Chapter Eleven "It's On"
Monday mornings were usually difficult. After having Andrea all to herself, Fen often acted out until she saw the daycare then her mother was forgotten. Carrying Fen on her hip, Andrea strode across the Elias-Clarke lobby, shielding her daughter from the self-absorbed who failed to see her carrying a toddler. Fen, however, had a blast. Once she heard Andrea call out, "Hey, watch it." Now, whenever they were in a crowd, Fen shouted it out even when no one was near. A better mother would have corrected her child, but it made Andrea laugh every time.
"She's a New Yorker through and through."
"M!" Fen tried to hurl herself out of her mother's arms when she saw Miranda.
The split second when Miranda hesitated, Andrea understood. As she tried to think of a way out of the situation, Miranda pushed back her sunglasses then took her daughter.
"You don't have..."
"I know." Miranda said, gazing at Fen with hearts in her eyes. "Fen, how was your weekend?"
Something inside of Andrea melted at the realization Miranda chose Fen over slipping into her Le Priestly persona. While the two talked about what they did since the last time they saw one another, Andrea slipped on her sunglasses and provided an impenetrable barrier between them and the outside world.
As the elevator doors opened on the tenth floor, Andrea turned around to take Fen but Miranda lowered her sunglasses into place and walked through the sudden opening in the crowded elevator car. Andrea calmly fell into step behind them, like they were a...family. Jolted by her thoughts, she didn't realize Miranda had taken Fen through the daycare doors.
"Now, I have to work and you have to learn." Miranda said, lightly grazing Fen's cheek with her thumb as she cupped her face. "I want you to tell me everything you learned, alright?"
Fen nodded. kissed Miranda then said, "Lubbie you, M."
Andrea's heart lurched, smacking up against her ribcage because Fen never said that to anyone but her.
"Well, I...lubbie you, too, my wee Fen."
"Mummers, kisses to you. Gonna learn now." Fen called out then wiggled out of Miranda's grasp and headed toward the waiting childcare worker.
"I hope you're not taking her abrupt departure personally." Miranda whispered and gently squeezed Andrea's shoulder. "I'm sorry I kept her..."
"No." Andrea cut her off, unable to look Miranda in the eyes for fear of revealing something she definitely was not ready to reveal. "She just told you she loves you, using the phrase she's only uses with me." To keep Miranda from interrupting, Andrea held up her hand. "No, it's fine, I swear." The next part was a littler harder. Straightening her shoulders, Andrea looked directly into those dark blue eyes. "She chose you. Don't disappoint her."
"I won't."
Andrea stared, lost in a sea of blue, the sensation of gentle waves lapping at her skin added to the illusion. About to be pulled under, she closed in, breaths faint and slow.
Jesus christ, she was about to kiss Miranda Priestly.
Miranda turned her head and took a step back.
Parents were dropping off their offspring as Miranda and Andrea stood, close enough to touch. The world swirled around them. Andrea gritted her teeth.
"We need to talk, Miranda."
"We do."
"The sooner the better."
"Friday..."
"No." Andrea stepped farther away. "The night before I leave for a week. No." Crossing her arms, she muttered to the floor, "This is crazy. We should...we should really take a step back..."
"I agree."
"Because I have never wanted to kiss someone as much as I want to kiss you right now."
Miranda seemed to waver, her dark blue eyes fixed on Andrea's mouth. Her gaze flicked up and Andrea stopped breathing.
The predatory and promising smile on Miranda's mouth taunted Andrea long after Miranda slowly walked away.
Andrea avoided Miranda like the plague although it wasn't hard given that Miranda was out of the office for most of the day. She popped in on Fen just before nap time, gave her a kiss, then rushed downstairs to get something to eat at the deli Nigel had taken her to when she first started.
When she returned to Runway, she placed a white paper bag on Nigel's desk, shrugged off her coat then attended a meeting held by Beauty and Living which Serena had requested she attend. Andrea looked at the layout for a new eye shadow versus another hack for a stay at home parent.
