You're My Number One

Ben spun the chair, straddling it and leaning against its back. "Ready to tell me what you know?" He asked while she was still shocked at his presence.

"I'll let you know," she repeated, putting her hands beneath her chin. She caught him looking at her card and tried to cover it. "Did you, uh, hand in your card already?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Just because," he said quickly. "But did I read yours correctly? Am I not on your list at all?" Miranda's cheeks blazed and she almost put her glass against her skin to soothe them. "Wow, okay."

Was the hurt she heard in his voice fake or was he really disappointed? Feeling bad, she started to write his name on the card, but he held out his hand. She cocked her head to the side. "What?"

"Your card, please, ma'am."

"For what?"

"I want to see my competition."

Miranda shook her head. "No. Absolutely not."

"Oh, hey," he said turning to his right, waving. Being nosy, she whipped around, but she quickly realized she'd been tricked. "Gotcha." Ben picked up her paper as she reached for it too late.

"Damn, woman, you did me like that?" He asked. "I'm flummoxed." He smirked and dug his hand into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

"Oh, no, I don't want to see yours," she told him honestly. No way did she want to see the women he'd found attractive. And if either of her sisters were on that list, she'd be sick.

He pushed it across the table. "Just look at it. Please."

A deep sigh left her. Miranda took it and unfolded it calmly although she was flipping out internally. The sheet was blank except for one name that was written at the top in the number one spot—hers. Damn, he was smooth.A grin flashed across her lips and disappeared just as quickly as she asked: "W-where are the other names, Ben?"

"There are no other names."

Panic set in. She could not remember the last time a man had made her insides flail. "You had twenty-plus dates, surely there were women you found riveting enough to want to have a second conversation with, maybe dinner." Did she hear herself? Why was she encouraging him to potentially entertain other women? Folding the paper, she pushed it into her pocket before drumming her fingers on the table. He grabbed for her hand again. It was quickly becoming one of her favorite things.

"What do I look like putting anyone but my wife's name on my list?" He wiggled his brows and she wondered how they'd only just met, and yet he seemed so familiar. Miranda's guard was completely down around him and she hated it. She prided herself on being tough, but how could she be that way when just looking into his eyes had her smiling foolishly. "Now about your list…"

She rolled her eyes and took it back, writing his name beneath Cam, a local poet. "There. Happy?"

"A brother can't even get drafted first?"

"You're asking for a lot." There were a few other people still chatting and filling out their cards around them in the quiet as the staffers gathered the chairs and tables about and others roamed around waiting for it to transform into a nightclub once again. "And you think rather highly of yourself."

A smile spread across his lips. "I do. And I think you do as well. Which is why you need to make me number one."

"But I already have your number," Miranda said flipping her tresses.

"Good point, but just in case." It was her turn to smile. He clicked his pen theatrically and proceeded to cross off every name except his, giving inane, but hilarious reasons along the way.

"Matthew… creep." Scratch. "Allan is weird. Donald… no." Scratch. Scratch. "Marcel?" Her heart thumped loudly. "He made it and I didn't?" Miranda's lips flapped trying to answer. "You like him better than me?" He asked, dropping his jaw.

"No, no, I was trying to be nice."

"Now you don't have to worry about it." Scratch.

She laughed, covering her mouth to muffle the sound. "Crazy."

He kept going up the list. "Eli? Hmmph." Her palm got sweaty as the pen hovered over the other man's name. "I don't like him."

"You don't even know him."

"Still… There's something about him. I'm not a fan."

Miranda rolled her eyes and sighed. "Is it because he's at the top?"

Ben kept his head down, but she could see him grinning. "Not anymore he's not."

"As my husband, aren't you supposed to make sure that I'm happy? What if one of these men can do that?"

Finally looking up, his eyes locked with hers and she inhaled at the intensity. "But could they do it better than me?" He asked. The question sparked her heart reminding her to breathe. But neither words nor or words would come out. "Exactly." Scratch. "Ben Warren," he said putting his name at the top, writing hard so it stood out.

She hit his wrist gently. "You're ridiculous. Do you know that?"

