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Part 13

"I just don't understand why someone would tell me to meet him at 7 p.m., and then they show up a good ten minutes after," Miranda complained, when the man she was supposed to be out on a date with now stood a few feet away.

Ben held off his smirk and raised an eyebrow. He had heard stories about the infamous ice queen, and he also knew he shouldn't have been late, but he couldn't avoid it. "I am only eight minutes late," he pointed out. "And please let me offer you my apologies."

"Eight minutes is still eight minutes of my precious time," she told him with a brief irritated growl, swirling her goblet of wine around in a manner like she was already getting bored.

"Yes, you're right," Ben agreed with playful obedient tone, touching at his heart in a mock form of penance.

Eying him curiously, Miranda contemplated even if he should sit down or not. She had to give it to him that he did look sincere, and the lightheartedness in his eyes showed that he wasn't at all rigid like most of the businessmen she had gone out with. He was indeed handsome, but he didn't look very old.

Finally, as if she figured she tortured him enough, she sighed. "Sit down," she ordered.

"Thank you," he replied and took a spot across from her. "So I see you ordered some wine."

Miranda stared at him evenly, taking in his features. She noticed right away there was no hint of grey showing, or wrinkles around his eyes, and she just had to know. "How old are you?"

"Wow straight to the point," he grinned. "How old do you think I am?" Ben countered with a devilishly charming leer.

She wanted to roll her eyes; she mastered that, and she once again sighed, telling the man she was not all fazed by him. He finally leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "I guess I can't get anything past you. I am 29."

"Oh god," Miranda groaned, rubbing at her brow. I can't believe this, and I fretted over Andrea's age.

Ben could see the woman's struggle, and on instinct he reached over and placed a caring hand over hers. Instantaneously Miranda yanked it away, and he held up his hand as an offering of peace. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I was just trying to tell you that to me…" he now pointed to himself. "I don't see it as an age thing. I have noticed you before, and I thought you were…are..." he amended quickly. "A very beautiful woman and I just wanted to get to know you better." He gathered a breath. "Plus, I know Angela, and I mentioned that I was very much interested in you, and well, she said she would set it up. If this not what you wanted…if I am just too young, I will leave now and you will not hear another word from me," he told her honestly.

Miranda wanted to tell him yes, tell him that there was no way this was going to work. Not when she was constantly thinking about her ex-assistant and wanting to take her in her arms and never let her go. But that was just a pipe dream, and she knew she would never know if this was even a possibility if she never tried. She finally sighed heavily and gave in. "Stay Ben, I would really like to get to know you better."

He smiled, and she had to admit he had a handsome smile. "Great, let's order, and then I have great seats at the movie theater."

"A movie?" Miranda questioned sharply, lifting an eyebrow. She couldn't remember the last time she had gone to a movie. I guess that just showed her how young her date really was.

"Yeah, dinner and a move," he winked.

She smiled and slowly shook her head. "Okay, dinner and a movie it is."

…..

Ben offered his arm for Miranda to take as soon as they exited the car outside of the theater. "Would you like some popcorn or something?"

"Milk Duds actually sound good," Miranda mentioned, and tried to recall the last time she had those.

"God," he said, looking perplexed. "I forgot all about those." He patted her arm as soon as they entered the building. "I'll get those and a drink for you."

"Oh thanks, ah… water will be fine."

He handed her their tickets. "I hope this movie will be okay. Do you mind finding our seats while I get your snacks?"

"Yes I can mange," she replied. "And I hope it is good as well." She smiled and leaned closer to him, lowering her tone so that only he could hear. "Don't be too long now," she flirted, and then quickly walked away, which he admired by tipping his head to the side. Shaking away his lustful thoughts, he strolled toward the snack bar.

Miranda didn't have to wait long for her date to come back. She had to say he sure was efficient as he carefully handed her the Milk Duds. "There aren't too many people here."

"Let's hope it stays that way," he paused, looking toward the screen and watching the ads float across it.