"Is this all?" she asked. When she received nods from the creators of each pitch, she said, "Bring two more options because these are recycled ideas any high school kid could come up with. Where's your passion? Your creativity? Do you not love fashion?"
Some people averted their eyes when she looked at them. Others blankly stared back. Only two grew excited.
"You two." She pointed to a slight Mexican American man with promenade hair and a rather stout older woman with severe bangs that really worked for her. "What are your names?"
"Renita."
"Alvin."
"Pitch Serena your ideas." She looked at Serena. "You can decide the deadline."
Serena smirked then took over the rest of the meeting.
A few minutes later Andrea looked at her watch and stifled a gasp. She tried to be inconspicuous as she left but several pairs of eyes locked on her. Serena, bless her, started asking questions and Andrea escaped. She rushed across the bullpen, up the stairs then to Nigel's office.
"Why are you in such a frenzy?" he asked without looking up as he perused a mock up for an advertiser.
"I need my laptop to Skype with a lawyer."
Nigel calmly gathered his things and said, "How long do you think you'll be?"
"What? No, I booked a conference room. I just need..." Andrea withdrew the Mac from the file cabinet. "Thanks."
Without looking back, Andrea bolted out of the office and went down the short hallway to a small conference room. She booted up the computer and made the call a few minutes later than agreed.
Naomi Lutheran wasn't what Andrea expected. The woman didn't look like a lawyer. Maybe Andrea harbored some preconceived notions, but, still, Naomi was gorgeous, pleasantly professional, and straightforward.
"Do you need a moment, Mrs. Cooper?"
Andrea jerked back to the screen, frowning. "No, and I didn't take his name. Neither did our daughter."
"Fenimore Lisette Sachs. Oh, she just turned four."
"You didn't know I kept my maiden name but you know my child's name and birthday?"
Naomi smiled, smoothly explaining, "Honestly, I hadn't time to look through all the preliminary data gathered by one of the paralegals. As soon as you agreed to representation, he got to work."
"It's good to know you have an excellent poker face, Naomi."
The lawyer closed the manilla folder and took off her thick glasses. "It's my job. Are you sure Nate won't be seeking spousal support? You said he cheated on you with your best friend for eight months then got her pregnant. He just got a job in Boston so he isn't established in his career. I'll need the names and timelines of any other women your husband may have had affairs with during your marriage but I'm not going to lie, Andrea. New York state judges are indifferent to infidelity as grounds for a divorce. It will go much faster if we claim irretrievable breakdown as a legal ground for divorce."
"As long as I have full custody of Fen, I'll leave the strategy to you."
Naomi nodded, slipped her glasses back on then flipped over a page from the legal pad. Picking up her pen, she said, "You said he agreed to that, no spousal and no child care support, correct?"
She looked up from her writing and Andrea nodded.
"Can he afford an attorney?"
"The ex-best friend owns an art gallery in Boston and makes pretty decent money but I don't know what her debt-to-income ratio is. Now that she's probably pregnant, I don't know if that's going to make things harder or not."
"They'll be motivated to see the divorce through whether they can afford it or not. Things can get nasty, Andrea, but, if you let me negotiate the terms, I promise you'll have everything you stipulated."
"I'm not easily intimidated, Naomi. I promise I won't let him get to me."
She nodded, then wrote something down and said, "I suggest splitting the savings and checking accounts now. Do you have an investment portfolio?"
"Yes."
"I'm going to need copies of financials dating back to when you got married. Do you carry him on your medical insurance? Life insurance?"
"You'll need copies of the policies." Andrea said, scribbling down her own notes.
Thirty minutes later and Andrea's head swam with all the information they went over. She had a sizable list of things to do and gave herself very little time to do them. It wasn't exactly time consuming to gather data, most of which was at the tip of her fingers. Well, nothing was going to get accomplished with her spacing out.
When Andrea gathered her things, there was a knock at the door.
"I'm all done." she called out, thinking someone had booked the room.
"Do you have a minute?"
Andrea almost dropped her laptop. Miranda stood in the doorway looking at her with cool detachment.
"Yeah, okay. Do you want to go..."
