Begin Again

The next weekend, Miranda Bailey was actually happy that her surgery was running long. At this rate, she wouldn't make it out of the hospital and back home in time to get ready for the speed dating event. The patient must have sensed her glee because their heart immediately began beating on its own allowing her to finish what she was doing. An hour later, she was walking into her house. Val greeted her at the door. "You gotta hurry or we'll be late."

Miranda looked around. "Where's Danielle?"

"She's pouring us shots of liquid courage." Miranda rolled her eyes and headed for her second-floor bedroom. She was so tired, but she'd promised her sisters that she wouldn't complain, so she took a quick shower acting out an imaginary argument with them before she getting dressed. The last time, she'd worn a dress. This time she pulled out a pair of hip-hugging blue jeans and a purple shirt that was practically a turtleneck. "You are not wearing that," Val told her coming into her room.

"Why not?"

"You're not showing anything and you have some good stuff in there." Miranda laughed as her sister rummaged in her dresser and closet. "Found it!"

When Val held up a black shirt, Miranda shook her head. "Nope, that shirt says something that I don't want it to say on a first date."

"Like what?"

"Like… meet me in the bathroom in ten minutes."

"Well, since you never told us what you're looking for, that could be what you need it to say."

Miranda twisted her lips to the side. "I've seen the other side of the spectrum, so I'm just looking for a good man."

Val put her arm around her older sister's shoulders. "And even a good man wants to see your breasteses," she smiled. "Now, come on." She bounded from the room.

Sighing, Miranda took off one shirt and put on the other. Just looking at herself in the mirror made her moan. She'd have to change her bra to bring the entire look together. Another glance had her eyebrow raising. Her curls were doing exactly as they were told, her makeup looked good and the shirt and jean combo made her look very "come hither". There haven't been many instances recently to get dolled up, but when she did—damn! "Miranda!" Dani yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm coming, damn it!" She shouted back putting on a red lipstick called "Fire, Fire". She could hear her sisters laughing as she went downstairs.

Dani let out a low whistle. "Shit, girl. Yass!" She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a sequined short-sleeved top that made her brown skin look even more gorgeous than usual.

"See, Valerie, I'm getting catcalled already," Miranda said pulling on her jacket.

"Because you look hot!" Val answered. She had on a nice, green dress that showed off her very best assets.

"We're going to break hearts tonight," Dani said grabbing her younger sisters by the arms into a quick photo. "Say, 'sex' on three! One, two, smile, Mandy. Three!"

They arrived at the event just in time and Miranda felt herself getting tense. She'd shown up last time with no expectations, but now she was wondering if she'd meet him tonight. The guy that could possibly come into her life and shake things up for the better. Val turned to them. "Ready?"

"Ready," Miranda and Dani replied.

"And no one has to fall in love, this is just fun," Dani said as they walked into the lounge.

"Fun… right," Miranda mumbled.

"And we said no complaining," the older Bailey reminded her.

Val groaned. "Right! Now get into the motherf—"

"Valerie!" Dani warned.

"Motherfreeing spirit or else," Val finished.

Miranda bent over with laughter, bumping into someone. Through her gasps, she tried apologizing. "What's that?" The guy asked, smiling.

"I think she's trying to say sorry," Val explained. "Hi, I'm Valerie. These are my sisters, Danielle and Miranda." Miranda had finally calmed down enough to take in the stranger. He was a good seven or eight inches taller than she was; and even with the terrible lighting of the lounge, she could see that he was attractive. He actually kind of looked familiar. Trying not to stare while she placed him, Miranda looked away briefly.

He waved at them. "Hello, ladies. I'm Ben."

"Hi," Dani said wiggling her fingers.

"Are y'all here for speed dating?" He asked looking right at Miranda. She nodded and started to respond.

"We are," Dani answered quickly. "Though you and I could skip this entire thing and go out right now if you're into that sort of thing."

The man laughed. "Oh okay. Uh, unfortunately, I'm not, but thanks for the offer." Dani nodded as Miranda pursed her lips. Clearly, her older sister wanted this guy. And even though he was looking at Miranda, one thing they all agreed to never do was fight over a man. He nodded slowly and glanced around their makeshift circle with his eyes landing on the middle Bailey sister. "Well, hopefully, I'll get to date one of you beautiful ladies tonight."

Val and Dani giggled, batting their lashes. "Maybe," Miranda responded walking away and dragging her sisters with her.

"You two are so damn embarrassing," Miranda told them as they got drinks. She sipped on her Long Island Iced Tea as she waited for her sisters to get their drinks. The man from earlier walked by and the two of them made eye contact forcing her cheeks to turn red and stomach churned slowly.

"He is so fine," Val said. "Right, Mandy?"

"Too fine," Dani added before Miranda could respond. "I call dibs."

Feeling her body pulse with anger, Miranda rolled her neck. "You cannot call dibs on a whole person," she reminded her older sister.

"My word, Miranda Bailey, are you interested in the young man as well?" Dani asked putting a hand on her hips.

Miranda took another sip of her drink. "No, I... I'm not. I was just saying." Her sisters grinned at one another. "I know those looks. So, before either of you start—don't."

The three Bailey women laughed. "Well, let us all soothe our loins and just say he's off-limits," Dani suggested.

"That makes no sense," Val countered. "What if he likes one of us?" She made eye contact with Miranda and winked.

Dani stuck her straw into Val's drink. "Let's see, you're not having sex and Mandy won't, so that leaves me."

"That was unnecessary," Miranda told her.

Dani shrugged as Val said: "Well, we can't all be little trollops like you."

The three of them fell out laughing. "Honestly, I don't really care," Miranda told them handing her drink to Dani. "Just let me know what you two decide, I'm going to the bathroom."