It's All Relative 25
It’s All Relative 25
Author: hawkbehere (hawkbehere2@yahoo.com)
Rated PG
Summary: More par-tay.
A/N: My enduring love to Rosemary for the once over. All mistakes are mine. Love to Z and to Martha as well.
***
Lily was playing nice and doing the meeting and greeting but she pulled Andy aside as soon as she could and forced her to take a seat. “Spill, bitch. Look at that ring!”
Andy smiled shyly, “I got engaged.”
“Well…uh. Yeah. No shit-let’s hear it!”
Andy lowered her voice, “It was about the least romantic proposal you could possibly imagine.”
“No way-I’d be thinking she’d pull out the stops.”
“Yeah, you’d think so but…uh…not.” Andy gave an abbreviated version of the event and Lily’s eyes popped. “That girl didn’t even really ask you and you said yes?”
“No. Well. Yeah. I mean she did ask me but I sort of had to force her to.”
“She’s a head-case, Andy. You know that right?”
Andy looked at Miranda who was, for some reason, play-punching with Carlo, “I know. But she’s my head-case.” She took a deep breath and smiled at Lily. “I love her, Lily. I mean I love her like you love someone you would do anything to be lucky enough to marry.”
Lily looked at her friend, someone she’d known nearly all of their lives. She thought about their lives in New York. She and Andy and Doug and Nate had been kids-kids with all the things that seemed grown up-jobs and apartments and drinking and partying and sex. But still kids. And she’d been angry, so very angry, about Nate but this was not the same woman she was seeing. This was a grown up. Her friend had become an adult and that was sort of hard to wrap her mind around because it certainly and suddenly seemed to mean she needed to grow up, too.
She hugged Andy, “I’m so happy for you and that’s a hell of a ring.”
Andy looked down and her dark hair fell into her face, “I know. It’s almost embarrassing.”
Lily raised her hands and pushed Andy’s hair behind her ears. “It’s not embarrassing, sweetie. It tells you what you mean to the person who loves you best. You can look at it all the time and know someone loves you, can’t you?”
Andy’s lower lip poked out a bit and Lily said, “Don’t do it, Sachs! No crying. Let’s talk about baseball or something.”
Andy laughed, “Exactly! How ‘bout those Yankees?”
***
Doug could see Lily and Andy were having one of those girl moments men were fools to interrupt so he sidled up to Nigel and asked as he looked at Miranda, who still seemed slightly surreal to him even though he was in her yard, for God’s sake. “Nigel? Is this normal for…her? I mean, you know, the grilling and games and the kids and stuff?”
Nigel took a long pull from his beer. “No. This is completely absurd. For her. All of this-all of it-is Andy.”
His face was so serious that Doug asked, “Is that bad?”
Nigel glanced at Doug and then at Miranda who was laughing at something Wanda was saying, “Do you know what it means to see Miranda happy? If even for a second?”
Doug shook his head.
“Do you pray?”
“Pray?”
“Yes-I’m sure you’ve heard the term. As in God and all that.”
“Yes. Sure. Sometimes.”
“Look at Miranda. Just look at her. She’s happy. That, Douglas, is the answer to a prayer. God does answer them, you know. Want another beer?”
“Sure. But Nigel?”
“Yes?
“Who was praying?”
Nigel winked at him. “Only God knows, right? I like that about Him.”
***
The food was marvelous and Magdalena scowled as people heaped praises on her.
“What-it was meat and vegetables. I’m too old not to know how to cook at least these things. It’s not a baked Alaska, is it?”
“Oh, c’mon, Maggie-you could make a mean baked Alaska.”
“In this household, Caroline? With what? The sugar-free this, the fat-free that? I work like a coal miner to get a dessert into you every few weeks.”
“That’s mom’s fault, right Mom?”
“That’s right, dear. I believe desserts are perfectly lovely in moderation and tonight we will enjoy homemade ice cream,” she glowered at Magdalena, “which is decidedly full of fat and sugar, but only after I slaughter a few people at volleyball.”