"Here is fine." she said, stepped in then shut the door behind her.
Andrea's entire body tingled. The room felt smaller. She took a seat on the other side of the table.
Miranda remained standing, one hand around her waist and the other holding a pair of folded glasses underneath her chin.
"I find you...pleasant to look at." Miranda offered as she leaned against the closed door.
Andrea crossed her legs tightly together. "Oh, uh, thanks. And I, you. I mean, you're..." Abruptly she stood. "too far away, Miranda."
"Be careful, little cub." she murmured. "I suggest, beginning right now, we stay as far apart as possible."
Andrea stepped slowly around the table, her fingers trailing across its top.
"Andrea." she warned, but the lowering of her arms was like an invitation.
"And I find you very distracting." Andrea stopped just shy of Miranda's personal space. "You're like this warmth just under my skin and then I see you...and I feel hotter."
Miranda's eyes lowered. "That Lagerfeld blouse fits just right across your chest."
"You don't think it's too...tight?" Andrea placed her palm down on the tabletop and leaned her hip against it.
"No, I do not."
By keeping Miranda's attention elsewhere, Andrea managed to move a little closer, but, it didn't last long much to her frustration.
Miranda moved to the side and opened the door.
"And Friday night?" Andrea boldly asked. "When I win."
Watching Miranda pull the door closed again, Andrea took the few remaining steps and stood exactly behind her. Miranda, still not turning around, held the doorknob, then braced a hand against the door when Andrea gently pressed against her.
A light, short moan escaped Miranda's mouth and Andrea started to shake.
"I want to hear that sound again." she whispered in Miranda's ear, moving her pointed breasts teasingly across the silk shirt Miranda wore as she held onto Miranda's waist.
The shift was miniscule but enough to rob Andrea of breath. Arching her lower back, Miranda pushed her ass into Andrea's pelvic area.
"If you don't leave right now, Miranda..." Andrea moved her hands down the sides of Miranda's thighs as she lightly kissed her neck. "I swear to you..."
Andrea was unceremoniously pushed back and Miranda was out of the room, leaving Andrea dazed and aching. Resting her forehead on the closed door, she tried to calm herself but all she wanted to do was jump off the damn cliff. On the verge of hyperventilating, she sat down on a nearby chair. Nothing in her past had prepared her for Miranda Priestly. At Vogue, she'd met her share of powerful people, dressed to impress, exuding charm and wit. Yet, this forty-something woman, twice-divorced, with twin daughters lit Andrea's fuse. Of all the people in the world, Miranda did it for her.
Andrea knew she was a bit of a power junky while attending college. She gravitated toward people who wielded it, never partaking, ever tempted. Then she saw Miranda in person at a function. Reading about her or seeing pictures of her in no way prepared someone for the living reality. As Andrea looked back, she saw the moment when she got hooked without a single hit. The dream of working for Runway had been true but the onerous climb up the ladder hadn't been solely for a career at the best fashion magazine.
By the time she exited the conference room, Andrea was back in charge of herself. Thankfully Miranda was nowhere around but she ran into Nigel who thanked her for the sandwich.
"Not a problem. I checked your calendar. You didn't schedule a second for lunch."
Nigel palmed his bald head. "Between the little good-bye-congratulation soirees and tying up loose ends before Paris Couture...and let's not mention the moving, I may simply faint, preferably in front of a yummy bear of a man."
Andrea tapped her lips then said, "I had you pegged for the company of an otter."
Nigel laughed. "Some days that's true." He leaned closer to her and whispered, "Never limit yourself."
"I'll remember that."
Just as they were about to part, a frazzled, poorly dressed girl ran into Andrea. Clothing articles plumed in the air as the girl foraged the floor for the other items she had been carrying.
It took a second for Andrea to realize the girl was sobbing. She had nearly dropped her computer in the skirmish and wasn't inclined to clean up the girl's mess.
"Well, I'll leave you to..." Nigel said, twirling his fingers in the air. "I've got to run."
Naturally, the girl was Miranda's second assistant. With her free hand, Andrea picked up a few business button-ups by the clothes hanger hook.
