key.
''What's the most amazing thing you've ever done in NYC? '' Andy asked suddenly.
''This.'' Blue eyes held Andrea's with sincerity.
Miranda's mouth was inches from Andy's, both of them wet from rain. ''You?''
''Most assuredly with no if ands or maybes. Right here with you.''
Lips met.
Miranda led their kiss in the rain. Soft, gentle and velvety like the inside of a rose against Andy's lips. Their refection near the glass up against it complimented perfectly.
After the rain cleared, found an afternoon matinee of in Miranda's words a sappy corny classic.
Andy insisted on it being perfect for them since she was sappy and corny as well and Miranda was classic.
Leaning her head on Andy's shoulder in the dark as the movie began.
Mimsie Colville's Upper East 65th Street Townhouse
Still had hours together. Intoxicated by Andrea, this all day long date together that was ongoing was like nothing Miranda had ever experienced. Never had a date from noon to midnight to compare.
Stephen's and James's dates had been bland like oatmeal. Predictable. Not this.
Andy was trying to convince her to try 36 kisses as a challenge. Couldn't possibly be thirty six kisses to try, Miranda contradicted Andrea playfully.
Nodded coyly. ''Oh Mir there are and I think we should put our lips together and authenticate each one. This list just to be sure mind you, we don't miss or overlook one.'' Andy showed a checklist was more than happy to try thirty six or a thousand kisses with her Editor.
Miranda smiled at the lined list. Reading a few ice kiss, slow motion kiss. ''I suppose we could no definitely we should commit ourselves to validating this claim.''
Andy grinned at Miranda. ''Exactly it has be done.''
''Just a hardship we'll have to do with one another.'' Andy said this resigned.
Miranda's blue eyes held hers as they entered the door opening together, whispered against Andrea's earlobe. ''Andrea, make love to me tonight.''
Seductively said just asked like that. Out of the blue. How was she supposed to cook tonight at class or even concentrate for that matter when Miranda's words wrung in her head like a siren.
''Andrea. Make love to me tonight.''
Breathe Sachs. Gasp that O2 into your lungs that Miranda's words sucked out of Andy. Andy heard what Miranda said. Her request to her. Of her.
Tonight. Them. Together, In Bed.
Not scandalised. Just floored a bit.
Miranda had lived in France where it was no doubt de rigueur to have multiple lovers falling into your bed. Probably had been bedded by a slew of continental lovers who made foreplay and sex hotter. The accent alone.
Andy was at an disadvantage, no accent and from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Was going to be an abject failure in the attempt to fall into bed with La Priestly.
Miranda was sophisticated and worldly probably knew the Kama Sutra, Pillow Book and Perfume Garden by heart.
Holding onto Heaven help you Sachs.
Maybe she could download an app of a how to guide.
Yup just hold on a sec Mir, I'm thumbing through Lesbian Sex: 101 Lovemaking Positions on my Kindle. Smooth Sachs.
Geez Sachs you got a 4.4GPA for what exactly? Wouldn't exactly be using that body part with Miranda tonight. Andy's mind.
Cripes Sachs what if you're so terrible at it and at the attempt at sleeping with Miranda? You both never do it again. Because it was that bad.
Experience dreaded LBD before the peak of their relationship begins.
Andy had only had one partner. Her ex she'd came to Manhattan with, which felt like years ago not months. He was made of the wrong chromosomes. XY.
Andy Sachs had hit a dry spell in the bedroom for month's now. Even when she lived with Nate.
Weren't exactly wild. Pretty rudimentary. When they did it. Kind of like ordering a pizza to be delivered and eating it in your pyjamas. Casual. No expectations. Wear whatever. If it was bad aww well.
Maybe better next time.
When she was exhausted from Runway had had to pencil it in on the calendar as a reminder. ''Have Sex with Nate'' did not evoke desire.
Andy knew it shouldn't be like that.
In between days of running all over the city with errands and nights of delivering Miranda 'The Book' and dry cleaning and rushing a few blocks to make the subway.
Nate was lucky she was conscious.
Once a week became one time a month if that. They hadn't slept together since that night he'd made her realise what she felt for her Boss.
Nate's words had stung like a slap. Couldn't believe the words Andy heard Nate spoke out loud. To her.
''Andy! You know, in case you were wondering, the person whose calls you always take? That's the relationship you're in. I hope you two are very happy together.''
Nate had inadvertently made Andy see something she'd been avoiding. Without any doubt or any more denial, how she was 150% completely devotedly in love with one unobtainable Miranda Priestly.
It was there. Simmering below the surface. An attraction.
Every day arriving at work began to anticipate Miranda. Watch her. Begrudgingly enjoy her presence. It was a slow burn of frisson. Even if Miranda Priestly's acerbic ways made Andy want to fork her own eyes out in exasperation.
Had wondered if Cupid could have only been a tad kinder to Andy Sachs and her hearts affection.
Of all the people to love in a city of 8.337 million. Sachs really picked one hell of a choice.
Her Boss, then didn't even acknowledge Andy beyond being just a pair of hands delivering coffee or dry cleaning. Not even a thank you. Might as well be the office gopher or invisible.
Slept restlessly on Nate and hers thrift sofa that night. By morning, Andy Sachs knew it was love.
She was in love with the most feared person in fashion. Who was vicious, mean and the last person Andy's heart expected? Besides Miranda was married to Stephen. Not happily though by the argument she'd awkwardly walked in on.
