Miranda was only told by Dona to wear something casual for tonight with Andy.

Picking it out, Miranda was oddly undecided in what to wear, normally chose in fashion what the world should wear, she was never like this, for Miranda, it was almost like she was having her first date in high school. Just more butterflies.

It was with who she wanted the most.

Caroline saw her first, murmured. ''Mom you look really pretty.'' As she stepped downstairs to them.

Cassidy agreed. Mom looked great in a jersey wrap dress which brought out her eyes more.

Set up by Dona. Andy was suggested by her to take Miranda somewhere nice, darkly tempted to take Miranda to a diner for hamburgers and chili.

Somewhere nice. Fine Andy could do that, she would take her somewhere really nice and Miranda better like it.

Had set it up an hour ago.

Andy hadn't been out on a date in years, now going out this evening of forced companionship with Miranda, just wonderful Andy groused, opening the door for her into her pickup.

Andy had to admit Miranda did look pretty in that dress, not that Andy cared how Miranda looked tonight. This wasn't a date.

''Miranda you won't need those for tonight.'' Andy pointed to her heels.

Miranda had, had many dates over the years but never in a pickup with no idea where she was going to, also she'd never gone barefoot on a date before.

Cutting off the engine, Miranda saw they were on a beach that stretched out secluded with just the lapping ocean.

''Here we are.'' Miranda was staring out at the waves as a soft breeze from the summer evening blowing her silvery forelock.

'' Sorry if it's not what you expected. I come here sometimes. Plus this requires no reservations.''

Saw wild dolphins jumping.

''No I like it.'' Eyes shimmering at Andy, it was beautiful and perfect to her.

Pulling on her soft hand, Andy tugged her to follow her, holding her hand in hers. Carrying a picnic basket for them. Miranda felt the weight of Andy's hand inside hers, fit well, long fingers clasped.

Only Miranda made barefoot elegant. Strolling lit candles along a path.

Andy had earlier, unrolled a blanket out on the sand for them, settling down next to Andrea who lit a few candles inside a hurricane lamp.

Miranda's bare feet sifting in sand. ''Andrea I am so sorry about hitting you.''

''My nose will live.'' Andy shrugged at her, uncorked a bottle of wine.

''What are we having on our date?'' Asking Andy who was unpacking the basket.

''This isn't a date. Miranda.'' Andy flatly proclaimed, pouring her a glass of wine in the moonlight, offered the wineglass as Andy began filling hers.

''A toast to all beleaguered Runway employees ducking phone books.'' Miranda rolled her eyes at her.

''Fine lets toast to you being alive.'' Andy quirked a brow at Miranda's strange salut, clinking glasses with her.

''Cheers.''

''Caroline told me, you teach, what kind of a teacher are you?''

Andy eyes crinkled at her. ''A mean one.''

''I use to teach third grade now Kindergarten and I took teaching in college as a backup to Journalism. Prelaw or Pre-med wasn't for me so here I am. Finger-paint and playdoh not exactly NY exciting but I like it, during the season I run the Guest House.''

Miranda recalled Andy's writing samples, at that first interview.

''I read you now head The Board, no more Ravitz.''

''I don't want to talk about Runway Andréa.'' Miranda affirmed.

''What do you want to talk about Miranda.'' Andy asked her.

''You and I.'' Miranda was looking right at Andy. ''I thought you died.'' Andy blinked at Miranda who waspishly spoke looking now out at the surf of waves. The tides were holding her gaze, brushing her eyes with her fingers, Andy watched her.

Was Miranda crying? Andy was certain she was.

''Nigel told me there was a car accident and that you were killed in it.'' Andy froze at her words of accident.

Jill her sister with their parents were killed in an accident, a collision with a drunk driver that night when Andy was attacked. She'd been so busy on her phone not to notice him.

''So you thought I died in it?'' Andy swallowed and saw Miranda nod shakily still looking out at the waves.

''Well as you can see I'm here quite alive.'' Sort of, half alive, Andy reasoned to herself.

''Miranda, you never received any left messages from Dona about what happened to me.''

''No.''

Andy realised Miranda didn't know what happened to her, vowing Miranda would never know. Couldn't ever know.

Miranda turned to Andy with wet eyes. ''Andrea please I know that night I treated you so cruelly. I don't deserve you or anything from you and I don't expect you to forgive me if ever but when Nigel told me you were killed. I came to realise how I felt-feel about you.''

Andy almost got up, away from her, digesting this still.

''Please Andy don't, let me tell you, I realized and I thought too late, what you meant to me. I know that night I treated you so terribly.'' Trying to stroke Andy's arm to stay and look at her.

''After your kiss, I just didn't know how to react to it. To you.'' Miranda stared into Andy's eyes, ''you don't know how much, I wish that night to just go back and I could make you unkiss my lips.''