"I try." A smile appeared on his lips as he looked at her defiled card. "That's better."

"'Better'? It's a mess." He shrugged without concern. "Are you satisfied with yourself, Benjamin Warren?"

He was just about to respond surely with something smart, but his phone rang. Miranda tried not to listen to the conversation, so she watched his face instead. "Warren here." He asked the caller to hold on and excused himself. "Don't leave just yet, okay? Please."

Before she could answer, he was gone. The music volume rose as she glanced around finally noticing that she was the only one still sitting and working on her card which was a disaster. She giggled to herself at all of the crossed-out names. If she handed this card in like this, she was possibly throwing away some great prospects. Although, until Dani and Val made her go speed dating, she hadn't even been thinking about men, for romance or for any other reason. They didn't like being alone, but she actually didn't care. She knew there were great men out there, but she hadn't been even slightly interested until... Her musings were cut short as Val pranced over. "Hi, hi!"

"H-hey!" Thinking she was inconspicuous, Miranda tried slipping the paper off of the table.

Val seized it. "Hmm, well, uh, this is quite fascinating."

"I know."

Someone came up to them. "Excuse me, ladies, we need this table."

"Sorry," the Bailey sisters said, sliding back from it.

"It's okay." The table was hoisted and quickly taken away. "Thanks."

"Um, so why are all of the names crossed off?"

"J-uh, someone did it as a joke."

"Someone like…?" Against her will, her cheeks filled with heat. Val caught the smile in her eyes. "Miranda Bailey, are you blushing?"

"No," she said lying terribly.

There wasn't a Bailey alive who didn't know when she wasn't telling the truth. "You are!" Val whisper-shouted.

"Shh!" She said waving her hands, silencing her sister, even though the music was blasting now and no one could hear them.

"Did Ben do this?" If Miranda didn't answer, Val would come to her own conclusions. If she did answer, she'd probably end up spilling her guts. She pointed to his name at the top. "He did! So, the firefighter wants you all to himself, huh?" Miranda waved her sister off. "He does! He does! He wants to get all up in that." Val reached for her boob and the two of them giggled the way they used to do when they were in school. "Are you going to turn it in like this? Or at all?"

"I don't know." She honestly didn't know what to do. Ben being her ace in the hole was nice, but she didn't want to limit herself, did she? "Anyway, um, did you hand in yours?"

Her sister shook her head, her locs jostling. "Not yet. I wanted to check on you before I did."

"I'm the older sister. I'm supposed to be doing the checking," Miranda said with a smile.

"Well, older sister, do you want to stay here or…?" Her eyes flittered nervously.

"What did the other one say?" She asked.

"Who?" Val lips curled knowingly. "I haven't seen her." She studied the younger Bailey's face, waiting. "Okay, okay, she told me to ask you."

"Tell that sister of yours that whatever you two come up with is alright by me." Miranda hoped that her voice sounded as carefree as she intended it to.

"Got it. I'll be back."

"And I'm going to get a drink." Miranda made a beeline for the bar even though she knew that she couldn't very well avoid Dani for very long. Especially over a man. And especially since they lived in the same house. But there was a nagging something inside of her that told her Ben wasn't just any man. She plucked up the messy dating card and folded it up, tucking it into her pants pocket next to his, praying that she wasn't making a mistake.

Her thoughts were drowned out by the loud music and the heat that started to rise in the lounge. At the bar, the bartender strolled over to her. "How can I serve you, beautiful?"

"Miranda!" A voice behind her bellowed.

"Sorry, just give me one moment," she said to the bartender, turning to see one of the guys she'd met tonight walking toward her. More than a couple of inches taller than her and muscular, she hurried to recall his name. It was some kind of plant or vegetable. Kale! "Kel, the architect." The man nodded. "You remember me," she said waving down the bartender.

"You're memorable. It's not every day I meet a real-life, cut-you-open surgeon." He moved closer to her and touched her hand. "Four minutes wasn't enough, am I right?"

She took her hand back. The only person she wanted to touch her had disappeared twenty minutes ago. "Depending on the person, it may have been entirely too long," she said thinking of some of the men she'd talked to, including this one.

