I looked at the list I had tapped into my cellphone during my lunch break. My soup had gotten cold while I tried to structure the future. Some of the bullet points were downright depressing and others certainly hung in the air.

"A penny for them?" Nigel's voice made me jump and I tucked my phone back into the drawer under the desk.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I glowered at him, but he seemed very cheery and unphased.

"Not at all, but you looked like you were trying to plan for world peace. Made me curious." He sat down on the corner of my desk, and I was glad Miranda was in a meeting across town and not there to witness what she would no doubt interpret as an attempt on Nigel's part to interrogate me.

"How was your weekend?" he asked, making even me wonder about his agenda.

"Fine. Got some editing done." I was prepared for his question and answered him easily. "Yours?"

"Slow at first. Caught up with my shows on the Saturday." Nigel shrugged. "I did go to the park to that concert yesterday we talked about, though. Didn't see you there."

He was right. We had talked about the free soul music concert a few weeks ago, long before my very first doctor's visit. I had completely forgotten about it. Now I shrugged apologetically. "I was wrapped up with work. As I'm still expected to carry out my usual duties, I have to time manage my so-called free time so I can edit as well." The word 'time' had me so conditioned after working for Miranda for years, I automatically checked my smartwatch for the time, and to see if Roy had texted me. Miranda should be another hour at her meeting, but you just never knew.

"It was good, but a bit too cold. If they do this again in the summer, we should go." Nigel got up and looked like he was about to leave when he suddenly turned. "I meant to ask how you're doing?"

Another question I had anticipated. "According to my doctor, it was not melanoma, but something that they usually get sorted by removing the spot and the surrounding tissues. I'm getting a second opinion to make sure." I smiled again. This time it was harder. I was still not sure about the doctor at the clinic I had gone to, and Miranda had asked me to wait until she'd talked to 'someone she knew' before I found another one. No doubt she was going to suggest a private doctor that I wouldn't be able to afford, and insist on paying, but if that was what it took to reassure the both of us, I was prepared to let her.

"Oh, Six," Nigel said and rounded the desk and pulled me into his arms. "Miranda knows, right?"

"Um. Yes?" I hadn't expected that particular question. "She's being very supportive."

"Then let her continue with that. You're precious to us." He kissed my temple and then gave a quick wave and left the office.

I sat down slowly, trying to figure out what he might have meant with his last remark.

Being alone in the office all afternoon as Miranda had sent Moira out for a marathon of clothes runs, I finished going through the latest emails, made sure Miranda's receipts from the weekend were entered into the system without showing that she brought a, ahem, friend. Once that was done and the phone kept quiet, I plucked my cell from its drawer and pulled up my list.

Parents

Doctor – second opinion.

Twins' father.

Studio apartment – going back? Staying how long at the townhouse?

New job? HR? Apply outside of EC?

How to talk to M about money?

Tell Doug?

I was sure I could easily have added tons of subcategories to each bullet point, but as I was the only one reading this list, I didn't have to. I knew all too well which ones of them were the hardest, most complicated. I wasn't sure how to deal with my parents—not even how to begin. There were a lot they didn't know, and then there was also a lot we didn't see eye-to-eye on. Anyone else might have thought the second opinion regarding my health situation was equally complicated, but even if I was still uneasy about it all, it was pretty straightforward. Miranda had made certain that I promised to involve her, so that was what I was going to do.

When it came to Miranda's and my relationship, the twins were a potential landmine. I loved Miranda's girls, and I knew they had seemed all right with their mother spending time with me. What worried me was how her asshole first husband, James, might use Miranda's new situation against her. The girls were still with him as Miranda had had to go to Chicago, but they were coming home on Tuesday. I should make sure I was out of sight if it was him dropping them off. Sometimes Roy would fetch them, which Miranda preferred.

My studio apartment was another point which was hard to bring up with Miranda. I knew she would just expect me to stay on at the townhouse, and she might not even remember that I already had a home. The few times I had hinted at returning there, she had turned quite thunderous. This tied into the question about money. I didn't make a lot of money. That was the truth of it. I made more than I did as a second assistant, but I was not even on the same financial planet as Miranda. Bringing that up was super cringey just to think about, but we would have to. It wasn't even a matter of stupid pride. It was about being honorable and fair. I was not a freeloader.

