(And it's hard to discover...That you're just another jealous lover...And it's so tough to take...That you're making no mistake jealous lover...Oh girl don't want no other - Jealous Lover by Rainbow)

The plan was to avoid and ignore.

As soon as he touched down on Vegas soil he was quick to let her know he wasn't far from home, reminding her they needed to talk before he bid her a good night finally.

How could she forget? It had only been a couple of hours! And as far as she was concerned there was nothing to talk about.

So Miranda has sat the next morning, sipping on coffee, before work, trying to write out a weekly itinerary. She planned on keeping busy. Dean was going to be the last thing on her mind.

No, he wasn't even going to be on it!

So far the list was only a week long. Was that really all it took to do everything she ever wanted here?

Scrunching up her face in dissatisfaction Miranda shook her head and dropped her pen on her pad. No matter...that was probably all the time she needed before Dean tired of her again and moved on.

If not sooner.

She left for work and that was that.

Dean was no romantic. He wasn't the type to sweep a girl off her feet and promise her the world.

Sure he sometimes deluded himself that he would love to try but the girls he hooked up with let him know he was good for one thing and one thing only.

He was nothing. He was trailer park trash, even though he had never lived a day in his life, in a trailer. He was rebound material. He was the sometimes cool, sometimes creepy, loner, loser type that was cool for a fun time but like hell he was coming home to mom and dad. He was crazy, a spaz...

Again, nothing.

Yet thoughts of fluffy little puppies and colorful flowers...songs of admiration and nice candlelit dinners actually flitted through his brain when he thought of how to approach and make things right with Miranda.

He hadn't even boned the chick and here he was thinking about that romancing mumble jumble.

She seemed like the type to appreciate a nice bouquet, some whispered sweet words...

But despite wanting to even entertain the thought of giving her any of those things the past just wouldn't let up and he couldn't see, he could, in fact, do those things. Should.

Still...maybe a bite and a drink wasn't so bad right?

He chanced a text to the girl plaguing his thoughts hoping upon hope she wasn't through with him like she said she was.

Dean: What do you think about grabbing a bite to eat...maybe walk a little as I explain things.

It was as romantic as he could get right now.

The answer he received in response left him feeling deflated.

Miranda: Sorry! No can do. Mandatory overtime this week over here.

No "Maybe later?" No, "We'll reschedule!" Just a statement, a simple can't.

He wanted to get upset but he knew he deserved this.

No matter...he would keep at it.

The flowers were looking like a really good idea right about now.

Over halfway through her week and actual days of overtime Miranda was bored beyond her mind. She had went to the movies, she had worked out every day, went and wasted money at a casino, everything she had listed and still...she was bored.

And as much as she hated to admit it, she missed Dean.

She had kind of gotten used to seeing him most days, whether it be exchanging glances through their windows or running into each other outside by the parking lot. She even remembered meeting up with him in the laundry mat between places quite a bit...and that was before they decided to exchange more than a smile or two here and there.

She wanted to see him, and that pissed her off.

She was still watching wrestling for goodness sake, that should be enough. That and the fact that he didn't want her.

A knock at her door startled her out of her thoughts and Miranda quickly hopped up, answering with more eagerness than needed.

Her face dropped a little when all that met her was a delivery guy, decked out in his clean and nicely starched uniform.

"Delivery for…" The guy paused and looked down at the card in his hand before meeting Miranda's curious gaze. "Ms Miranda Lowell?

Miranda nodded and looked around to get a hint at what the delivery was but couldn't find a thing as the guy was only holding up a card, peering at her. He leaned off to the side and before she could even question what was going on there was a wrapped basket of an arrangement of fruit and chocolates before her. She gingerly took it, tilting it in confusion, looking back up at the guy with a raised eyebrow.

"The card should be on the inside miss and on behalf of Edible Arrangements we'd like to take the time to thank you both and ask you to please rate the quality of our service and product."

He took his leave and Miranda turned, kicking the door closed with the heel of her foot, holding the fruit and chocolate basket out a ways from her as she walked to drop it on her bar top. She sat in front of it, swiveling on her chair for a couple of minutes wondering if she should open it just yet or give it a moment…

'He didn't. Wouldn't!'

She reached over, petting at the plastic before she just decided screw it and tore into it, snatching at the card, careful to keep the pieces of the basket intact despite her haste.

Don't know how else to say sorry and please talk to me, doll. Left you messages trying to set up something and meet with you. I want you to talk to me. Anyway, I figured fruit and chocolate is good. I know you like to keep that hot bod of yours in shape and you just can't go wrong with fruit, the chocolate is just an added bonus. Despite what you think, I really am sorry. Look, just message me and let me know you got this at least...and if you want, tell me to get lost.