"Right. Right. So, can I get you a drink?" She said he could and started to order and he cut her off: "Uh, bartender, get the lady a… uh, Cosmo and I'll have a beer."

Miranda glared at him and looked at the man behind the bar who was shaking his head. "Sir, if he wants a Cosmo, give him a Cosmo, but I want a bourbon. And put it on his tab."

Kel raised his hands. "Damn, that was hot. And you are so sexy." She caught him staring at her chest and counted how long before he lifted his eyes.

Five seconds. "Gee, thanks."

"Wanna get out of here?"

"I came with people. I'll be leaving with them." Damn it, where was Val? At this point, she'd even take Dani. The drinks came back and she grabbed hers, thanking the bartender by name.

"We could have fun together," Kel supposed touching the small of her back.

Exhaling, Miranda wiggled away. And she wondered if he would get the hint that she didn't like him or if she was going to have to drop this man to his knees. "No, we couldn't," she responded, feeling an arm slide around her waist. Thinking that she'd manifested one of her sisters, Miranda leaned into the body. As soon as she did, she knew it was neither Val nor Dani. She cast her eyes upward.

"Hey, baby," Ben said looking down at her. "You're good?" He kissed her head as she nodded. "I've been looking all over for you. The dancefloor is calling us. Who's your friend?"

"You have a boyfriend?" Kel asked, confused.

"Yes," Miranda said right as Ben was saying: "Husband, actually."

"Then what are you two doing at a singles' event?"

Miranda smirked. "Looking for a third, of course."

"A third for what?"

"For a threesome. You down?"

The man choked on his drink, shaking his head. "Two men?" She nodded, licking her lips, selling the entire thing. "Oh, hell nah," Kel picked up his drink, walking away.

"Shame," she said.

Ben turned to her with amusement in his eyes. "A threesome?" He asked calling the bartender.

She shrugged, pretending that it was a nonchalant kind of comment. "It's the first thing I thought of."

"I— Can I get a beer, my man? Thanks."

They looked at each other and she finally realized that he was still holding onto her. She slipped from his grasp, pushing some hair behind her ear. "Um. Thank you for jumping in, but I had it handled. You didn't have to save me."

He rubbed his hands on his jeans. "Oh, I know. I just didn't want to be a witness to a murder," he said chuckling. "And sorry about the hand on the... on your… on your… and the, uh, kiss."

"Oh!" She blushed. "Don't even worry about it."

"Yo, Warren!" The two of them turned their heads toward Marcel who was laughing and waving frantically with two other women. "Come here real quick, bro!"

He cleared his throat and smiled. "I will be right back."

"Sure," Miranda said returning it. As soon as he turned his back, it fell off of her face. For a few seconds, she watched the conversation between the four of them, heated. She wandered off to find her sisters. As she walked, she muttered to herself, glad that no one could hear her beneath the bass of the rap music.

A tap on her shoulder made a real smile grace her face. "That was quick," Miranda said, spinning around. Seeing Eli, she said: "Oh!"

"'Oh'?" He asked. "Is that good or bad?"

"Just… I thought you were someone else."

His face squished up. "That doesn't sound good for me." She sucked her teeth, pursing her lips. "How are you?"

"Doing alright. You?" Miranda asked out of habit.

"Good. Uh, how… were the rest of your dates?"

"Really good, actually."

"Don't sound so excited," he said, winking.

Miranda waved him off, playfully. "Uh, what about yours?"

"Not bad. Not bad, I'm glad I met you though." She returned the sentiment sincerely. The man really did seem nice.

"Same here."

"What are you drinking now?"

She swirled it around, careful not to spill any. "Bourbon."

"That definitely seems more your speed," he said.

Miranda smiled. "Well, you scared me out of getting another Long Island."

"Just telling you like it is. Though I'd like to see the Long Island side of you." She gave him a look. "Kidding."

"Stupid," she laughed. Ben meandered over to her. His stride was long and she watched his hips, her gaze traveling up his body. His eye contact asked if she needed help again, but she returned it saying that she was alright. "Hey."