Telling Doug was a no-brainer, but the thing was that he was not in New York, but amid a temporary assignment in California, and I didn't feel comfortable telling him over the phone. It was perhaps illogical, but I needed to be in the same room as my best friend when I told him about Miranda. I didn't doubt he would understand, but he was protective, and telling him about Miranda meant telling him I'd had a health scare. I scratched my head but decided that this was something I could discuss with Miranda.

Then there was the not-so-small thing that was my professional future. How long could I be Miranda's assistant? Each day I stayed at the townhouse and still worked directly for her, was dangerous for her—and for me. There was no other way around it. I had options, I knew this. I could remain at Elias-Clarke, even at Runway, but under another boss. I could also venture out, spread my wings, and work for another publication altogether. This was also something I could, and should, talk to Miranda about, but I knew it would be yet another minefield and it stressed me out just thinking about it. Was there perhaps a way to register us at HR sort of on the down-low? Probably not. Perhaps Leslie had some ideas if Miranda was open to bringing her publicist on board. She was as sharp as they came.

"Andrea." Miranda's voice made me jump and I dropped my cell back into its drawer.

"Miranda. I didn't see Roy's text. I'm sorry—"

"He didn't send one as I just stopped by to fetch my laptop." Miranda glanced at the corridor that was quiet as it was after hours. I was still expecting Moira to return, but that was it. Miranda bent and kissed me lightly on the lips. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"You've conditioned me well." I crinkled my nose. "I can feel pencils and notepads grow from my hands like spare protruding body parts as soon as you say my name when we're in the office."

Miranda blinked and then she smirked. "Is that so?" She rapped her nails against my desk. "Interesting. I can list a few other protruding body parts that grow when I say your name-at home."

I blinked, unable to fathom that she would say something like that in the office, after hours or not. "Miranda!" I covered my eyes but couldn't keep from laughing.

"I'm sorry you have to wait for the Book tonight, but it shouldn't be too late." Miranda walked into her office and retrieved her laptop. Returning to my desk, she stood in silence for a few moments, making me feel as if she was bracing herself. "I told the team they should have it at your desk at eight, or they would have to deliver it to the townhouse themselves. And if that were the case, I wouldn't be pleased." She tilted her head. "I'm sending Roy for you at ten past eight, all right?"

Pick your fights, I told myself. I had spent so many evenings waiting for the book and going home to my apartment via the subway, it didn't bother me too much that Miranda wanted to send Roy. At least he got to go home earlier too.

"The drycleaning is always ready a lot earlier, so that works." I stood and walked over to her. A quick glance—and a listen—toward the corridor, reassured me no clackers, or Moira, were heading our way. I ran the back of my curled fingers along Miranda's cheek. "See you at home, then," I whispered.

"Yes." Miranda's eyes darkened and I wondered what she was thinking.

"I think you spoiled me when you had the Book digitally delivered." I shrugged and wanted nothing but to hold her in a full-body embrace.

"I think I spoiled me too." Miranda grimaced. "I'm sorry. I wish I could work like that, but it's not the same. I'm used to my analogue workflow—"

"—Shhh. I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted you to know that I will miss you until I walk through the door." I took a chance and softly pushed at the worry-frown between her eyebrows with my thumb. "I can't wait. It will be all the sweeter."

Miranda's expression softened and her eyes took on a nearly blue-green, soft hue. I wasn't sure how her eyes could shift shade like they did, but it was something I would never grow tired of observing. "I better go. I have one more stop before I go home," Miranda said.

"Try to put your feet up a bit when you do get home before I come with even more work for you—" I stopped talking and quickly returned to my chair since I heard rapid footfalls in the corridor.

"New girl." Miranda rolled her eyes. "That's my cue." She stepped to the side of the door leading to the corridor, which was smart as Moira skidded into the office, looking like a walking clothes hanger.

"Miranda! You're still here. Andy…help!" Moira looked like she was about to topple over, her arms flailing madly, which made the multitude of garment bags flutter around the room. I threw myself around my desk just in time to catch the much taller Moira before she ended up on her ass on the floor.

