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“Ralph! I need two clubs, a cheese, and a garden!” Miranda yelled into the kitchen. Silverware clanked, people buzzed with conversation, and Ralph the cook furiously tried to stay abreast of all the orders. Miranda Roberts waited tables, mixed drinks, and rang up checks, all for a ridiculously small amount of change. “Ralph!”
“I’m comin’, I’m comin’!” the portly chef for the Mariposa restraunt responded in agrivation.
“Miranda?” Anthony appeared at her side, a pleading expression on his face., Knowing his hopeful tone too well, Miranda didn’t even need to look at him to know what he wanted.
“No.”
“Please?”
“Absolutely not. Geez Anthony, I told you, there’s no way I’m working another shift today. ”
“But Miranda! You’ve gotta help me out, I-”
“Anthony,” she interrupted turning to him. “ I have a boyfriend, and I’m determinded to spend some time with him.” She raised an eyebrow, daring her boss and friend to argue. He sighed, his shoulders slumping in aquiescence. “Don’t worry. I’ll still be back around 10 to help you close up, okay?” Miranda reminded with a small smile.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Anthony dismissed waving his hand in the air.
“Order up!” Ralph bellowed.
“Thanks.” Miranda grabbed the four plates, balancing them on her arm. “I’m taking care of table nine, and then I’m off, alright?” she called over her shoulder to Anthony.
Arriving at the table, she put on a smile, “Hi folks! Okay, we’ve got a cheeseburger, two turkey clubs, and a garden burger. Here’s your ketchup, can I get you anything else?”
*****
“Honey, I’m home!” Miranda called in her best Ricky Ricardo voice.
“Baby, is that you?” her boyfriend of a year asked.
“You’ll have to come find out.” came the sassy reply. Kevin appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. He watched as Miranda set her keys on the counter and tugged off her shoes, letting them drop to the floor.She balanced herself with one hand on the counter while bending down to massage her aching feet. Kevin whistled in appreciation of the view. His girlfriend straightened and tossed him a smile as she opened the door to the refridgerator.
“I’m thirsty. Want anything?” she questioned, surveying the contents of the shelves.
“You.” Kevin’s voice was husky in her ear as he snaked his arms snuggly around her waist, then nuzzled her neck. “I missed you.”
“Mmm. I think we need to go grocery shopping.”
“I think we need to-”Kevin began, but Miranda silenced him with her hand over his mouth.
“I know very well what you think we should do.” she countered, trying to ignore his puppy dog eyes. “And I think that we should save that until later. Right now, we’ve got to worry about dinner.” He leaned in to kiss her neck again, tugging the strap of her tank top off her shoulder.
“Forget dinner. Skip to dessert.” he murmured, kissing a trail along her collarbone, eliciting a sigh of pleasure from her. Finally, Miranda pulled away and said with mock indignation,
“Stop this, you maniac. I just spent eight hours waiting tables, listening to customers complain, and refilling coffee cups. To top it off, my feet ache and my back is wasted. I think I deserve sustenance, thank you very much. Now, how’s stir fry?”
Kevin couldn’t stifle the laugh that bellowed forth from his chest. “Baby, you whine like no one else I know.”
“That’s because I’m the best.” she replied cheekily.
“You are.” he agreed wholeheartedly. “Let’s get to the store.”
“We have to make a list first!” Miranda objected.
“We don’t need a list. Fly by the seat of your pants for once.” he scoffed, his eyes twinkling as he pulling her toward the door.
“Sure, you say that now, but we can’t afford impulse shopping!”
“Once the record deal goes through, I’ll buy you a mini mart. Come on!”
*@*
“Kevin, no.”
“Why not?”
“Because, that’s discusting!”
“No, it’s not. How about this: you won’t have to watch me eat it.” Kevin bargained. Miranda sighed.
“Okay, fine.”
Kevin grinned and plunked the package of ground beef in the cart. “I don’t get what it is with you and red meat.” she muttered.
“Mmm. Good.” her shopping partner growled, imitating a caveman.
“What’s next on the list?”
“Tortillas, milk, bell peppers, that green stuff you buy-”
“Guacomoli.” Miranda corrected.
“Like I was saying: that green suff, sour cream, and a new toothbrush.”
Thirty minutes later, Kevin stood chopping vegetables for the stir fry while Miranda diced chicken. She snuck a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked cute in an apron. A lock of his dark brown hair fell in his eye; he shook his head to remove it. Miranda let her eyes wander over his well toned body, beginning at his broad shoulders, trailing down over hips....... A profanity sliced through the companianable silence.