That night with Ravitz looking so smug and amused at Miranda, if she had kissed Andy back her whole world would have come crashing down.

Page Six would finally know why Runway's frigid dragon failed with every husband, Irv Ravitz would've ensured it was leaked out.

Miranda's unexpected coming out.

Miranda had been carefully gaining Kit's friendship who had a vision for Runway that would help oust Ravitz out of Elias Clarke for good which would have Miranda at the controlling helm.

Miranda had thought she needed the stability of Stephen to keep Cassidy and Caroline. Irony was she got everything she'd ever worked so hard for that week finally and then it didn't seem worth anything, hearing Andy died.

Wasn't ready for Andrea then but she was ready now. With her heart wide open.

Unkiss her lips.

Miranda's words, hurt Andy who creased her dark brown brows, frowning at her. ''Miranda I don't need to hear how you didn't want my kiss. You didn't like it. We can just… let's drop it.''

''Didn't like it? No Andy.'' Miranda shook her head at Andy, she wasn't going to drop it.

Miranda's made up her mind and her mouth which was without any hesitation connecting now to Andy's, slowly first she touched Andy's lips with hers.

Meeting her mouth fully to Andy's startled lips, Miranda's face drew closer to Andy's uncertain enough to think she might spring away, slicking her mouth again to Andy's gently, looking at her closely, each time drawing herself intimately closer pressing into Andy, shimmering blue colliding with brown eyes as both mouths found each other and fit warmly, slick and biting with their lips, resting their tongues lightly on one another's as Miranda drew her hands in Andy's hair, slowly stroking the depth of full rich chestnut while both of them still kissed with mouths full of both their flavour.

Tentatively tracing her scars across her cheekbone with her open hand. Miranda's mouth tasted of lipstick and Andy's salt, the contact of tongues, that alive and slippery muscle, moist flesh on flesh, and the strange wonderful sound it drew from her, that emanating sound of want emitting from both seemed to enter Miranda, pierce her down her length so that her whole body opened up kissing her more freely in moonlight.

Their first mutual kiss was electric.

Breaking free, pressing her forehead to Andy's.

''Does this constitute a date yet?'' Miranda asked teasing her a bit. Softly brushed Andy's mouth again with hers. Ran her fingertips to the back of Andy's neck, twining them along Andy's nape.

Affectionately raking Andy's spiky tresses. ''I use to love your hair long. I often wondered how it felt.'' Marvelling at the burnished texture between her slim digits. My punky hedgehog.

'' Why did you cut it.''

Andy remembered once taking scissors to her hair in tears in a mirror.

Just like that, he was here, ruined it. Felt a shift in Andy, tensing near her.

Andy bit her lips, still tasting Miranda on them. Piercing her blue eyes rigidly. ''Was I supposed to feel something. Miranda.''

''Don't be like that Andy.'' Miranda pleaded. Andy was closed off.

That wasn't fair like when she'd pretended that night to feel nothing from Andy's kiss.

''Drive me back.''

Andy agreed looking into hurt blue eyes. ''All right. I will. Miranda.''


''You're being a real jerk to Mom.''

Caroline informed Andy as she measured the glass for the bay window this morning.

''You suck worse than Stephen.'' Cassidy added as she watched Andy working. Stephen had done some pretty lame ass things to Mom but never hurt her.

Caroline pondered telling Andy how Mom looked upset last night. Would have said Men, slung tool belt and boyish name, Andy wasn't a guy but as insensitive as one.

The twins thought and vocalized she sucked. Miranda had silently just left Andy in her pickup last night without a word to her.

Dona knew Andy did something to upset Miranda on their date last night because so far breakfast had been a slammed down glass of orange juice, lukewarm coffee and burnt toast.

Her morning paper ending up as Miranda's.

Miranda was giving Andy the icy silent treatment. If she hurt Miranda's feelings well they were even now.

Admittedly Miranda's kiss had made Andy respond and she didn't know what to do about it, she hadn't reacted like that in four years.

Almost wanted to take the kiss further but Miranda had said about her hair and so she'd lashed out at Miranda.

Andy knew part of herself was coiled in self-protecting and self-preservation and fear, also Miranda wouldn't want her, and she was damaged goods.

Andy was as damaged as you could get. Better this way, putting a wall up to Miranda.

It was not possible for Andy not to care about Miranda though but it was going to be a long summer with Miranda hating her guts now.

Andy had forgotten how an angry Miranda wasn't a pleasant experience but a hurt and pride stung La Priestly was insufferable, tersely told by The Ice Queen to stop hammering an hour ago.

Snapped at Andy who had begun sawing near the window where Miranda was on the line to Runway.

''Please use her tools silently.''

All Righty.

Andy heard that Nigel and Emily were coming down tomorrow.