Dean

Miranda held the card in a tight grip, blinking at it all in disbelief before letting out a choked chuckle. This guy was something else. Here he was sending out I'm sorry gifts and the two were far from a couple. They weren't even fuck buddies.

What was it about this dude?

'Well uh...I should probably let him know I got this and thank him. I'm not a complete bitch…"

Miranda: I um...I got your package, Dean...and thank you.

This was very thoughtful and sweet and it made her head hurt. Dean Ambrose was one confusing man. He was in pictures with someone else yet he was pursuing her like he wanted her.

She needed advice. Someone to tell her what to do. She couldn't avoid the problem anymore.

Scrolling through her contacts the brunette came across her work buddy and hit call.

"Charlie buddy, hi! I need a favor…"

Hazel eyes met Miranda's dark brown and the woman before her pursed her lips, looking off to the side in awkward silence. A pair of fingers twirled at the straw in her ice tea as she looked around before speaking.

"So...I'm kind of surprised you wanted to see me again. Charlie said you needed my help?"

Miranda nodded, watching as groups of people filed to and from the outside food establishment. Some taking seats, others leaving to go do whatever else.

This was awkward.

She knew it was going to be, having barely knew the girl and the threat of Charlie's affections hanging between them but she had to tough through.

She needed an unbiased opinion and calling her mom or brother with this info or even talking to Charlie was out of the question...so that left Charlie's bestie, Tracy.

She really had no one else.

"Yeah um...I'm sorry this is so out of the blue and I didn't have your number and-"

The blonde shook her head.

"Charlie sounded worried, said you sounded pretty bad. What's up?"

Miranda dared to look back at the woman and sighed.

"It's...It's about a guy."

The corner of the blonde's lip quirked up in amusement. 'Oh?!'

She was beyond intrigued now. This didn't seem to be about Charlie. She figured he would have let her know that him and Miranda had talked about something going on with them but...

"Ok, I'm gonna pause and say this is just completely weird and I had nowhere else to go so..." Miranda stopped, and was thankful their food was being delivered at that moment cause she could really use a moment to gather her thoughts.

"I'm listening," The blonde encouraged around a mouthful of fries.

"So..." Miranda took a big bite of cheeseburger. "My next door neighbor and I- well, kind of next door seeing as how he's across from me a bit, have been involved," Another pause, another bite. "Problem is for weeks, maybe months even, we skirted around each other before..."She halted wondering just how much she should divulge to this stranger, sure she barely knew her and this was what she wanted but how much of this would get back to Charlie and despite not knowing anything about this woman she rather not become the laughing stock of her and her girlfriends too. She chose her next words carefully.

"Well...things happened and we seemed to be getting close all until I got sick and it kind of went downhill. I saw him around that time, kind of hard not to but my family was in town and he has a demanding job...a very demanding job. It took me awhile to get back to him at one point and it seemed like during that time he had moved on with another female. There are pictures and rumors and he's telling me it's not what it looks like..I want to believe him, want to hear what he has to say but..."

"You just don't know if it's worth the trouble," The other woman finished for her when she trailed off embarrassingly.

"Right! And he's apologized profusely and sent me things but..."

"You're still confused," Tracy picked up her sentence for her again.

"Well..." Miranda swirled a fry in her ketchup and a deep frown marred her face as she watched the object. 'Something about this dude...I like him a lot. Like a lot-lot. More than I should. And it's just supposed to be sex..or was.'

Miranda was so lost in thought she didn't notice the other woman watching her with complete interest, her mind firing ideas at her at a thousand miles per second as she tried to figure out how to help this poor girl. She felt the need to help out a fellow sister female confused in her dating game.

She was right to come to her. She had plenty of experience in the dating field and even though she was waiting for that right guy -everyone but him knew who it was- she wasn't one to turn down fun and attention.

"You know what you need," She exclaimed, startling Miranda from her thoughts with an excited clap.

Miranda opened her mouth to speak but Tracy was on it.

"A night out!"

Miranda gave the woman a side eyed glance, her head starting to shake in the process.

"No, just hear me out!"

Her eyes were bright with excitement and Miranda was almost afraid to ask and started to question her judgement when the pretty blonde spoke again.

"They say the best remedy for break ups is to forget and move on beneath somebody else." She frowned. "Or something to that extent anyway. Come out with me tonight."

"Uh..." Miranda started to groan and was grimacing in disapproval but Tracy was adamant in suggesting a distraction.

And damn if it wasn't happening!