"Hi," he said ignoring Eli.

"Uh, Ben, this is… Eli. Eli, Ben."

Ben began grinning and she hoped he wouldn't say anything embarrassing. "Eli?"

Eli nodded. "Yeah, man. We know each other?" The two of them shook hands.

"Nah."

Miranda wanted to slink away from the incoming commotion. "So, Ben," Eli started, "Miranda was just telling me about her dates."

"Oh, yeah?" Ben said. "And what'd she say?"

"They were really good," Eli mimicked.

"Yeah, she gave me the old 'I had fun'," Ben added as they laughed together.

"Very funny," she said sipping her drink.

Ben turned to her, abruptly. "So, Miranda, do you want to go find a booth or something?"

"What the hell? Do you not see me standing here?" Eli asked.

"And you're doing a good job of it," Ben replied without taking his eyes off of Miranda. She fake-sneezed a laugh away.

"Who do you think you are?"

"That's none of your damn business."

Strained voices and fiery eyes made Miranda's skin pebble with goosebumps as her stomach churned. She knew she had to say something, but what? And why was she in the middle of another drama? She kind of missed the days of boring Miranda. They each looked at her and she'd have liked an alien spacecraft to beam her up. "Okay, you," she said pointing to Ben, "go back to Marcel." She hoped her face and tone conveyed what she was feeling. "Please." Ben nodded.

When he was gone, Eli moved next to her and they watched him go. "Found the jerk."

Miranda wanted to stand up for Ben who she was certain wasn't a jerk, but her eyes just followed him as he slithered through the crowd gracefully. "What was that?"

"You like him?" He asked in a tone that made Miranda defensive even though it wasn't critical.

"I…"

"I get it. He's probably why you didn't turn your card in."

Wait a damn minute. "How'd you know that?"

Eli pointed to his face. "I can get anything I want with his smile."

"I bet you could," she responded wondering what it would be like to touch his sharp jaw.

"But I guess I can't always get everything."

"Well…" She inhaled as her phone rang in her pocket. "Sorry. I thought this was off." An unknown number flashed. "Hello?"

"I told you I didn't like him." Ben's voice almost had her cheesing; with great restraint, she kept her lips still. "It's his face. Can't trust a guy like that. Too—"

"No, uh, I don't bank with them," Miranda said.

"Come over here," he demanded gently.

"I'm sorry, but you have the wrong number."

"If you say so. But, uh—"

She ended the call and pushed the phone into her pocket. "Sorry about that. Spam."

"I hate those damn calls," Eli said.

"Me… too." Her eyes darted around the lounge inconspicuously looking for the man who was annoying her in the sexiest way. "Now what were we saying?"

"Well, you were telling me that you hated that douchebag and that you were very interested in me."

Miranda cocked her head to the side, staring up at him. "Nurse Eli, now you know that I said no such thing."

"I tried," he said with a shrug. "Can you blame me?"

Hearing that, she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "I don't know what to say."

He shook his head. "I guess there's nothing left to say. Bye, Dr. Miranda."

It looked like Eli was going in for a hug and she braced herself. But he just gave her stiff smile before heading to the bar. She sighed. Maybe she was being delusional in lasering in on Ben. Especially when there had been a fine man right in front of her, pining for her. Without thinking, she began walking through the venue. Spotting Val, she sighed. Finally. When she saw who she was talking to, Miranda sped up. Standing behind Donald, the two-time widower, she called her sister. The younger one squinted before answering the call: "What's up?"

"Run."

Val nodded. "Mmhm. Mhmm. Oh okay. I'll be there soon." She said something to Donald who walked away. The sisters walked toward each other. "Tell me about that one."

"Two dead ex-wives."

"Oh, Lord."

"Yep. Don't ever say I've never done anything for you."

"I owe you."

Knowing that Val was on her side when it came to Ben, she bumped her sister with her hip, saying: "Consider us even. Go to the bar and get a drink on Kel's tab."

"Who's Kel?"