“Oh dear,” Nigel said, “Is that an order to lose?”
Miranda’s smile was feral. “Oh no-that’s an order to try to win if you can. Men first.”
“Fine. I already have dibs on Carlo-so Richard, Sam? You want to play?”
“Let’s do it.”
Wanda smirked as Carlo began to do some very vigorous warming up stretches and as Nigel took his sweater off. Andy rolled her eyes as she watched him carefully folding it.
He caught her at it and said, “You don’t just ball up cashmere and throw it on the ground, Six. Or maybe you do-that would explain a lot.”
“Are you kidding? Like I could ball up clothing in this house.”
“You could ball up that atrocious sweatshirt, darling.”
“Actually, Miranda, I already did that-along with that miserable robe of yours.”
“You did not.”
“Did too, sweetheart. My sweatshirt and the robe of doom are happily balled up together.”
“That’s almost romantic in a very Andrea sort of way.”
“Well, you know me. Ms. Romance.”
Miranda surprised her by pulling her into a hug and kissing her.
“Oh God, mush alert.” Cassidy said. Caroline giggled and said, “My eyes-they burn.”
Emily took a sip of her beer. “I know exactly how you feel, Caroline.”
“Emily! You finally figured out which one of us is which.”
“Oh please. I’ve always known. I just liked irritating you.”
Cassidy asked, “Really?”
“Of course.”
“That’s sort of cool, actually.”
“I’m a complete well of coolness. Ask Serena.”
“She is coolness personified-which is not to say frigid, you understand.”
Cassidy cackled, “My ears! They bleed.”
Serena stared at the children, “You’re entirely too grown up for your own good.”
“Mom’s fault.”
Miranda pulled away from Andy to ask, “What am I being blamed for now?”
“Nothing,” the twins said in unison.
****
Nigel, despite his somewhat effete demeanor at Runway, turned out to be somewhat alarmingly agile and a ferocious competitor. He was well matched with Carlo and even Andy and Audrey had to laugh as they blistered Richard and Sam.
Actually, even Sam had to laugh as they were completely punished despite their wildest efforts, “You guys are fu-effin’ machines.”
Serena, who was standing next to Miranda, said, “This is like watching testosterone on acid.”
“Have we taken the acid or have they?”
“Both probably. Next the children play and then you realize you and Andy will have to play me and Emily.”
“Yes.”
“We will beat you. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Miranda tilted her head and said, “You can try.”
“I will succeed.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No. You’ve already extorted the photo shoot. That’s the only thing I’d put on the table but I know it’d break your heart to lose it so I won’t.”
Miranda stared at her as if she’d never seen her. “What on Earth would make you say that?”
Serena shrugged, “Don’t misunderstand me. I know you do not want me in the physical way. But you certainly want me and you’ll have me exactly once. I won’t take that away from you but I will beat you at volleyball.” She leaned far into Miranda’s personal space, “Count on it.”
Miranda blushed so ferociously that Andy, who’d happened to look at Miranda as she was cheering her losing loved ones looked at her quizzically. Miranda smiled vaguely and turned away.
***
After the Sachs men had been dispatched by the Nigel/Carlo force of nature, there was a bit of trouble deciding who would be the fourth kid. Doug and Lily flipped a coin for it and Doug it was. Lily laughed and said, “Thank God. I don’t like sweating at parties that don’t involve….never mind. It’s all yours.”
“Okay-Juan Carlo? Me and you against the terrible twosome.”
Juan Carlo shook his head, “No, Mr. Doug. It is not fair. We are men and we should each have a woman on our team.”
Doug did a manly job of not laughing at the boy’s description of himself and the girls. “You do realize those two can probably kick our butts, right?”
“Of course-but at least it will seem fair. I think it’s the good thing to do. I know my papi would think so.”