“What?!” Miranda cried in alarm.
“I cut myself.” Kevin muttered through clenched teeth, while he clutched at his hand. He allowed himself to be led over to the sink.
“Let me see.” Miranda murmured soothingly, her voice tinged with worry. Silently, she examined the injury, then guided his hand under the stream of cool water. Kevin took advantage of her preoccupation to focus his eyes on her face, his hurt forgotten. Miranda was Kevin’s definition of beautiful - that is to say, she had a pure heart. Outwardly, she was more unique than pretty. Firey red hair hung just past her shoulders, curling softly while she stared out at the world through blue gray eyes. She was far from the wisp o’ wind type of woman that was ever so popular on the runways. Instead, she sported a curvacious figure, long slim legs, and a well toned stomach. Just thinking about holding her always seemed to-
“There. Good news, you’re gonna live.” Miranda teased. She finished wrapping his hand in a towel.
That was a close call.” he grinned.
“Yeah, well, don’t go writing your will yet.” she responded wryly.
“No worries.” he assured her, slipping his hands onto her hips and pulling her close, planting a soft kiss on her nose.
“I think I’d better be the one wielding the knife for now, okay?” Miranda suggested wryly. Kevin shrugged and hoisted himself up onto the counter. “So, how did that meeting with Lou go?”
“Okay, I guess. Now that Brian’s here, our sound is alot better. More rounded out, you know? Top to bottom harmonies.
“Great!”
“Uh huh. Lou’s got an audition scheduled for us on Monday.” he added.
“Really?!” Miranda squealed, turning her radiant face to his. “Kevin, that’s wonderful!” Dropping the knife on the counter, she moved to stand in front of him, pushing his legs aside to make room for herself. Kevin smiled down at her from his perch, and leaned forward to allow her arms to snake up around his neck. “I’m so proud of you!” she mumbled into his shirt. “Where’s it at?”
“Jive Records.”
“Wow.” she breathed, pulling away to gaze up into his face. “This is so fabulous! Get out the bottle of wine we’ve been saving, honey. The stir fry won’t take much longer, and we can celebrate properly.” she added, giving him a sly look.
“I like the way you think.” Kevin laughed, reaching for the wine.
*@*
Miranda lay on the couch in Kevin’s arms, enjoying the feeling of his fingertips tracing invisible patterns on her upper arm.
“Here’s lookin’ at you kid.....” Bogart said in his raspy voice, watching the woman he loved board the plane that would fly her out of his life. Miranda sniffled. Kevin sighed and hugged her tightly.
“I love this movie.” she whispered.
“I noticed.” he replied softly. “Although, I think you just like watching old Bogey.”
“Kevin!” Miranda exclaimed, pushing back lightly against him. Kevin only hid a smirk behind his wine glass.
“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about world war or one of us leaving.” she sighed. Kevin tensed and Miranda tilted her head to look at him. “What?”
“We need to talk.” he said quietly.
“About what?” Miranda hazarded, beginning to pull out of his embrace. Kevin tenderly brought her back into place, pressing her head into his chest.
“Shhh. Take it easy.”
“You sound so serious. Like it’s one of those times when the guy tells his live in girlfriend that he’s having an affair with someone else.” she replied, worry edging her voice.
“No, it’s nothing like that!” Kevin cried, agast. “I would never....never.”
Miranda sighed. “Then what is it? You can tell me anything, Kevin.”
“I know. At his house today, Lou talked to all of us and let it be known that he and our additional managment wants us to state that we’re single whenever we’re asked our dating status in interviews for the future. He said that record companies won’t pick us up if we started letting everyone know that we’re not on the market.”
“Oh.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I just wanted you to know. Of course, I won’t do it.”
“No, you should.” Miranda quickly protested quickly, though she felt a pang of hurt resound through her heart. “I mean, it’s your career, Kevin. You come home to me at night and that’s all that matters.”
“Really?” he frowned. She reached up and smoothed away the worry lines on his forehead.
“Really. Now, how about that dessert?”
*@*
“Oh no! I can’t believe I forgot!” Miranda swore, leaping up from where she and Kevin lay on the couch under a lightwieght blanket.
“What?!” he exclaimed, sitting up. ‘
“No, it’s okay,honey. Stay there. I have to run down to the Mariposa to help Anthony lock up. I should be back in about a half an hour. Think you can live without me that long?” she gave him a cheeky grin.
“Only if when you come back we make up for lost time and repeat dessert.” he grinned. Miranda laughed and leaned forward pressing a kiss against his bare chest.
“Keep the blankets warm for me.” she whispered, pulled on some clothes, and left.
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