Friends With Benefits

16

A few months into her new 3 days a week arrangement with Ben, Miranda found herself getting used to the rhythm of their secretive..whatever they were. However as much as she was loving all the "stress relief" something about her triggered the attention of none other than eagle eyed Calliope Torres. All morning, Callie had been staring at her, a look of deep curiosity plastered on her face that made Miranda increasingly uncomfortable. 

At lunchtime, Miranda finally had enough. She set her tray down across from Callie and gave her a pointed look. "You're freaking me out with the staring. What is your deal?"

Callie leaned back in her chair, arms crossed with an air of mock seriousness. "Oh, I'm just taking a mental note of my best friend's new glow. Spill the tea, Miranda. You're definitely sleeping with someone, and whoever he is, he's doing a damn good job."

Miranda's brows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Callie rolled her eyes, gesturing with her fork. "Come on. Look at the way you're walking. You're obviously sore."

 "I've been working out more," she said, forcing a smile that felt stiff on her lips. "You know, trying to stay fit and all that."

"Really? Working out like that makes you walk like you've just gotten off a horse? You're terrible at lying, Miranda."

 "I don't know what to tell you. I've been running more, that's all.

"Uh-huh," Callie replied, clearly skeptical. "And I suppose that's why you're suddenly so much happier too? You can't tell me that it's just the endorphins from running. There's more going on here."

 "You're really determined to make this a thing, aren't you?"

" I mean, come on, Miranda. I'm your best friend. You can tell me"

"Seriously, it's just fitness stuff. I've been hitting the gym hard lately. That's why I'm sore."

Callie's eyes narrowed, but she kept her mouth shut, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. Sure. Whatever you say, Miranda," she said, smirking as she took a bite of her salad. "Just know I'm here for you whenever you decide to share the real story."

 "I promise I'm not hiding anything scandalous."

"Okay, okay. For now," Callie replied, raising her hands in mock surrender. But Miranda knew this wouldn't be the end of it. She could feel Callie's gaze lingering, the curiosity and concern bubbling just beneath the surface.

In Ben's apartment, the atmosphere was charged with a blend of familiarity and playful tension as they settled in for their evening together. Ben was ready to get straight to business, his mind racing with excitement, but Miranda had something else on hers.

"Before we dive into things," she said, biting her lip, "I have to tell you that Callie noticed I was walking a bit funny today."

 "What do you mean 'walking funny'? Did you trip or something?"

Miranda rolled her eyes, a smirk breaking through her initial seriousness. "You know exactly what I mean. You're making me sore, and she noticed."

His smirk widened into a grin, feeling a rush of pride at the thought. "So you're saying I'm good at my job?"

"Just start taking it easy for a while before more people get suspicious," she warned, a hint of laughter in her voice. "The last thing I need is for Callie to start snooping around."

Ben shrugged nonchalantly. "People might suspect you're sleeping with someone, but they won't necessarily think it's me. We've got this down to a science."

"Stop smirking so much about it," she replied, trying to sound serious but failing to suppress her own grin.

"I can't help it," he said with a chuckle. "I've never made anyone walk funny before."