“Caroline? Cassidy? Choose between us. I have nothing but sheer lack of athletic ability on my side. Juan Carlo, on the other hand, is very handsome and looks like a fierce competitor.”
Caroline rolled her eyes, “I’ll take you, Doug.”
Cassidy smiled at Caroline and whispered, “You’re such a sucker.”
Caroline whispered even more quietly, “For you? Yeah.”
“GAME ON!” Doug boomed.
He turned out to be as abysmal as he’d said he was and although they were losing horribly, Caroline couldn’t even hold it against him. At one point she asked him, “Dude, did you ever play anything before today? I mean, like, ever?”
“I’ve been told I play a mean game of checkers.”
Caroline pointed at Cassidy and laughed, “You so owe me big time.”
***
After that match went by and wildly quickly, it was time for what everyone knew was the real showdown.
Emily sniffed as she looked Andy over, “We’ll be finished in no time, don’t you think?”
“You will.”
“It must be lovely to live in a dream world.”
Andy waved at the terrace, the house. “Oh wait-I do actually live here.”
Emily glowered at her.
“Stop being a brat, Em. It gives you wrinkles.”
At this, Emily actually looked a bit startled which made Andy snicker, “You’re so easy. Don’t worry. You’re perfectly lovely, Em.”
“Sometimes I don’t know what’s wrong with you.”
Andy took a seat next to the woman and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Why? Why all this? Why invite me? I know it’s you-it’s not Miranda. I don’t like you. I can barely stand you and you know it.”
Andy shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve just always, always liked you. I can’t help it.”
She patted Emily on the shoulder. “Just one of those mysteries of life, I guess. You’ll have to get used to it. I have.”
She leaned in and lowered her voice, “Maybe we’re just ill-fated to always be in each others’ lives. It happens. I mean-I’ve read books where it happens. Haven’t you?”
“Oh for God’s sake. Anything but that. Not fate.”
“Fate? Maybe. Volleyball? Definitely. Get ready to get served, Charlton.”
“Please. Have you seen Serena?”
“Yeah, tallish, Brazilian, hot?”
“Exactly. The serving will be all yours.”
The first serving for the men, and even the women, was the fact that Serena took off her sweatshirt. She was wearing a perfectly respectable sports tank but Sam ran his hands through his hair even as his dad did the same thing.
“That’s counts for about five points right there, Dad.”
“I’m not supposed to notice that.”
“I’ll notice for you.”
“Thank you.”
Serena smiled sweetly at Miranda as she did a few stretches.
Andy whispered, “Don’t let her rattle you.”
Miranda hissed, “What do you mean?”
“Hello!,” Andy hissed right back, “She’s fucking hotter than hell and she knows you have that thing about her.”
“I do not have a thing.”
“You so have a thing it’s not even funny. Keep your mind on the game.”
“My mind is on the game.”
“Your mind is on putting her in some fucking vintage Valentino or some such shit. Eyes on the prize, sweetheart. Photo fantasy later.”
Miranda glared at Andy, who merely raised her eyebrows, which pretty much meant “Am I wrong?”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
The game was surprisingly even, although Serena’s height gave her a great spiking advantage. Emily and Andy were so determined not to lose to the other that they were demons of energy. The surprising player was Miranda who, despite being twice her opponents and partner’s ages was more aggressive, faster and brutal than any of the spectators could believe. The match was completely tied and came down to match point.
Serena served and they had a long volley before Serena leaped into the air and spiked the ball to the far side of the grass. Miranda threw herself like an Olympian to reach it but only tipped it and hit the ground so hard that everyone gasped. She was face down on the ground and Andy reached for her but Emily was there before she could actually touch her. She slapped at Andy’s hands and said, “Don’t touch her. Don’t you fucking touch her!”
Everyone was watching with concern but the look on Emily’s face was one of sheer terror. As Andy moved to help, Serena grabbed her and said quietly. “No. Let her. Please.”
