Chapter Text
“Have you fallen and hit your pretty little head?” Miranda spared a quick glance over her shoulder and then she returned to staring out her office window at the beautiful New York City skyline.
“That wasn’t amusing the first time you said it, and it isn’t this time either,” Andy replied. Her hands were firmly planted on her hips and a mini scowl graced her face.
Miranda turned and looked at the reporter. Her eyebrows rose as she took in Andy’s demeanor. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was supposed to be amusing.” She mockingly placed one hand over her heart. “I apologize.” The editor held up one hand to stop any reply Andy was going to make. “Let me see.” She then crossed her arms and pursed her lips in thought.
Andy took a second to glance around the office and try to get her emotions under control. After all this time, it still miffed her whenever Miranda dismissed her without giving her a chance to explain. “Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have started the conversation the way I did,” Andy admitted to herself. She jumped in startlement when she heard the fingers snap and her gaze immediately returned to the older woman.
“I know,“ Miranda said as she took a few steps closer to her desk. She leaned forward on it and stared predatorily at Andy. “Let me rephrase. Are you cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs?” She smirked.
Andy dropped her chin to her chest and counted to ten. When she finally looked back up, her eyes locked on mirth filled blue eyes. She had to bite her lip to keep from giggling. She stepped forward and mirrored Miranda’s stance from the opposite side of the desk. She leaned within a few inches of the other woman’s face and they stared at each other for a few moments. Andy then comically crossed her eyes and leaned the rest of the way in and kissed Miranda’s nose.
“Really, Miranda, cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs?”
Miranda laughed. “Would you have preferred ‘a few clowns shy of a circus’? Or maybe ‘two cans short of a six pack’?”
Andy moved forward a few steps and perched on the corner of the desk. “A taco shy of a combo plate’?”
“Not playing with a full deck.”
“Fries missing from your Happy Meal.”
“Elevator doesn’t reach the top floor.”
“Gone bananas.”
“What do the girls say... cray-cray?”
“Nuts.”
“Seriously, Andrea, all yours are food related. Is it feeding time again?”
“I missed lunch, okay?” Andy said sheepishly. “But that’s not the point. Would you just hear me out? Please?”
“Fine.” Miranda gestured for Andy to move to the chair and then she seated herself behind her desk. She clasped her hands, placed them on her desk and waited. “Go.”
Andy took a deep breath. “A few years ago, you attended the Women in Law Enforcement/Women in Media Conference in Orlando. For the most part….”
“Disregarding the murder, you mean?” Miranda grinned.
“For the most part, you had a good time. So good, that you also attended the ones the following years in Las Vegas, Springfield and Los Angeles.”
“You are going glacial, Andrea,” Miranda admonished. She gestured for Andy to speed it up. “Get to your point.”
“This year, as you know, the twin conferences are here in the city. No one knows New York better than you.”
Miranda spiked an eyebrow.
“That’s not an age dig. It’s a fact attesting to your brilliance and influence. I thought besides attending, you might be willing to help the organizers with planning the entertainment and show those women some New York hospitality.” Andrea tilted her head, “Plus the publicity you’d get for Runway couldn’t hurt.”
“But a ‘Game Show’? Seriously, Andrea? I will not subject my… OUR… lives to inane questions and ridicule.”
“Miranda, I would never ask that. I know you value your privacy and family over all else.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Although, we’d wipe the floor with them.” Andy beamed. “No, I thought we could supply the venue and the catering. That Runway could maybe persuade some of its business associates to ante up some token prizes and prize money.” Andy held her hand up, “Prize money that would be stipulated to go to the favorite charities of the participants.”
“That would be acceptable and easily doable.” She examined her perfectly manicured nails stopping short of buffing them on her blouse.
“And thatyouwouldemceetheprogram.” Andy rushed out and smiled brightly.
“I do not believe I heard you correctly.”
“I said that you might consider emceeing the program?” Andy cringed and braced for expected verbal impact.
“No!” Miranda pushed back her desk chair and stood abruptly.
“But Miran….”
“No, Andrea. I will be happy to introduce Runway’s affiliation with this event, but I will not stand there and ask these women insane questions, most of which are filled with sexual innuendo. ” Miranda moved to the front of her desk and perched on the edge.
Andrea scooted forward in her chair. She placed a hand on Miranda’s knee. “You’ve met these women. You’re good friends with some of them. Plus you’re perfect. You’re gorgeous…highly intelligent… Incredibly charming….”
“No, Andrea, I will not acquiesce to this request. I love you, but no, not even for you. Besides this is a faux Game Show. All you need is someone who is quick-witted and sarcastic with a presence….” Miranda paused for an instant then continued, “A commanding presence that won’t get overpowered by all the other personalities.” A devious grin appeared. “Someone who could not possibly refuse OUR proposition.” Miranda raised both eyebrows in challenge. “Think about it.”
Andy’s eyes widened as the answer appeared. “I got it!”