Miranda watched us with wide eyes, and I glared at her for not helping when the slippery clothes bags were impossible to get a grip of. She merely shook her head and said, "Good evening. That's all."

When I managed to stabilize Moira and free her from the remainder of the bags, we sorted and hung them on the rack inside the door. Moira looked at me with a shocked expression in her eyes. "Did you hear that? Before she left? Miranda said 'good evening'. Maybe I'm not fired in the morning?"

I remembered how that was my line so often in the early days, Ready to burst out laughing again, it dawned on me, it could have been my line as last as a few weeks ago.

###

The downstairs floor was faintly lit from the den. I had just kicked off my boots and tucked them to the side on the tray meant for such footwear, and was unbuttoning my coat, when I called out Miranda's name. At first, I couldn't hear anything, but just as I closed the door to the closet in the foyer, and picked up the Book again, I heard quick footfalls from the second floor.

I looked up and saw Miranda rush down the stairs at a breakneck speed. Concerned at how dangerous her pace looked, I merely stood frozen in place, half expecting her to fall. When she didn't slow down as she hurtled toward me, I dropped the Book onto the closest surface and put my hands up to receive her.

Miranda gripped me by the shoulders and her momentum propelled me backward, making me end up pressed against the door with a muted thud. I tried to decipher her expression, but the foyer was on mood light only and I couldn't see properly.

"Hey," I began, but she silenced me with her lip in a near-bruising kiss. She slid her hands down my arms and took my hands and placed them around her waist. Deepening the kiss, she hummed and made several all-new delicious sounds into my mouth. I was perhaps a few moments late to this particular party, but her onslaught, because that was what it was, ignited me and I pulled her closer.

Miranda kept kissing me as if she'd starved for this all day, and perhaps she had. I knew the non-productive paths my thoughts had taken on several occasions. She tugged my top out of my black pants and shoved her hands inside and spread her fingers as if she were trying to cover as much of my skin as possible.

When we had to come up for more air, she changed her grip of me and made me pivot. Now facing the door, I felt her unbutton my pants and unzipped them. She pushed them down over my hips and I felt them fall onto the floor around my sock-clad feet. I had lost my grip of her, as I was trying to keep my balance and now, I pressed both hands against the cool surface of the door, while tipping my head back.

"Miranda?" I managed to murmur. My entire being was filled with smoldering embers, and my lace briefs become entirely drenched. Miranda cupped my breasts and rolled my nipples with the perfect pressure.

"You took your sweet time getting here," Miranda muttered as she pressed herself against my ass.

"It took fifteen minutes. Record speed. What the hell did you tell Roy? I feared for my life."

"I told him he would fear for his unless he brought you home quickly." Miranda growled and moved her hands back to my hips and pushed down my briefs. I kicked them off as they felt too coarse against my sensitive skin.

"God. What must he think?" I whimpered when Miranda moved to stand to my left.

"Keep your hands on the door," she ordered, and I didn't have a choice. I was starting to get dizzy.

Miranda slipped her left hand in between my legs from behind. Using the fingers of her right hand, she began circling my clit, so softly, I was ready to howl. "Now, you just stand there. I have waited for this all day. You know how I loathe waiting."

"You loathe waiting?" I turned my head and captured her lips in yet another searing kiss. It was rather fulfilling how it was her turn to whimper. "I sat at that desk and waited for the Book, or I could have already been here."

"True. But you're here now and I feel I have to show you just what you were missing when you were carrying out your duties at work." Miranda nibbled at my neck as she entered me from behind and caressed me from the front. Her voice sank half an octave. "This good, darling?"

"Good? Are you crazy?" I leaned against my weakening arms. "You're going to make me come far too fast…" My legs trembled and I feared I might not be able to remain on my feet.

"Then come, Andrea." Miranda added another finger to the two already inside me and the tension pushed me over the edge. I threw my head back and cried out when the orgasm tore at me, and I got visions of the pleasure molding me, reshaping me. This woman had already ruined me for anyone else, I knew that, and as a second orgasm fluttered between my legs and down my thighs, the words exploded from my lips.

"Oh, God, Miranda. I…I love you. I love you…so much."
_

Continued in part 19.