That didn't mean Miranda was Sapphic inclined. They'd never even touched. But their eyes when they met. Oh boy. Andy read those blue eyes and sometimes saw something in them.
Something she couldn't decipher fully. Something Andy ached for. Something about Miranda made it hard for breathing nearby. The sparks her Grandfather had said to look for, the sparks only your twin flame woke.
Your soul mate.
That something being, falling in head over heels in love more like knocks her off her feet.
What was she going to do? In a nutshell. Nothing.
Then Paris was offered. That night in Miranda's suite had felt intimate. Wanted to comfort Miranda, shed away her iciness and be there to listen. Andy just didn't quite know how to go about it. Like standing at an impasse. Dare to step forward or step back. So yearned to step forward.
Offered to help Miranda, offered in her eyes to do anything for her. Meant it.
Reminded her lowly place, Andy was told to do her job and just there to fetch. That had hurt at the time alot. Andy Sachs was just well a Miranda girl. Christian Thompson's snide moniker still stung.
It wasn't like Andy expected Miranda to be suddenly in love with her to.
Right in what world Sachs would that ever happen? Only in rom coms written that way. But she had believed that there was something there, something tentatively unspoken and fragile between them. It was there. Knew it. Felt it. The spark.
Heck even warning Miranda of Irv's coup was taken with a look of distain.
Why had she bothered? That exasperating woman could walk through a minefield and not bat an eye. Andy knew damn well why she'd bothered. Because Miranda not just the Editor of Runway mattered to her.
Than Miranda backstabbed Nigel to save her own skin.
Realising what was done to Nigel would inevitably happen to her if she stayed by Miranda's side. Miranda Priestly would only ever see her as a disposable. Just her assistant. That's all. A position filled later by anybody. Probably a new assistant would be called Andrea.
Sure as hell wasn't going to be humiliated by being held with derision in blue eyes by telling Miranda her feelings. Her feelings that had developed deeply for the Runway Editor.
Right then and there. Exited the car. Murmuring quietly to Miranda's turned back, not heard. ''Goodbye Miranda.''
Andy decided it was time to leave. Walked away. Released herself. Slipped into faded Levis and checked out. Called her parents in tears telling them 'I quit as of twenty minutes ago.'
Used their credit card, Andy flew home to an empty cleared out Apt. with a note from Nate. Two words written to her. Simply told her. 'Goodbye Andy'. That and six month's arrears of unpaid rent as his parting gift.
After all their time together.
Andy's Mom told her reassuringly on the phone that week, thinking she was upset about Nate leaving. ''Both of you perhaps need a little time apart. Be without each other for a while. It's good to miss each other Andy.''
Worried, had sent Andy a care package by overnight courier to cheer her up.
Groaned Mom you do not send $500 in a hallmark card with a sunshine on it and a teddy bear as a get over a break up card. It's illegal. Money by post.
Who does that only her Mom?
Bombarded with the usual questions was she eating as if she couldn't feed herself properly because Nate cooked? As if the nearest grocery store or organic market was miles away through a war zone.
Just because Nate left, she wasn't going to become reclusive Miss Havisham with 50 cats as company.
Heard it in Andy's voice there was something else. Someone else. Refused to elaborate more to her Mother.
''Oh Andy baby is that why Nate left?''
Only said. ''Yes but that person isn't…we're not involved…never were. Mom I'm fine. I gotta go.''
''Wait at least tell me their name.''
''Miranda.''
''Miranda as in Miranda, Miranda Priestly your Boss at Runway.''
''Same one.''
No she had unrequited love to deal with. Alone. Love stinks and sucks and was a bitch.
Hung up after turning down an invite home for Thanksgiving which was parent code. Come home Andy, for a month then stay for good. The unsaid we need to talk. Nope definitely not about this.
Curled up in her lonely bed in an empty apartment, had made a mess of everything. Couldn't wake up had really walked away from Miranda Priestly.
During Paris Fashion Week. Unforgivable. Andy Sachs you complete idiot.
Wasn't like Miranda went after her. Why would she?
In Miranda's world Andy held no meaning. Insignificant. Just Miranda girl. Left on the side lines.
Andy half-heartedly hoped maybe be called by a frazzled new second assistant over how hot should Miranda's coffee be or for passwords. That never happened.
Hoped Miranda never found her list she'd made about her. Positive she'd deleted it.
Slumped sitting on her windowsill, little doubt anything of Andy's left in her desk would be binned long before Miranda Priestly ever set foot back at Runway.
Miserably hung up on her former boss.
Maybe their paths would cross again. Andy snorted through tears that was as likely as kissing Miranda Priestly's lips or being called Andy by her.
Andy had learned how to miss Miranda. For months.
Yet hers and Miranda's paths had crossed. Wow what a crashing into each other it had been for Andy Sachs. Tasted her lips. Never wanted to unkiss her.
Glancing presently at Miranda next to her.
Tonight they were going to be more than friends would become lovers in a few hours.
'' Andrea.'' Miranda's eyes sparkled naughtily. ''Your answer. Will you?''
Still tongue tied over Miranda's sexy words. Found her voice, sputtering. ''Oh…I…you…we…sure…I mean yes.''
Miranda's hand grazed then cupped Andrea's cheekbone, her eyes illuminated with flirty mirth. Made Andrea blushing and speechless. It was adorable.
Smiling in greeting to Mimsie Colville in gingham apron and smiles from dimple to dimple, Mimsie turned with someone that made Andy's heart stop.
''Nate.''
Nate was just as shocked. ''Andy.''
Holy Moly!