A/N – "Thoughts"

Chapter 2 – The Past Comes Back To Haunt

Lizzie leaned against the counter and watched Miranda as she was fixing a display. It was hard not to notice the huge smile on Miranda's face.

Finishing, Miranda looked back at the counter and saw Lizzie. "What?"

Lizzie grinned, "So when did Gordo get home?"

Miranda walked over, "What makes you think he's home?"

"You're way too happy, even if you do like this job," Lizzie answered.

Miranda laughed softly, "Yea, he came home last night. They wrapped early and he caught the red-eye home."

Miranda stood against the other side of the counter. "We were talking this morning and couldn't believe that in two weeks, we'll be married."

Lizzie snickered, "And to think you couldn't stand him at first."

"Oh, I still can't stand him. He's just cuter," The two started laughing.

The door chime ringing interrupted them. Lizzie looked up and over Miranda's shoulder at the man who walked in.

"Can I help you?" Lizzie asked.

"I'm looking for Miranda Sanchez."

Miranda's blood ran cold at the sound of his voice. Lizzie looked back at her and took in her expression. "You know him?" she whispered to her.

Miranda's mouth twisted into a scowl. "Yea. I know him," she said in a low voice.

Slowly turning around, she saw the last person she ever wanted to see again. "What do you want?"

The man grinned at her. "Come on baby. You know why I'm here. How come you haven't responded to any of my letters or my emails?"

"Should've taken the hint," she said sarcastically. "We're over. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore."

He continued to grin and walked up to her. "You don't mean that. We had something special and I know I screwed that up. But I also think it deserves a second chance."

"You've got to be kidding me. After the way you treated me, you think I'd give you a second chance."

"Baby," he said touching her arms.

"Don't touch me," Miranda took a step back and jerked her arms out of his grasp.

"Come on Randy."

"Its Miranda," she said glaring at him. "Get it through your thick head, we are over. There will be no second chances. I've found someone who treats me like a queen and I'll be damned if I'm going to give him up for a jerk like you."

"Ok," he said holding his hands up defensively, his grin remaining. "I'll give you sometime to think about it. I'll talk to you later." He headed towards the door. "See ya around Randy," he said walking out.

Miranda just glared at him, fuming.

Lizzie had been watching them and was surprised by Miranda's fierce reaction. "Who is he?" She watched Miranda pace back and forth angrily, muttering under her breath. "Miranda. Who was that?" she asked concerned.

Miranda stopped suddenly. "Ryan," she practically growled.

"Ryan?" The name sounded familiar but she couldn't remember why, then it clicked. "Ryan!" she yelled in surprise.

"That arrogant son of a bitch."

Lizzie watched her start to pace again. "You gonna tell Gordo?"

"Tell him what? That the man he wants to beat to a pulp for hurting me is here trying to win me back. Yea that's a real good idea." Miranda then walked into the backroom.

Lizzie rolled her eyes "This is gonna get ugly."

The rest of the day, Miranda couldn't concentrate. When she should be excited about her upcoming wedding to the man she loved, she couldn't shake the feeling in the pit of her stomach. As much as she wanted to believe Ryan would just go away, Miranda knew he would reappear. "Knowing my luck it'll be at the worst possible moment."

That night, Miranda laid in bed, entangled with Gordo. After all the drama that had happened, when she came home she was reminded of why she was in love with

Gordo.

He had cooked them dinner and had gone out and rented her favorite classic movie, Casablanca. They had watched it during dinner. As the movie was ending, Miranda had temporarily forgot about Ryan and focused on Gordo.

They had spent the rest of the night, making up for the month apart.

She sighed as Ryan came back into her mind. Miranda reached out and gently played with Gordo's hair. "Just when everything was looking perfect, my past comes back to haunt me."

Gordo slowly opened his eyes and kissed her shoulder. "You ok?" he asked tiredly.

"Yea. Just a long day," Miranda answered. "Technically its true."

"Wanna talk about it?"

Miranda smiled softly. "Nah, go back to sleep."

Grunting, Gordo rolled over onto his side, facing away from her and fell back asleep. Miranda rolled over as well and snuggled up against his back. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she closed her eyes and listened to Gordo's rhythmic breathing lulling her to sleep.