Measuring out the width, Andy heard Miranda speaking with someone named Kit. Andy didn't like being referred to as the help.

She wasn't a bronzed pool attendant or a cabana boy.

Singing lowly Rascal Flatts song Riot quite off key. Help huh. Who in hell has a name like Kit Somerset II.

Apparently he was coming down too. Andy heard Kit saying if he'd known sooner he would have sailed down on his yacht.

Caroline saw Andy mouth to herself. ''Of course he has a yacht.''

Kit Somerset II better not be staying in Miranda's room. Andy would not be bringing them his and hers towels.

Andy deciding she was Googling him at lunch, just curious.

Kit and Miranda it sounded just awful paired together.

After lunch and looking up one Kit Somerset II, Andy was steaming. Kit had hair and wasn't bald or paunchy no he was chiselled silver haired hunk, oh and he gave millions to charity, built homes for humanity the rich gloating bastard.

Andy felt like she was looking at Miranda's future third husband.

Caroline noticed Andy's white knuckle grip as she hammered.

Handed a list of Miranda's wants, took it from Dona, reading a list for a dinner party.

One trellis with outdoor lights and roses. Modena Olive Oil. Goat Cheese. Brie. Lobster Tails, Satsuma. Kumquats, Pistachios. Sunraysia. Champagne sorbet. Rhubarb compotes, Margaux '78 and mainly Kit's dietary needs of gluten and lactose free and he was allergic to feather pillows.

Miranda shouldn't know something that personal. That was like knowing his swim trunks or boxer size.

Crumpling the list and going in search of Miranda.

''Miranda what the hell is this and a trellis.''

Andy was really strongly reminded of it's just a little drizzle hurricane when Andy ran around calling every airline and was half tempted to try and get the National Guard to airlift Miranda back to New York.

Blue eyes were icy slits on her. ''Yes Andrea, I am a guest these are my requests.''

Ignoring Andrea who she was still mad at, and humiliated by, last night when she'd kissed her and she felt Andy respond to her lips and then lied right to her face.

It was like a slap.

If it was retaliation to make her feel rejected. It worked. Nettled and her hackles were up with everything Andy did today.

''Andrea I am very busy. You do have the ability unless I'm most mistaken to be able to read.''

Gripping her Mont Blanc pen tightly, she was presently in the middle of a virtual run through with her staff on her IPad Air.

Andy clicked it off on her, losing the Wi-Fi connection.

Placing her hand over Andy's, sweaty near her.

''If you want the help to do this right, I think you better accompany me. I'd hate to disappoint a VIP guest such as yourself. Miranda.''

Realised Andrea had heard every word to Kit. ''You were listening.'' Narrowing blue orbs on her.

Andy just grinned at Miranda. ''Kinda hard to avoid.''

Even in Louboutins for Miranda, Andy was taller than her.

Finding her voice in close proximity to Andy against her desk with her knees hitting the edge. ''Fine. Take me then.''

Andy mouth went dry but still smirked down at her.

Their mouths inches apart, Miranda arched her haughty brow in challenge. ''I meant. Out. Sachs.''

''Sure you did. Miranda.''


They went out shopping together.

Ordering fresh flowers from a designer florist for all next week that cost way too much but Miranda insisted it was her money, Miranda selected fruit and vegetables at a local market and everything on her list, all organic, instead of renting a blasted trellis, Andy would build her one.

Lying to Miranda she ordered it for her.

Driving Andy liked cranking out loud Rock on her radio, Miranda liked Classical. Kept turning her dial. Compromised with cheesy Pop with Alternative.

Because apparently the Guest House towels and sheets were like sandpaper, Miranda proceeded to buy new, expensive Sea Island sets as Andy darkly didn't like the idea of Miranda in those sheets with Kit.

In retaliation for putting that idea in her head for the last hour, Andy's last stop was at Walmart to Miranda's horror.

''It's a store not entering the bowels of hell.'' Holding her keys jingling them, Andy knew Miranda couldn't drive stick.

Either Miranda could stay in a hot parking lot or enter Walmart. Endure where the hoi polloi shop.

Andy had to buy an alligator stuffed animal and an alarm clock, looking perfectly serious about it, Miranda rolled her eyes at her childishness at playing with a Jedi lightsaber.

''Are we buying this for yourself?'' Slipping it into her cart. Andy grinned. ''Haven't you ever been toy shopping before?''

''Not recently.'' Miranda shook her head. Not in years, contrary to Andy's belief she had been in shopping malls before.

''Don't tell me you sent assistants out for you? Even when Cass and Car were little?''

Miranda took a breath of calm. ''I had a very sick pregnancy and later with running Runway. I'm not afforded time to do things I wish I could with Cassidy and Caroline. I suppose that makes me an awful mother.''

Andy looked at her softly. ''No. It doesn't. Miranda you try your best.''

