Snowbound

11

Miranda tried and failed to stop thinking about Ben. It was the hardest thing she had ever done and that was saying a whole lot because she had been through some things.

She called him twice but he didn't answer her calls or call her back and she didn't fault him considering she had done the same for months on end.

Ben spent the better part of his week packing all of Sabrina's things. Once everything was boxed up. He did a deep clean of his apartment and changed his linen.

Laying on his bed, he felt refreshed and finally relieved.

Miranda left work early and went to Ben's job the following Monday. She sat in the lobby and waited around, hoping he actually was at work today.
Ben grabbed his work bag and jacket out of the lounge before making his way to the lobby to go home. He was hungry and tired.

"Hey stranger," Miranda said softly as he initially walked passed her.

Ben looked around before laying eyes on Miranda. He swallowed hard and stared at her for a minute before speaking. "Miranda...hey, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see and talk to you. I know it has been months. I just wanted to see how you were doing and I know you deserved more than a phone call because I ghosted you."

Ben was silent. He did deserve that. More than a text and a call for sure.

"Can I take you to dinner to catch up? Are you busy? I know you probably have Sabrina waiting for you. Maybe I should have called first." Miranda rambled.

"She's not waiting on me and sure we can go to dinner."

"Okay, I can drive my car and we can meet there or you can follow me to my apartment and we can leave your car and ride together."

"Yeah, we can do that. I'll follow you. Drive over to the employees' parking lot." He instructed and she nodded walking to her car.

Ben followed Miranda to her apartment before getting out and getting on the passenger side of her car.

Miranda looked over at him with a smile before she drove to a local steak house. "I have never been here before,"

"Me either," Miranda admitted. Ben walked around to open the car door for her and the two walked inside.

"Table for two please," Ben spoke to the hostess.

The woman grabbed two menus and walked passed them. "Right this way,"

Ben pulled her chair out before taking a seat. They stared at one another for a while. Looking each other over.

"So how are you?" Miranda finally asked with a light smile.

"I'm doing okay is the best way I can put it,"

"Well, what about your leg and fingers?"

Ben held out his hand so she could see. He moved his fingers around showing her. "They are good. I have complete mobility and for my leg,"  Ben stuck his leg out, pulled the pants leg up, and showed her his scar. "It's healed well. I can jog but not run yet. So I'm coming along."

"What about your thigh?" He asked.

"It's just this ugly scar left behind," she mumbled.

"It's not just a scar Miranda. It's a testament to everything you have been through. It's a representation of endurance. I've seen it while it's healing and it's sexy."

"Thank you," she blushed.

"So how is the dog?"

"He's great, my son loves him and I do too actually."