Somebody For Me

We Were Us

The afternoon that Terri was supposed to become a full-fledged member of her sorority, Miranda rushed around trying to get things for her friend's probate. She needed to go and get a cake and balloons and wished that she had a car. Being the generous man that he was, Ben offered to help her out. Miranda and other friends of the pledges helped set up some tables in the lobby of her building with cake. That night, Miranda stood at the front of the large group of people with Ben holding her waist as they waited. He wasn't his usually chatty self, but she ignored that and watched Terri, second in line, and her fellow pledges come out as everyone cheered. Looking across the crowd, she saw a big group of Kappas. Tucker was standing at the back. "Okay, deuce!" She heard Brandon shout. Miranda laughed, looking up at Ben. Expecting to see a smile, he wore a distracted look.

She bumped him with her body. "You're okay?"

He kissed the side of her head. "Yeah, yeah. Of course."

She knew he wasn't telling the truth, but she didn't dwell on it. Miranda just watched Terri perform, snapping pictures. When it was over, the friends ran to each other hugging tightly, crying. "You were amazing!"

"Yeah?"

"Yes!" Miranda told her. "Wasn't she, Ben?"

He high-fived Terri. "You were great."

Brandon ran over. "There you are! You did it, baby!" Terri jumped into his arms, kissing him.

Miranda and Ben stepped back a little. She pulled out her camera and took pictures of them, smiling. "Ben?" Someone said coming over to them.

Both Ben and Miranda turned around. A woman stood there, in an outfit that Miranda quickly associated with the sorority. The red complimented her brown skin perfectly—she was beautiful. "Eunice? Hi. Uh, Miranda Bailey, this is Eunice Harpes, my ex-girlfriend." Even though her stomach was churning, Miranda kept her face pleasant. So, this was the older woman? Miranda sometimes looked into the mirror and saw high school Mandy, but this Eunice definitely never had that problem. Miranda was glad that she'd dressed up for this event instead of putting on regular clothes. "And Eunice, this is Miranda, my... uh... my Miranda." Miranda looked at him and could see that he was blushing. And she wanted to simultaneously stab and hug him. The women shook hands. "I didn't think you'd be here," he said.

"Well, this is my sorority," Eunice told him. "But you knew that." She touched his arm and Miranda cleared her throat.

"I'm going to go and talk to Terri," she announced. "Eunice, nice to meet you." Not wanting to spoil Terri's night with drama, Miranda slapped on a smile and found her best friend. Terri immediately realized that something was wrong and asked her if she was okay. Miranda just nodded and rambled on about how good the probate was. "Just promise me that you won't forget our friendship when you're with your sisters," she laughed.

"You are my sister," Terri said. Miranda couldn't stop a smile from brightening her face. "Hey, where's Ben?" Miranda shrugged. Terri looked over her head and asked: "Why is Ben talking to my PM?"

Inhaling, Miranda said: "She is his ex-girlfriend." The fact tasted disgusting in her mouth and made her want to pop every balloon in sight.

"Oh, honey. Well, don't worry about that. He likes you. He's with you."

"We're just two people who talk and go out and... and kiss occasionally. No title, nothing exclusive. We're friends. Which is fine with me. I have no rights to him, so I'm not even... you know, mad. I'm just caught off-guard."

Terri made a face. "Huh." She walked over to Ben and Eunice with a grin plastered on her face. Striking up a conversation with Eunice, allowed Ben the opportunity to slip away. From where she was standing, she could see that he was looking for her. That almost made her feel better until she remembered how he'd introduced her. And how much time he'd spent with his ex. Is this how he felt whenever Tucker was around? The feeling of mediocrity? Miranda sighed and headed in his direction. His smile was so wide.

"I'm sorry," they said at the same time.

He put a hand to her head. "Wait, are you feeling okay?"

"Stop it," she laughed, moving his hand away. She put her arm around his waist and he squeezed her shoulder.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"It's too much to explain, but just know that I understand."

"Ooookay." She held his hand with her free one. "But I wanted to apologize to you, too."

Walking away from the large crowd, she asked: "For?"

They sat on the bleachers by the volleyball sand pit. "Because I should have already asked you to be my girlfriend." A chill trinkled through her body, the hairs on her arms and legs rose. "You mean a lot to me. And I've never said that to someone before. But I mean it, Miranda. I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Are you saying this because you saw your ex-girlfriend today and you didn't know what to call me?"

Ben smiled sheepishly. "No. It's been on my mind for a long time. I promise."

"Is it just about sex?"

Ben sucked his teeth and shook his head. "Babe, you know me better than that."

"I like to think that I do."

"You do." She touched the sides of his face, staring into his eyes trying to read him. He was being genuine. Miranda's entire body was covered in goosebumps. This man wanted her. And, damn, she wanted him, too. "Do you need some time to think about it?"

Smiling, she shook her head slowly. "No, Benjamin Warren, I do not."

"No, you don't want to be my girl? Or that you don't need time to think about it?"

She shot him a deathly stare. "Which one do you think?"

"Then say it." Miranda looked at his lips moving and all she wanted to do was kiss him. All she wanted to do was be with him. To be near him. He was watching her, his gaze unwavering.

"Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

He smiled. "Now, doesn't that feel good to say?"

"Just kiss me," she said pressing her lips to his, slipping her tongue into mouth before he could respond.