Emily gently touched Miranda’s back and said, “Miranda, don’t move. Do not move. Can you hear me?”
There was a muffled, “Of course I can hear you. We lost didn’t we?”
“That doesn’t matter. She touched Miranda’s arms and legs. “Can you feel me touching you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Can you move your arms for me?” Miranda did so. “Your legs?” Miranda dutifully wiggled them.
“Oh thank God. I think you can turn over now.”
Miranda turned over and saw the look in Emily’s tear-filled eyes and remembered it. When she was shot-that was exactly the look she’d seen. Terror.
She said loudly to her guests, “I’m fine, everyone.” She lowered her voice and said, “I’m sorry I scared you, Emily.”
“What on Earth were you thinking?”
“I wanted to win.”
“You’re 50 years old, Miranda-you’re not a football player. That was insane.”
“But I wanted to win.”
Emily whispered, “I rather you lose than lose you.”
Miranda reached up and touched Emily’s face. “Emily. My only Emily. Help me up and let’s get some ice cream, okay?”
Emily pulled her up and Miranda looked sheepishly at her guests. “Sorry-but you know what they say. It’s not a party until the hostess is face down on the ground.”
Magdalena, whose heart had been in her throat, shouted, “I must get the large ice pack for you, I am thinking.”
“I’m not hurt.”
“Oh-it’s for your pride-the biggest part on you.”
Andy chuckled, then hugged Miranda and kissed her cheek. Serena patted her on the back. “I told you I’d win.”
“My God, I could have been terribly injured and you’re already gloating?”
“Would you do any differently?”
Miranda thought about it. “I’d have been gloating while you were still on the ground.”
“Great minds.”
Andy held onto Miranda as they crossed to the table.
“Balenciaga, Serena.”
“Oh? So you have decided? Andy? Your fiancée is refreshing. To be frank, most people undress me with their eyes. She is the only person I’ve ever met who constantly dresses me with her eyes.”
NEXT CHAPTER
Author: hawkbehere (hawkbehere2@yahoo.com)
Rated PG
Summary: More par-tay.
A/N: My enduring love to Rosemary for the once over. All mistakes are mine. Love to Z and to Martha as well.
***
Lily was playing nice and doing the meeting and greeting but she pulled Andy aside as soon as she could and forced her to take a seat. “Spill, bitch. Look at that ring!”
Andy smiled shyly, “I got engaged.”
“Well…uh. Yeah. No shit-let’s hear it!”
Andy lowered her voice, “It was about the least romantic proposal you could possibly imagine.”
“No way-I’d be thinking she’d pull out the stops.”
“Yeah, you’d think so but…uh…not.” Andy gave an abbreviated version of the event and Lily’s eyes popped. “That girl didn’t even really ask you and you said yes?”
“No. Well. Yeah. I mean she did ask me but I sort of had to force her to.”
“She’s a head-case, Andy. You know that right?”
Andy looked at Miranda who was, for some reason, play-punching with Carlo, “I know. But she’s my head-case.” She took a deep breath and smiled at Lily. “I love her, Lily. I mean I love her like you love someone you would do anything to be lucky enough to marry.”
Lily looked at her friend, someone she’d known nearly all of their lives. She thought about their lives in New York. She and Andy and Doug and Nate had been kids-kids with all the things that seemed grown up-jobs and apartments and drinking and partying and sex. But still kids. And she’d been angry, so very angry, about Nate but this was not the same woman she was seeing. This was a grown up. Her friend had become an adult and that was sort of hard to wrap her mind around because it certainly and suddenly seemed to mean she needed to grow up, too.
She hugged Andy, “I’m so happy for you and that’s a hell of a ring.”
Andy looked down and her dark hair fell into her face, “I know. It’s almost embarrassing.”
Lily raised her hands and pushed Andy’s hair behind her ears. “It’s not embarrassing, sweetie. It tells you what you mean to the person who loves you best. You can look at it all the time and know someone loves you, can’t you?”
