I Spy

Chapter 5

Miranda

I stand with my arms crossed and my hip canted to the side. Annoyed. Sam comes rushing my way with a huge grin on her face. I can't help but smile slightly. "You made it." She grab my hands and pull me into her. I gasp in reaction. It's been a few weeks and we were still doing this 'taking it slow' thing. However, I take in her body greedily. I throw my arms around her neck and her hand encircle my waist. I wanted to bury my face in her neck, take in her scent, and kiss her.

Someone clears their throat. It's Tessa.

Tessa hasn't said much to me since that day. But, I knew everything there was to know about her. I look her up and down in disgust and she gives me a smile. Tessa was an average girl with nothing on her record for me to use against her. She loved dogs and was in a horrible pageant when she was five. Everything about her made me want to puke.

Sam rips away from me and she's blushing. "Sorry." She tells me. I roll my eyes. She gives my hip a squeeze and then I follow her towards the table. I decided to not say anything about the conversation Tessa and I had.

It was pointless.

This was about Sam and me getting better and even though it would be satisfying to see Tessa life destroyed. I didn't have time for hobbies at the moment. I'm escorted to the table and there is Nathalie, Rose, and Austin.

Sam told me earlier in the week that she wanted me to come and help with the children. We were all helping to raise funds for the city after school care. I didn't mind donating but usually I would write a check. However, Sam wanted me to come and see firsthand.

I was seriously overdressed but I ignore all the eyes that is on me. "Austin." I say calmly. He jumps up instantly and rushes over to me. "Coffee." I tell him. He look around the small gym and look back at the others before muttering, "I'll be back."

"Bring me..." Rose starts.

"No." Austin cuts her off. He grab his jacket and ignore the pout on her face.

"You're going anyway."

"It's my job."

Rose snorts, "Whatever." She then lean more into Nathalie.

I take a seat at the end of the table and pull out my phone. I begin to check emails and several minutes pass before a cup of coffee is being placed in front of me. I take a few small sips. A woman come in and go over the event agenda. "The little kids are excited to paint. I hope you guys are wearing clothes you don't love."

Everyone look at me and I look down at myself and shrug. "I told you to dress casual." Austin mutters to me. I roll my eyes. I was casual. I was wearing a grey blouse and a pair of black jeans with my blue wedges. Everyone else in the room was wearing t-shirts and shorts. It was pathetic. It looked like they all just jumped out of bed and went by their day.

The doors burst open and small children run into the gym screaming at the top of their lungs. We are split into groups and everything happens so fast. Before I know it I'm being pulled in different directions. I'm playing hide and seek and then painting.

"Look!" One of the little girls scream. "It's a butterfly." She grins. She was wearing a blue shirt and a pair of bright red shorts that had ice-cream cones all over them in variety of colors.

I examine the picture and say, "It's beautiful."

She smiles widely and she's missing a front tooth. Her hair is hanging wildly at her shoulders. "Shane loves butterflies." She rambles while talking. She paints in different directions and paint is getting everywhere. I direct her.

"Try staying inside of the lines." I coach her.

"Like this." She throws her hand up and paint flies everywhere. Landing on my cheek and shirt.

She pouts, "Sowwy. I mess up your shirt."

"It's okay." I tell her. "It's replaceable."

"Really?" She questions while chewing on her bottom lip. She was on the verge of tears.

"I promise." I reassure her.

"Pinky swear." She throws out her small pinky. I chuckle and wrap mine around hers. She then begin to color pictures and leave the paint alone. Someone sit down next to me and it's Sam. She's breathing hard and she's has removed her button up and is sporting a sleeveless band shirt. Her arms on display and her chest glistening in sweat.

"Those kids are rough." She takes the cap off the water bottle and take several huge sips. I swallow and force my naughty thoughts away. Sam decided it would be fun to play flag football with the bigger kids. I guess she was now paying the price.

"Who is this?" She questions leaning over me and giving the small girl at my side a wave. However, the little girl buries her face into my side.

"Awe." Sam pouts. "She doesn't like me."

My hand instantly run its fingers through the small girl hair. "She's only shy." I reassure Sam. "Piper. This is my friend, Sam." I pause and Piper pulls back and look at Sam.

"She's nice like you?" Piper ask.

"I'm cooler." Sam grins. "I'll let you eat all the candy you want."

"Candy rotten your teeth." Piper frown. I chuckle.