Miranda followed his gaze, viewing the swirling dumb ads, and then the lights dimmed down and the green prompt for the following preview appeared. Then as if lightening had struck right at Miranda's heart, she was staring at her Andrea, up there on the big screen in all her splendor. So rugged in her western outfit, looking tough and so very sexy, and when she spoke with such strength and power, it about made her choke on her candy.

Hearing her cough, Ben gazed at her tenderly. "Hey, are you alright?"

She pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm fine," she squeaked but her eyes stayed glued to the large screen in front of her.

Holy hell this was just too much on her entire body seeing this woman like this up there looking like she was actually was looking right into her very soul. Andrea's sultry gaze shot straight to Miranda's core, making her instantly aroused. She had to thank god that this wasn't in 3D or she might have passed right out. Then suddenly she wheezed, finding it hard to breathe as she watched Andrea deeply kissing her co-star, and the teasing sight of a hot romantic bed scene showing Andrea's bare thigh caused Miranda's mouth to fall open, making her instantly drop her candy right on the hard floor. She was captivated by both the sight of that bare leg and the hungry kisses with her co-star that she felt the heat rise in her as she recalled all of those steamy kisses that she sampled first hand that night in New Mexico. She was so caught up in it she didn't realize that the chocolate hard caramel began to roll down the floor under the other seats.

Ben noticed and tried to stop them, but it was no use, so he tried to get her attention. He had never seen anyone in such a trance and he was beginning to worry. "Miranda," he hissed quietly. "What's going on?" he asked and when she didn't even answer him, he softly shook her. "God, don't tell me you're having some kind of stroke."

Miranda broke out of her trance after the preview ended. She felt sweat bead at her forehead and in her arm pits, and she desperately quieted her ragged breathing. "I'm fine," she gulped.

"Okay," Ben replied slowly, apprehensiveness filled his brow. "What happened there?"

"I …" she mentally chastised herself for getting so swept away. Closing her eyes, she tried again. "I don't know… I ….but I am fine now," she stammered weakly.

In that moment he actually dared to cover her hand again with his own, and then threaded their fingers together. "Is this okay?"

Miranda peered down at their hands. "It's fine." It was indeed fine, but that was all it was. It didn't do anything for her. In fact, it was nothing, she felt nothing at all…no spark, no warmth. It was nothing like when Andrea held her hand.

…

With the movie over, they fell silent until they reached the townhouse. Ben was really a gentleman and came around and opened the door for Miranda. "I had a great time tonight," he admitted with a sly smile.

"Yes, I say it went rather well," Miranda replied, yet she was eager to get inside and take a long hot bath.

Ben shuffled his feet a little and Miranda could tell he was nervous. "I would love to share lunch with you, I mean, do this again sometime." he said. "I mean, if that is agreeable with you."

"Actually, Ben…" She was going to tell him no….but it had been a pleasant evening, and why in the hell not go out with him again. "Sure, I would like that."

Surprised, Ben almost gasped. "Really?"

Miranda offered him a slight smile. "Sure." She even reached out and touched his hand, and once again it didn't elicit or trigger any kind of spark a within her.

Apparently that was Ben's cue and he gathered himself closer. "So, how about a goodnights kiss?"

"I am not opposed to it," Miranda pointed out, her face showing no emotion, even when he wrapped his arms around her waist. He bent his head and slipped his lips over her soft ones. She accepted the not so soft touch of lips against her own, and once again it did nothing, no spark, no warmth.

They pulled back, both mirroring pursed lips. "Oh," Miranda voiced, brow furrowed.

"Yeah," Ben's face almost looked like he was in pain. "I uh," he swallowed.

Miranda couldn't help it, she actually giggled, and he now even had an odder look on his face. She shook her head, and waved it off as she inhaled. "Hey don't worry about it, I get it." She patted his arm gently. "But thank you for a nice evening anyway."

"I'm sorry," he sighed with a frown.

"No…don't be sorry. It is what it is."

Ben smiled. "Goodnight Miranda." He turned to get inside his car, and then turned back. "For what it is worth, you are not what I expected, and I hope there is someone out there for you…you deserve to be happy."

Miranda felt her lips turn into a soft smile. "I believe that as well, and I know exactly who that is," she actually admitted, and blinked in shock to hear the words fall from out of her own mouth.