Andy’s lower lip poked out a bit and Lily said, “Don’t do it, Sachs! No crying. Let’s talk about baseball or something.”
Andy laughed, “Exactly! How ‘bout those Yankees?”
***
Doug could see Lily and Andy were having one of those girl moments men were fools to interrupt so he sidled up to Nigel and asked as he looked at Miranda, who still seemed slightly surreal to him even though he was in her yard, for God’s sake. “Nigel? Is this normal for…her? I mean, you know, the grilling and games and the kids and stuff?”
Nigel took a long pull from his beer. “No. This is completely absurd. For her. All of this-all of it-is Andy.”
His face was so serious that Doug asked, “Is that bad?”
Nigel glanced at Doug and then at Miranda who was laughing at something Wanda was saying, “Do you know what it means to see Miranda happy? If even for a second?”
Doug shook his head.
“Do you pray?”
“Pray?”
“Yes-I’m sure you’ve heard the term. As in God and all that.”
“Yes. Sure. Sometimes.”
“Look at Miranda. Just look at her. She’s happy. That, Douglas, is the answer to a prayer. God does answer them, you know. Want another beer?”
“Sure. But Nigel?”
“Yes?
“Who was praying?”
Nigel winked at him. “Only God knows, right? I like that about Him.”
***
The food was marvelous and Magdalena scowled as people heaped praises on her.
“What-it was meat and vegetables. I’m too old not to know how to cook at least these things. It’s not a baked Alaska, is it?”
“Oh, c’mon, Maggie-you could make a mean baked Alaska.”
“In this household, Caroline? With what? The sugar-free this, the fat-free that? I work like a coal miner to get a dessert into you every few weeks.”
“That’s mom’s fault, right Mom?”
“That’s right, dear. I believe desserts are perfectly lovely in moderation and tonight we will enjoy homemade ice cream,” she glowered at Magdalena, “which is decidedly full of fat and sugar, but only after I slaughter a few people at volleyball.”
“Oh dear,” Nigel said, “Is that an order to lose?”
Miranda’s smile was feral. “Oh no-that’s an order to try to win if you can. Men first.”
“Fine. I already have dibs on Carlo-so Richard, Sam? You want to play?”
“Let’s do it.”
Wanda smirked as Carlo began to do some very vigorous warming up stretches and as Nigel took his sweater off. Andy rolled her eyes as she watched him carefully folding it.
He caught her at it and said, “You don’t just ball up cashmere and throw it on the ground, Six. Or maybe you do-that would explain a lot.”
“Are you kidding? Like I could ball up clothing in this house.”
“You could ball up that atrocious sweatshirt, darling.”
“Actually, Miranda, I already did that-along with that miserable robe of yours.”
“You did not.”
“Did too, sweetheart. My sweatshirt and the robe of doom are happily balled up together.”
“That’s almost romantic in a very Andrea sort of way.”
“Well, you know me. Ms. Romance.”
Miranda surprised her by pulling her into a hug and kissing her.
“Oh God, mush alert.” Cassidy said. Caroline giggled and said, “My eyes-they burn.”
Emily took a sip of her beer. “I know exactly how you feel, Caroline.”
“Emily! You finally figured out which one of us is which.”
“Oh please. I’ve always known. I just liked irritating you.”
Cassidy asked, “Really?”
“Of course.”
“That’s sort of cool, actually.”
“I’m a complete well of coolness. Ask Serena.”
“She is coolness personified-which is not to say frigid, you understand.”
Cassidy cackled, “My ears! They bleed.”
Serena stared at the children, “You’re entirely too grown up for your own good.”
“Mom’s fault.”
Miranda pulled away from Andy to ask, “What am I being blamed for now?”
“Nothing,” the twins said in unison.
****
Nigel, despite his somewhat effete demeanor at Runway, turned out to be somewhat alarmingly agile and a ferocious competitor. He was well matched with Carlo and even Andy and Audrey had to laugh as they blistered Richard and Sam.
