25.

"How did it go?"

Miranda looked up as Groot sat down at the table she had just shared with Christian Thompson seconds ago. She gave a wary smile and waved absent mindedly.

"You know me, Groot. I've mastered the art of masking my real emotions and the years of practice paid off again. I was as charming as ever, while all I wanted to do was grab the bastard and throw him off a tall building."

Groot nodded sympathetically. "I can understand that. He's an arrogant little shit, who's quite full of himself. The way he treated your girl makes it even worse."

"You just love repeating that don't you. My girl."

Groot grinned, pulled out a folder and handed it to Miranda. "Of course. Your girl. I'm happy for you, although your love affair is a bit costly. "

Miranda raised an eyebrow at her, while busing herself with the contents of the folder. "What do you mean?" She pulled out some papers and scanned through them, nodding in satisfaction. Everything seemed perfect, just as she wanted.

Groot leaned back in her chair and confessed.

"I owe Yvonne a hundred bucks for this. She told me almost thirty years ago that you would end up with a woman. Here I thought it was just her wishful thinking but apparently she did see your rainbow colored future."

Amused by her long time friend's confession Miranda laughed lightly. "You two…you bet on my supposed sexual orientation?"

"Don't be surprised, Priestly. You know us. We bet on everything. Your marriage with Jeremy cost me two hundred bucks. And now this…Do you want to send me to the poor house?"

Miranda shook her head and closed the folder. "Yes, you two were always a bit wild and carefree for my taste. I still don't understand how I managed to survive living in the same apartment with you."

"Oh you loved it, Miranda. And you love us. We are the sunshine of your life….well…and the twins...and now of course…your girl." Groot winked at Miranda who just shook her head again.

"Stop that, Groot. If someone hears you my reputation is ruined. According to the press I'm not supposed to love anyone. But just for the record she is indeed my girl, and this is hardly a love affair".

"You really do love her don't you?" Groot smiled.

Miranda studied Groot for a brief second and softly answered. "Yes. Yes, I do. I believe that she could be my Sarah."

A flash of pain crossed Groot's handsome features and all the previous playfulness disappeared. She sighed heavily and clasped her hands in front of her. Miranda leaned forward and placed a hand on the top Groot's folded ones.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad. I just always admired what you had with Sarah and for the first time in my life I'm so close to experiencing the same." Miranda rubbed the bride of her nose, took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I want to do this right, Groot. I don't think I have ever wanted to succeed in anything as much as I want this relationship to work. And honestly, the only inspiring example around me is your marriage with my sister."

Groot cleared her throat and nodded, smiling faintly.

"I didn't see this coming, Miranda. I suspected that you had feelings for the girl but didn't think it was that serious. Do you know that you haven't mentioned Sarah's name since she died? I understood that silence was your way to deal with her death. I understood and respected it. We all dealt with it differently. And now the fact that you not only mention her but want to achieve something that she and I had, shows me how deeply you feel for Andrea. There is just one thing that you must consider though. You can't keep things from her. You have to tell her what you did. You have to explain your motives and what drives you. Not just now but in the future as well. If you want to succeed you have to open up and communicate. Do. Not. Screw. This. Up."

Miranda looked directly into Groot's eyes and smiled reassuringly. She knew that Groot was right. In her previous relationships she always followed her own mind, and never discussed anything important with her husbands. She did what she wanted and the men either followed her lead, or were left behind. But Andrea was different. She deserved the best and Miranda intended to become the perfect partner for her.

"Thank you, Groot I appreciate your candor. And your help too. I'm planning to talk Andrea today. Actually. I'm taking her out for lunch and that would be the perfect opportunity the reveal my plans."

Groot grimaced grimly and stood. "Speaking of your plans. Christian Thompson is up for a big surprise." Gesturing toward the folder she continued. "You have everything there that you need. Now go and talk to your girl."

Miranda stood too, grabbed her bag and the folder.

"Accompany me, Groot. I would love to introduce you to Andrea. She's waiting for me at my office."

"I've already met her remember?"

Miranda breezed through Groot and without turning back she said over her shoulder.

"Yes, you met her. But not as one of my besties. And if she doesn't like what we did, then you'll be there to blame."

They entered the deserted lobby at Elias-Clark. Not many worked around this time of the year, with employees and employers alike, enjoying the holidays, preparing themselves for the New Year. They reached the elevator, not paying attention to the sleepy looking guard who jumped slightly when the couple passed by him.

"Miranda. Here you are. I was looking for you."

Miranda came to a halt reluctantly and grimaced at Groot before she turned toward the annoying owner, of the annoying voice.

"Irv. I'm busy. I don't know what you want but I'm sure it can wait."

"Actually, it's quite important, Miranda." Irv said, smiling maliciously. He patted the shoulder of his company, a tall, smartly dressed, handsome man, as he went on. "Let me introduce you to our new board member Jake Ellington III. He just arrived to the city and unfortunately he lacks an escort to our New Year's party."

Miranda tilted her head and studied the men in front of her and smiled sweetly. "That's indeed very unfortunate. Why don't you arrange something with that very discreet escort agency you usually recommend to your friends?"

Irv turned red and opened his mouth to retort when the other man smoothly stepped forward and placed a hand on Miranda's arm.

"Actually Ms. Priestly. Irv told…no promised me that you would be more than delighted to be my escort at the party. I hope you don't disappoint me."

Miranda narrowed her eyes and looked pointedly at the hand on her arm, then back at the arrogant man. He had the decency to remove his hand but his smug expression did not disappear.

"Groot. Would you mind going ahead and waiting for me in my office?" Miranda asked, the coldness in her voice matching her icy demeanor. "Please tell Andrea that I'll be there soon. This…" she waved at the men, "…won't keep me for very long."

"Sure, Miranda." Groot grinned and leaned in, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear. "Be nice. We had enough play for one day."

As soon as the elevator door closed behind Groot, Miranda turned her attention back to the men who now seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"Mr. Ellington. First of all, Irv is not in the position to offer my company to anyone. Second, I doubt that my fiancé would be thrilled if a third person joined us. My time with my soon to be wife is not up for sharing, so I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you after all."

With that she walked away not caring a bit about their reaction to her words.