A/N – "Thoughts"
Chapter 5 – Zero Hour
It had been almost a week since Ryan had sent her the flowers and much to Miranda's relief, she hadn't heard from him since.
It was Thursday afternoon and Miranda was in the office; in the back of the shop. Sitting at her drawing board, she was working on her latest creation. Taking a break, she leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms.
Her eyes fell on a mannequin across the room. It was dressed in a wedding dress Miranda had designed and created for herself.
She smiled as she mentally went over all the details she put into the dress.
Lizzie's voice snapped her back to reality. "Nervous?" she asked with a small smile.
Miranda glanced over at her. "A little." Leaning forward against the drawing board, she looked back at the dress. "But I know he's the one."
Lizzie snickered and Miranda looked at her. "Who knew that all the bickering you two did was just sexual tension," Lizzie said sarcastically.
Miranda arched an eyebrow and smiled. Then she sobered and frowned slightly.
Noticing this, Lizzie walked over to her. "What's wrong?"
"I can't shake this feeling, like something bad is gonna happen."
Lizzie took her friend seriously but was sure it was just stress. "Its just pre-wedding jitters. I had them. Everyone does."
"Yea, that's what Gordo said but I can't shake this feeling."
"Don't worry. In four days you'll be on the beach in Hawaii." She then grinned. "Or maybe in bed in Hawaii," she joked trying to get Miranda to relax.
Miranda gave her a half smile.
Hearing the bell over the door ring, Lizzie walked to office's doorway to see who came in.
"Shit," Lizzie said under her breath. But Miranda caught it.
"What?"
Lizzie turned back to her "Nothing. Just a customer, I can handle it, go back to your sketch."
Miranda knew she was hiding something. Getting up, she walked over. "Who is it?"
Blocking the doorway she said, "Nobody."
Then Miranda heard the voice, "Miranda."
Miranda's lips pressed into a thin line. Gently pushing Lizzie aside, Miranda walked into the front of the store.
As Ryan smiled at her, Miranda's face remained emotionless and she glared at him. "Why are you having such a hard time getting this through your damn head? I never want to see your sorry ass ever again! Go back to whatever rock you crawled out from and leave me the hell alone!"
Ryan didn't even flinch, infact he chuckled. "Randy, I know you don't mean that."
Miranda rubbed her face as she tried her best to not pick something up to hit him with.
Taking a few steps forward, Ryan was now towering over her. He gently brushed her hair and Miranda pushed his hand off of her.
Roughly grabbing her around the waist, he pulled her to him. Miranda tried her best to push him off but he was too strong. "Come on baby. You know you want it."
Before she could react, Ryan bent down and kissed her hard on the lips. Just as their lips met the door chime rang; meaning somebody was walking in.
As Ryan tried to deepen the kiss, Miranda finally pushed him off her.
Grunting, Ryan stumbled back and was grinning wildly.
But before either could say anything, Lizzie beat them to it. "Oh my god! Gordo!"
Miranda's head snapped up and locked eyes with Gordo. She immediately saw the hurt in his eyes. Her voice failed her as she tried to say his name.
Gordo reacted on instinct. He charged forward with his fist cocked back and just as Ryan turned, Gordo drilled him.
Ryan stumbled back and was knocked into a display rack. His lip was open and bleeding slightly.
Before anyone could react, Gordo was gone.
Miranda felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. She just collapsed to her knees and started crying.
Lizzie rushed forward to her, wrapping her in a hug.
Todd, who had come in with Gordo, grabbed Ryan by the arm and literally threw him out of the shop.
Todd, came back to them and stood a few feet away from them, unsure what to do. "Liz."
Lizzie's head snapped up. "Find him!" she yelled at him.
He didn't need to be told twice. Spinning around, he quickly ran outside to his car.
As Miranda continued to cry, all Lizzie could do was hold her. Gently stroking her hair, "Its gonna be alright," she whispered to her.