Actually, even Sam had to laugh as they were completely punished despite their wildest efforts, “You guys are fu-effin’ machines.”
Serena, who was standing next to Miranda, said, “This is like watching testosterone on acid.”
“Have we taken the acid or have they?”
“Both probably. Next the children play and then you realize you and Andy will have to play me and Emily.”
“Yes.”
“We will beat you. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Miranda tilted her head and said, “You can try.”
“I will succeed.”
“Wanna bet?”
“No. You’ve already extorted the photo shoot. That’s the only thing I’d put on the table but I know it’d break your heart to lose it so I won’t.”
Miranda stared at her as if she’d never seen her. “What on Earth would make you say that?”
Serena shrugged, “Don’t misunderstand me. I know you do not want me in the physical way. But you certainly want me and you’ll have me exactly once. I won’t take that away from you but I will beat you at volleyball.” She leaned far into Miranda’s personal space, “Count on it.”
Miranda blushed so ferociously that Andy, who’d happened to look at Miranda as she was cheering her losing loved ones looked at her quizzically. Miranda smiled vaguely and turned away.
***
After the Sachs men had been dispatched by the Nigel/Carlo force of nature, there was a bit of trouble deciding who would be the fourth kid. Doug and Lily flipped a coin for it and Doug it was. Lily laughed and said, “Thank God. I don’t like sweating at parties that don’t involve….never mind. It’s all yours.”
“Okay-Juan Carlo? Me and you against the terrible twosome.”
Juan Carlo shook his head, “No, Mr. Doug. It is not fair. We are men and we should each have a woman on our team.”
Doug did a manly job of not laughing at the boy’s description of himself and the girls. “You do realize those two can probably kick our butts, right?”
“Of course-but at least it will seem fair. I think it’s the good thing to do. I know my papi would think so.”
“Caroline? Cassidy? Choose between us. I have nothing but sheer lack of athletic ability on my side. Juan Carlo, on the other hand, is very handsome and looks like a fierce competitor.”
Caroline rolled her eyes, “I’ll take you, Doug.”
Cassidy smiled at Caroline and whispered, “You’re such a sucker.”
Caroline whispered even more quietly, “For you? Yeah.”
“GAME ON!” Doug boomed.
He turned out to be as abysmal as he’d said he was and although they were losing horribly, Caroline couldn’t even hold it against him. At one point she asked him, “Dude, did you ever play anything before today? I mean, like, ever?”
“I’ve been told I play a mean game of checkers.”
Caroline pointed at Cassidy and laughed, “You so owe me big time.”
***
After that match went by and wildly quickly, it was time for what everyone knew was the real showdown.
Emily sniffed as she looked Andy over, “We’ll be finished in no time, don’t you think?”
“You will.”
“It must be lovely to live in a dream world.”
Andy waved at the terrace, the house. “Oh wait-I do actually live here.”
Emily glowered at her.
“Stop being a brat, Em. It gives you wrinkles.”
At this, Emily actually looked a bit startled which made Andy snicker, “You’re so easy. Don’t worry. You’re perfectly lovely, Em.”
“Sometimes I don’t know what’s wrong with you.”
Andy took a seat next to the woman and asked, “What do you mean?”
“Why? Why all this? Why invite me? I know it’s you-it’s not Miranda. I don’t like you. I can barely stand you and you know it.”
Andy shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve just always, always liked you. I can’t help it.”
She patted Emily on the shoulder. “Just one of those mysteries of life, I guess. You’ll have to get used to it. I have.”
She leaned in and lowered her voice, “Maybe we’re just ill-fated to always be in each others’ lives. It happens. I mean-I’ve read books where it happens. Haven’t you?”
“Oh for God’s sake. Anything but that. Not fate.”
“Fate? Maybe. Volleyball? Definitely. Get ready to get served, Charlton.”