''What do want to do with the girls that you feel you're missing out on?''

Miranda off the top of her head. ''Bake cookies on a rainy day and watch romcoms in pjs. Maybe stop thinking I'm failing them.''

''Bake cookies huh, Does Page Six know.'' Earned a mock glare.

Andy was selecting bright wrapping paper and a card with a huge bow. ''It a birthday present for a six year old.''

''Andy.''

She was called for again. ''Andy. Over here.''

''Hey you.'' Andy greeted her. Miranda just loved Andy's amazing command of English.

Flung into a hug and a kiss as Miranda stared.

''I haven't seen you in ages. You look great.'' Miranda saw she was around Andy's age and perky. Touching Andy's hair which Miranda didn't like.

So Andrea didn't mind her touch just Miranda's.

''Josh can't wait to see you.''

They knew one another very well, Miranda could tell, she also realised she was jealous. Seething silent jealous.

Her jealous of a clear skinned young blonde haired woman wearing plain jeans and a non-designer top who had kissed Andy in greeting.

''Hi I'm Marybeth.''

''Miranda.''

Miranda was civil but hardly overextending herself with warmth. Kept having visions of Andy and this Marybeth kissing.

Marybeth bid goodbye, sweetly inviting Miranda to come to Josh's party as well.

''She's very pretty in a plain superficial way.'' Miranda concluded Marybeth was probably a cheerleader once. Pom poms and Ra Ra.

One very miffed Dragon Lady felt Grrr towards her. Miriam Princhek was not a cheerleader in high school. Miranda once had her drawing and dreams of working in fashion and becoming very wealthy to escape her crummy home life.

Andy stared taken aback was Miranda Priestly jealous. Andy saw she was, of Marybeth, Andy decided evilly not to tell her who Marybeth was and that she was not involved with her.

Vaguely Andy agreed. ''Yeah she is, but Marybeth isn't my type.''

''She isn't?''

Miranda blinked, following Andy in checkout near the magazine stand. ''What is your type?''

Shrugging airily. ''Lots of little things make up my type.''

Miranda asked her sharply. ''Like what things?'' Andy was enjoying this immensely putting her shopping cart selections on the conveyer checkout.

''I don't know. Just this and that. I like accomplished. Sexy in a cold indifferent way. Feisty and wasp- tongued quarrelsome. Proper but cute in glasses and a grey bathrobe.''

''Smells like roses in rain.''

Just to piss Miranda off, buying a Playboy.

Miranda saw that choice of magazine, missing that Andy was describing her years ago.

''Now I just focus all my thoughts on your flaws. Like playing with my dial.'' Bought Miranda a Baking magazine. ''Here you go cookie-cutter.''


Carrying everything in for Miranda, brown bags as Cassidy and Caroline saw their Mom was in a prickly mood. What did Andy do to her now?

Buying that magazine, was like leaving the toilet seat up.

Andy had one of Stephen's bad habits.

Miranda had phone calls to make to Runway, let Sachs ogle and drool over objectified women's big tits.

Or want Marybeth's.

Andy certainly wasn't ever seeing hers.

Joe DiMaggio was at her heel. ''You're owner is a pig.''


''Guys how would you like to help me build a trellis for your Mom.''

Pricking her fingers again from rose bush thorns woven to the trellis, it was 11pm. It was done. Bringing her fingertips to her lips.

Caroline and Cassidy earlier had strung the lights up and were told by Andy not a word to their Mom, just say it was delivered.

''Andy you have to sleep.'' Dona chided.

Knew this habit of Andy's, exhaust herself. To sleep.

Joe DiMaggio was now in permanent residence with Ms Icicle. In her bed. Andy had a word with Joe to just keep yachting Kit out of it.

Both came to an understanding, Miranda was although. '' Too rich for my blood buddy.'' They were sharing her anyway.

Though Andy didn't get treats or chances at jumping into Miranda's bed or her face smooshed.

Andy recalled at the shelter how Joe was once in very bad shape. He was thin, had been starved and had open abrasions all over his legs & belly – like he'd been dragged by a car or lit on fire and Andy knew this was her dog. Both were survivors.

Andy yawned, slipping off her clothes naked, she sunk into her own bed sleepy.

It was mid-morning, Miranda looked out back to see it was here, it was perfect, Andrea was wrong it was delivered early and it was exactly what she'd wanted.

Caroline was eating cereal with Cassidy. ''Do you like it Mom?'' Miranda smiled fully, it was exactly what she wanted.

''Yes it's wonderful.'' Sipping her coffee.

''Good. Andy worked on it all last night for you.'' Caroline said. ''We helped.'' Cassidy added.

Andy did this for her.

Dona nodded in agreement. ''Andy's room is the last one on the right.''

Miranda had to go thank Andrea.