"I-I-I can't do anything right." she mumbled, close to a full blown breakdown.
"Get it together." Andrea cautioned, not unkindly. "Where are you going with these?"
"Miranda needs them."
"Okay, just breathe. Why are you panicking over a few work shirts?"
The girl wiped away the last of her tears but her nose and eyes were an unbecoming shade of red. "Someone ran into her and..." The girl looked over her shoulder, then turned back and whispered, "...spilled coffee on her."
"I see. Here, take my laptop back to Nigel's office, put it in the file cabinet then take a few minutes to...collect yourself."
"But what about..."
"Oh, I'll take care of it. Don't you worry."
She really didn't have the time to spare but, god damn, the opportunity was just too tempting. Her inner little cub couldn't resist.
When Andrea strolled between the assistant desks, Vanessa quickly stood with her hand out.
"I'll take that. Where did..."
"I've got it." Andrea cut her off and walked into the office, shutting the door behind her.
"Did you get lost on your way to the closet? Perhaps smacked your little head and lost what little..."
Andrea leaned against the bathroom's doorjamb, extending her hand as three shirts dangled from the hooks over her finger.
Miranda's eyes darkened. Without breaking eye contact, she undid a button of her ruined top.
Immediately Andrea placed the shirts on the doorknob, stepped into Miranda's personal space and brushed her hands away from the shirtfront.
"Allow me." she whispered.
Miranda's smile was slow and closed lipped. "By all means."
Redirecting her gaze to the task at hand, Andrea was grateful to find her hands were steady. She took her time. The valley between Miranda's breasts disappeared under the white lace of a bra. Andrea was fascinated by the delicate pink and green threads along the trim. She skimmed the edge with a fingertip which veered off from the material once Andrea realized how warm and soft Miranda's skin happened to be. Andrea plucked another button undone, revealing the crest of Miranda's ribcage.
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
Fighting the urge to rip the shirt apart, Andrea closed her eyes. Her knuckles briefly caressed Miranda's skin as she undid another button.
"Oh, god, yes." she managed to answer, shaking as she opened her eyes.
Miranda leaned in and Andrea felt weak and on edge. At the last second, Miranda diverted as she plucked a shirt hanging off the doorknob. Her scantily clad breasts slid lightly across Andrea's arm.
"I am, too." Miranda whispered, her lips ghosting along Andrea's jaw as she pulled away. "Be a dear and hold this while I take my shirt off."
Dumbly she did as told, all the while staring at stiffened nipples under lacy silk. It was a show, meant to bewitch, to render the voyeur helpless. Miranda's slender fingers curled around the flaps of her shirt and pulled it back, off the sculpted shoulders. Andrea wanted to die right then and there, the moment was so perfect.
Once Miranda donned the shirt, Andrea's gaze climbed until she was caught by glittering blue.
"You're not doing a very good job of keeping your distance."
Andrea glowered.
As she tucked in her shirt, Miranda laughed.
Without realizing it, Andrea grabbed Miranda's wrist and tugged her close which abruptly ended Miranda's mirth.
"Is this a game for you?"
Miranda gently pulled out of Andrea's grasp. "No. The truth is...I'm very attracted to you which you should realize, Andrea. I've allowed you undress me at work, for god's sake."
Andrea couldn't prevent the smile from forming on her mouth.
"Your life is upended and you're vulnerable and I'm your boss. We have children that will be hurt by this, Andrea, if...if it ever gets out. And let's not forget our careers and the reality of sexual harassment charges. So, really, who's the one playing a game?"
Head spinning, she wasn't capable of answering which was evidently an admission of guilt by Le Priestly standards.
"Get out."
She didn't let the door hit her in the ass. Andrea burst out of the office and, ironically enough, almost knocked over the second assistant. After the near disaster, she slowed her steps but there was little she could do about the pounding heart in her chest. Miranda's takedown, while painful, gave Andrea a pretty insightful look into the woman's thoughts. Before she could understand the totality of it, however, Andrea needed to calm her emotions.
She hid in the office until it was time to pick up Fen.