Sam looks surprised and pull out a green apple blow-pop. "Well. I guess I can keep this all to myself then."

Piper eyes widen and she looks to me for answers. "But, green is my favorite color."

"Here you go." Sam gives her the sucker. "Sweets is sometimes good for the soul but too much can rotten your teeth."

Piper eagerly takes the candy and unravels it before putting it in her mouth. She then gets up to run. "Slow down or you'll choke." I stop her instantly my motherly instincts kicking in. Piper take a seat on the bench and kick her legs back and forth silently eating the candy while watching the other children run away.

She gets up again and I give her a stare. She pouts. "I wanna play." She grumbles. I hold my hand out for the candy. She plops it out her mouth and put it in my hand sadly. "It'll be right here when you're done." I tell her.

She thinks it over while staring at the candy. Someone shouts her name and she rushes off.

I take the forbidden paper that's on the table and wrap it around the leftover sucker. I then begin to place all the paint and crayons back in its home. I then notice Sam staring at me the whole time. "What?" I ask her.

Sam blushes. "Sorry." She mutters. "You're just really good at all that."

I cock my head to the side in confusion.

"Motherly stuff." Sam admits and her face turns even redder. We haven't spoken about kids in a long time. Before I could open my mouth and say anything more someone small body is colliding into my side.

"Randa." Piper shrieks. There are tears running down her face. "Hurts." She bends her arm and shows me her bloody elbow. She then continues to cry into my side. I coo her and pick her up. Sam jumps up and we all walk towards the double doors. I find some disinfected spray in the nearby office along with some bandages. I sit her in the chair but she didn't want to let me go. "No." She cries. "Don't leave me."

"Hey." Sam speaks. "Miranda needs you to let her go so she can see your booboo properly."

"Kay." Piper wipes her face.

"Great." Sam smiles. "Now the hard part is coming. It's only going to sting for a little while."

"Kay." Piper sniffs. I hold Piper arm gently and spray the disinfectant spray. It begins to bubble up and Piper screams at the top of her lungs. I clean the blood quickly and put a bandage on it. She throws her arm around me and I bounce her. Sam is behind me while saying, "Hey. Hey. It's all over. You're super girl now. Here." She gives her another piece of candy. "For being so brave."

Piper grab it and put in her mouth while burying her face in my neck. Sam pouts. My phone begin to ring and I hand the small four year old over to Sam. The little girl instantly jump into Sam arms. Sam eyes widen in surprised and she tries to copy what I was doing.

"What." I answer the phone with an attitude.

"The Rio photoshoot is in two hours." The person says hesitant. "You told me to call you and remind you."

I hang up the phone and run my fingers through my hair in frustration. I wasn't ready to leave just yet. But, this was important photoshoot and it needed to be done correctly the first time. Our funds wasn't so big as it use to be.

I walk back into the office and Sam is sitting in one of the chairs with Piper on her lap. The both of them is playing some game on her phone. Piper giggles and her lips is all green and sticky. She taps on the phone excitedly and then turn around and ask, "More candy?"

Sam shakes her head. "That's the last one for you today, buddy."

Piper pouts, "Please." She tries while blinking her eyes.

Sam freezes and I laugh while walking further into the room. "Too much candy rottens your teeth, remember?" I ask Piper.

Piper sighs but continues to tap onto the phone.

"Do you think you're ready to go and play with the other kids?" Sam ask.

Piper shake her head and lean more into Sam neck. "I stay here."

Sam chuckles, "I don't think you wanna miss the water gun fight."

Piper thinks it over.

"I'll be right there the whole time." Sam promises.

"Pinky promise." Piper throws out her small fingers. Sam wraps her pinky around her and say. "Promise."

Piper gets down and take the sucker out her mouth before handing it to me. She then rushes off to play with the other children. "Be careful." Sam screams after her. "Tie your shoes."

I chuckle and Sam pouts. I run my fingers through her hair. "You're good at this too." I tell her.

"Really?" Sam questions. "You think so?"

"You'll be a fantastic mother, Sam." I tell her. Sam is chewing on her bottom lip and for a second I think she's about to lean in kiss me but someone is knocking on the door. I frown. Sam steps back and give the two of us space.