"Just do it before his dumb ass closes it." The sisters laughed as Val hurried away. Turning, Miranda could see Ben with Marcel and the other two women; one of them had her arm so tight around him, he was wincing. She chuckled despite being slightly jealous. She wanted to hold him. The thought struck her hard as Dani, who was sitting in a booth alone, tried getting her attention. Miranda continued to walk past her right on out the door. It had gotten much colder since the last time she'd been outside and she tugged her jacket a little as she found an empty bench several feet away from the entrance.

Dani came out shortly after and instead of speaking, Miranda took out her phone and began swiping through it aimlessly while sipping occasionally. They sat in silence as Val found them. "Here y'all are," the youngest said, thrusting her drink into Miranda's hand while pulling out her weed. Dani gestured for it after Val's first pull. "Damn. I didn't even get good on it."

"My bad," Dani said.

"What are y'all doing out here? Finding people to get pregnant with?"

Miranda laughed loudly as her phone beeped and a hospital number appeared. Thank you, Jesus. There'd been few times in her life where she'd been so grateful to have a reason to leave a function with her sisters. But the uneasiness threatened to eat her alive. "Who is it?" Dani asked.

"Uh, the hospital. I have to go."

Val nodded, used to her abrupt leaving. "Be safe, babe."

"I will."

Dani grinned, a caricature of her usual self. "Bye, Mandy," she sang waving at her excitedly. Miranda squinted. Of course! This would give her perfect opportunity to talk to Ben. And put a proper, longer-than-four-minute bid in. "Have fun."

"Want a ride?" Val offered.

"No, I'll take an Uber or something," she said opening the app. The door opened and music poured out.

"That is my jam!" Dani screamed. She jumped up and pulled Val with her toward the building. She watched her sisters go as a guy rushed by, nearly bumping into her. "Hey!"

The man turned and she realized it was Marcel. He bowed. "My fault, Doc."

"It's okay. Wait… you're leaving?" She glanced around looking for Ben.

He nodded. "He's still in there," he said not naming his friend because there was no reason to. He knew she knew. "But I have to pick up my son."

"You have a son?"

"Yep. Should I have led with that?"

Miranda shrugged. If she had a child, she probably wouldn't mention them to random strangers either. "No, I guess not. Does he have kids?" She asked. Marcel shook his head. "Oh."

"Why?"

"Just being nosy. But, um, anyway, can I ask a favor?" He nodded. "Can I have a ride to Seattle Grace?"

"Sure. Let's roll."

In the car, Miranda held on to the edge of the seat as he zipped through the city. "Uh, slow down. Where's the fire?"

"Statistically, every 24 seconds," he said going through a yellow light quickly. She chuckled. "You know, uh, my boy likes you."

"Ben? He does?" Her lips rose into a goofy grin that she hid by looking out of the window.

"Yes. And I don't know what y'all talked about, but it must have been something good because he's doing more smiling tonight than I've seen in a long time."

Now she was curious. Ben seemed like the type who was always happy. Her antithesis. "What do you mean?" She asked.

He looked over and switched lanes. "N-nothing. Never mind. Um…" What had he gone through? A shift of her body had him speaking in a low voice. "Okay, okay, okay." Miranda smirked victoriously. "He just got out of a bad relationship. Like, it was really bad and…" Marcel's sentence came to a screeching halt. "And that's all I'm going to say."

At a red light, she asked: "Is he a good guy?"

"The best," he responded looking directly into her brown eyes.

Miranda could tell that he was being honest. And she wished that she'd gotten this kind of inside scoop on all of the men she'd ever dated—mainly Tucker. That would have made a world of difference and saved her a lot of heartache. "Okay." They talked a little more. "Who, uh… who were the women you two were talking to?"

"Women, women… Oh! I was kinda interested in one of them, you know? And Warren's my wingman, so I needed him for a bit. You know how it is." His answer had her cracking up. "Forgive me. But I knew he had your number 'cause you two hit it off."

"Something like that," she said pensively. A minute later, they were pulling up to Seattle Grace and she jumped out and waved. "Thank you."

"Anytime," he said before zooming off.