“Please. Have you seen Serena?”
“Yeah, tallish, Brazilian, hot?”
“Exactly. The serving will be all yours.”
The first serving for the men, and even the women, was the fact that Serena took off her sweatshirt. She was wearing a perfectly respectable sports tank but Sam ran his hands through his hair even as his dad did the same thing.
“That’s counts for about five points right there, Dad.”
“I’m not supposed to notice that.”
“I’ll notice for you.”
“Thank you.”
Serena smiled sweetly at Miranda as she did a few stretches.
Andy whispered, “Don’t let her rattle you.”
Miranda hissed, “What do you mean?”
“Hello!,” Andy hissed right back, “She’s fucking hotter than hell and she knows you have that thing about her.”
“I do not have a thing.”
“You so have a thing it’s not even funny. Keep your mind on the game.”
“My mind is on the game.”
“Your mind is on putting her in some fucking vintage Valentino or some such shit. Eyes on the prize, sweetheart. Photo fantasy later.”
Miranda glared at Andy, who merely raised her eyebrows, which pretty much meant “Am I wrong?”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
The game was surprisingly even, although Serena’s height gave her a great spiking advantage. Emily and Andy were so determined not to lose to the other that they were demons of energy. The surprising player was Miranda who, despite being twice her opponents and partner’s ages was more aggressive, faster and brutal than any of the spectators could believe. The match was completely tied and came down to match point.
Serena served and they had a long volley before Serena leaped into the air and spiked the ball to the far side of the grass. Miranda threw herself like an Olympian to reach it but only tipped it and hit the ground so hard that everyone gasped. She was face down on the ground and Andy reached for her but Emily was there before she could actually touch her. She slapped at Andy’s hands and said, “Don’t touch her. Don’t you fucking touch her!”
Everyone was watching with concern but the look on Emily’s face was one of sheer terror. As Andy moved to help, Serena grabbed her and said quietly. “No. Let her. Please.”
Emily gently touched Miranda’s back and said, “Miranda, don’t move. Do not move. Can you hear me?”
There was a muffled, “Of course I can hear you. We lost didn’t we?”
“That doesn’t matter. She touched Miranda’s arms and legs. “Can you feel me touching you?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Can you move your arms for me?” Miranda did so. “Your legs?” Miranda dutifully wiggled them.
“Oh thank God. I think you can turn over now.”
Miranda turned over and saw the look in Emily’s tear-filled eyes and remembered it. When she was shot-that was exactly the look she’d seen. Terror.
She said loudly to her guests, “I’m fine, everyone.” She lowered her voice and said, “I’m sorry I scared you, Emily.”
“What on Earth were you thinking?”
“I wanted to win.”
“You’re 50 years old, Miranda-you’re not a football player. That was insane.”
“But I wanted to win.”
Emily whispered, “I rather you lose than lose you.”
Miranda reached up and touched Emily’s face. “Emily. My only Emily. Help me up and let’s get some ice cream, okay?”
Emily pulled her up and Miranda looked sheepishly at her guests. “Sorry-but you know what they say. It’s not a party until the hostess is face down on the ground.”
Magdalena, whose heart had been in her throat, shouted, “I must get the large ice pack for you, I am thinking.”
“I’m not hurt.”
“Oh-it’s for your pride-the biggest part on you.”
Andy chuckled, then hugged Miranda and kissed her cheek. Serena patted her on the back. “I told you I’d win.”
“My God, I could have been terribly injured and you’re already gloating?”
“Would you do any differently?”
Miranda thought about it. “I’d have been gloating while you were still on the ground.”
“Great minds.”
Andy held onto Miranda as they crossed to the table.
“Balenciaga, Serena.”
“Oh? So you have decided? Andy? Your fiancée is refreshing. To be frank, most people undress me with their eyes. She is the only person I’ve ever met who constantly dresses me with her eyes.”
NEXT CHAPTER