"See," She yelled hours later both looking about the huge club as people clung to others dancing in proactive movements while others stood off to the side talking. There was tons of people at the bar ordering drinks. Eager faces trying to bag that woman or man or grab a round of drinks for friends, their date...

Miranda, propped an elbow up behind her on the counter top as she sipped at her drink, sex on the beach, Tracy thought it was hilarious. Just had to be done, it was a way to get a little taste of one of the best things...or so she said.

The music was blaring and it wasn't so bad. She had actually dressed up for the occasion, pulled out that tan, strapless bandage flared dress she never thought she'd actually be able to use but found gorgeous and was rocking some light makeup, just a bit of color around the eyelids and some cherry flavored lip balm. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun with tendrils donning her face and she felt every bit the pretty girl, Tracy reassuring her that she looked gorgeous before they entered the club.

Tracy of course looked beautiful and it wasn't long before the guys noticed and she was getting her share of offers to dance, leaving Miranda at the bar with a wink as she watched her new friend enjoy herself.

She was just finishing up her drink and turning to the bar to grab another when a guy stepped into her eyesight.

"Hello lovely." His smile was bright and he was quite the looker. Miranda almost shied away from his attention but paused.

Hold up.

Why not? A gorgeous, looked like Cuban guy, was trying to hit on her and she should totally take advantage. He asked what she was drinking and she politely responded with a new choice, giving him a thankful smile.

The words were flowing and smiles and laughs were exchanged before the two found themselves on the dance floor together.

More drinks in and the dancing was more intimate and the giggles wouldn't stop leaving Miranda's mouth much to the delight of her male companion.

"You enjoying yourself mami?"

Miranda nodded happily, pulling the guy in, hands up on his back. She saw his eyes darken, his gaze intense, focusing on her own and he was just lowering his head when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Yeah," She asked barely turning from the guy but he was looking up at the intruder curiously.

"Hey," A slightly raspy, slurred yet still alluring voice sounded in her ear and Miranda recognized it as Tracy. "I'm gonna go ok? These two know where a good house party is a ways away and I figured why not? The more closed off the better right?" She laughed and Miranda finally turned to look at her and the two men beside her. Her eyes widened in understanding.

"Y-Yeah. Of course! You three have fun!"

Now the rational part of Miranda's brain should have alerted her, told her, her ride was leaving her and she was gonna be stranded with strangers while slightly drunk but that part of her brain was nowhere to be found right now and her new friend wanted to have fun. Who was she to stop her?

Tracy actually had the decency to look worried, staring up at the dude towering behind Miranda.

"You sure?"

"Don't worry," The guy sang out. "I'll take good care of our girl here!" He chucked and pulled her back against him. He wrapped an around her waist and started stroking at her stomach lightly. Miranda couldn't help but shiver. And the fact that this guy was "excited" didn't make it past her inebriated brain either.

Tracy gave the guy a skeptical glance and looked back at Miranda who was smiling, face flushed. She nodded animatedly in approval and Tracy reluctantly turned, wrapping her arms around the guys beside her.

Miranda waved like a smiling fool and was swept back up until the guy's arms to dance into the wee hours of the morning.

It wasn't until five am that the guy was dragging her into a cab and asking her her address. She easily told the cab driver and then the guy, Tony, was pulling her back into his arms, staring into her eyes, rubbing circles on her arm softly,whispering words of desire.

The night had been fun and while lots of drinks had been downed and close grinding had been had nothing had happened between the two except cheek and forehead kisses, a bit of wandering hands...but because it didn't go further Miranda was grateful. It seemed no matter how much liquor she had in her system she just couldn't get him off her mind.

She tried. Had really, really tried.

Before she knew it the two were up by her door, shy awkward glances were being exchanged and there were touches here and there to each other's arms, hands sliding and then Tony was moving in after Miranda had dropped her purse to move closer to him. He had nearly reached his target for the second time tonight, hands on her hips when the two felt, rather than heard a couple of bags drop beside them, heavy breathing, saw a pair of angry blue eyes.

Wait.

Angry blue eyes?

Miranda blinked, clearing her slightly blurred vision to see Dean Ambrose inches beside them, in the flesh and he looked pissed. Beyond pissed.

'Well shit.' Miranda gulped.

"Dean," She barely got out before his eyes turned from glaring daggers at Tony to narrow at Miranda.

"Yeah and the fuck is going on," He asked gesturing between the two.

Miranda was now the one in some shit…

-Sigh- These two...

Anyway, just want to stop and say thank you once more, you guys are awesome! Y'all really don't know how much your words and encouragement mean to me...like honestly, it keeps me going. Thanks for reading and still hope you enjoy. I am putting these two crazy kids through the ringer aren't I? ;)