Ben held a hand over his heart. "Lucky guy," he winked, and then slowly sank back into his car and sped off.

Miranda watched his car until she no longer saw taillights. She peered up at the hazy night sky. "Oh Andrea, what have you done to me?" She blew out a sad tired breath and finally went inside.

…

Andy wanted to scream as she packed her luggage. She couldn't believe she would be in New York in less than eight hours, and she put off packing until the very last moment.

"Damn girl, you should have called me earlier," Lily sighed heavily and looked at the mess around Andy's room.

"I know, I just thought I could handle this."

"Why you even bothered to unpack at all is beyond me."

"Because I hate living out of a fucking suitcase," Andy heaved, shoving articles of clothing into her luggage.

"So," Lily began. "How do you feel about being back in the Big Apple?"

"I haven't had time to really feel anything at all."

Lily groaned. "Oh bullshit, I know better."

"Lily, don't start, I'm not in the mood." She wasn't lying either and the ache at her temples was only getting worse.

"So when will you be back here, I mean home?"

"Not sure, I know I have more promotions to do here."

"Oh that's right you have Ellen," Lily squealed with excitement. "Do you think I could tag along with you on that?"

"I don't see why not."

"Yay!" Lilly's high pitched voiced filled Andy's room and she cringed from it.

Andy held her head as she rolled her eyes, but tried to smile for her friend. "Shit, we really need to hurry; my car will be here to get me in less than an hour."

"Hey, are you really going to do Regis and Kelly?"

"I have no choice; I guess when you are a lead, it's part of your job," she murmured with a shrug.

"You are so lucky."

"Lucky?" Andy once again rolled her eyes. "I feel like I can't even breathe with how busy I am." She flopped herself on the bed and just wanted to close her eyes.

"Sooooo," Lily hesitated a moment then dropped down by her friend. "What is the deal between you and Cameron?"

Andy snorted a groan. "Nothing, we're just friends."

"I saw you two in the Enquirer, you know."

"Yeah, so?" Andy ran a hand through her hair.

"You know what everyone is saying, don't you?"

"I really don't care, and I promise I don't feel that way about her."

Lily waited a moment and then stood up and placed more articles of clothing in Andy's luggage. "Andy, when are you going to get back out there? I mean, ever since Nate left after the whole Paris thing, you just haven't been yourself. I mean, isn't it time? I just want you to be happy."

Andy knew why, her heart definitely knew, and she also knew she had to move on. "I will, and I will soon, and you know, maybe not Cameron, but I did get someone else's number the other night."

Lily's eyes went wide. "Who?"

Andy only winked. "I will tell you more when I know more."

Lily groaned with a pouty frown. "Oh come on, at least give me an initial so I can guess."

"Ok, it starts with an M," she blurted then cringed. "Did I say M…I meant a J."

Lily's forehead furrowed. "M and J are not even the same. Do you have two people that your are withholding from your friend?"

"No, I messed up, promise… just a slip of a tongue." Andy swallowed, and finally found the energy to get back up and start packing again.

"You better tell me soon," Lily countered.

"I will, I promise, but right now it's just a number from someone that is interested."

"I can tell that you are too, or you wouldn't have even mentioned it. Can you at least tell me if it's a male or female?"

Andy only winked at her friend and walked into the master bath to grab her toiletries. "Wouldn't you like to know?" she said from the bathroom. She gazed at her reflection, and right away noticed how tired she looked, and immediately her thoughts drifted to Miranda. She now wished she had answered the phone that night. It had been killing her wondering what the other woman had wanted. Probably something to do with how awful my photos shoot was, Andy thought. She knew Runway's magazine was out with her on the cover. Her agent and her assistant had both told her it was a magnificent spread, but she knew Miranda better, and it probably wasn't good at all.

Plus she met up with someone she had not expected to see and they also raved over the issue of Runway with her in it. She felt flattered that it came from her, and she knew she should want to see it, but right now, she just didn't dare. Closing her eyes, Andy tried desperately to ignore the pain her heart and the real reason why she didn't want to see it, then sighed and went back to the task of packing for New York.