"I have to go." I say. I lean in and kiss Sam on the cheek before walking out. I look Tessa in the eye and she gives me a odd look. I walk back into the gym to see Piper throwing water balloons at the other adults and children. She sees me and rushes to me. I bend down and say, "I have to go. Be careful ok?" I then begin to tie her shoes. "Keep your shoes tied."

"Kay." She smiles. I stand and she hug me tightly. I make my way back towards the double doors. I remember that I left my jacket by the office. I head that way and notice Sam and Tessa still talking. I lean toward the door and listen in.

"Come on." Tessa laughs. "Dinner on me?"

"I don't know." Sam replies. "I have loads of homework to catch up on."

Tessa frown. "You're avoiding again."

Sam run her fingers through her hair. "You don't understand...."

"I understand, Sam." Tessa say. "I told you no pressure. It's just food and maybe some wine. You look like you need it."

Sam ponders and chew on her bottom lip before shrugging, "Fine." She says.

Tessa grins.

[][]

I sit at my desk and tap my pen against the table in thought. The photoshoot was a success. However, I wasn't really there. My mind was stuck on Sam and Tessa. I can't believe Sam was actually going to go on a date. Did taking it slow mean you could date other people? That's foolish How the hell could we be working on something if she's out going on dates. With Tessa of all people.

"Austin." I call.

Austin hurries into the room and he shut the door behind him. "Yes." He say.

"I need you to find out where Tessa and Sam date is tonight." I tell him.

"Date?" He looks confused. "With Tessa." He chuckles. "No way."

I look to him in boredom. "I'm honestly thinking about replacing you with Rose."

"What?" He looks at me in shock. "Don't fire me."

"I didn't say fire you." I respond. "I said replace."

Austin frown and place a few documents on my desk. "Here is your spreadsheet for the month. I'll find out where they'll be." He then pause. "Just remember I'm not here to be your little spy." He then walks away. I roll my eyes and open the folder. I grin. Austin wasn't a complete waste.

[][]

Later that night Austin is coming into the office. "They are heading to some burger joint downtown. I have the address."

I turn up my nose in disgust. "Is it Harry's Bar?" I question. "Sam loves that place for certain reasons."

Austin shake his head. "No. Some other place. I doubt she'll ever take Tessa there." Austin comments. "That's your spot."

"I don't understand." I ask in confusion.

"Sam takes you there because she knows deep down you love their burgers and actually enjoy looking at the women." Austin laughs.

"That's a lie." I say.

"Right." Austin chuckles.

I put down the magazine and stand, "What else has Sam told you about me?" I question.

"She never really tells me these things, purposely." Austin explains. "She just loves talking about you. But, I mean it's obvious she's in love you with. Who wouldn't talk about you."

"If she's so in love with me why are we taking it slow?"

Austin pause. "I don't know." He say. "She's probably scared. Sam...she's weird. And when you left." Austin pause again choosing his words carefully. "It broke her."

"Right." I say.

"She just need time." Austin says. "I saw you two today with Piper. You guys are made for each other. She just needs to see that again and I know she seen a glimpse of that today. Just be yourself." Austin smiles.

I nod my head. I didn't want to get all sentimental. I turn around and open my closet that's in the corner of my office. It's here for emergencies. "Dress or pants?" I question myself.

"Dress casual." Austin speaks. "Or you'll be notice the second you walk into the restaurant. It's a burger place. Remember?"

"I want to be noticed." I say.

"I thought we were spying on them." Austin says to himself.

I pause and turn around and look at him. "I guess you're not a complete waste. Spying seems like the better idea."

"Uh." Austin groans. "Sam is going to kill me."

"She will never find out about this." I say.

It takes a while for me to find a casual outfit. I guess casual in Austin world meant dressing like a college student on drugs. I look down at myself in disgust. I was wearing a black shirt with a cat on it. A cat! A pair of jeans from earlier and my heels. I look myself in the mirror and shift nervously. I didn't feel like myself.

"Nice." Austin nod his head. I walk out the office and the employees that chose to stay late look at me in shock. I ignore them and walk with confidence. We head for my car but Austin stop me. "We should take a taxi."

"Why?" I ask annoyed.

"We're blending in remember. Sam will notice your Mercedes a mile away. She gets triggered everything she sees one." Austin explains.

"Good." I smile in victory to myself.

He stop a taxi and we head downtown. I grumble annoyed the entire time.

Austin shifts uncomfortable. "If your plan wasn't to spy. What were you going to do?" He questions.

"I was going to walk in on them and demand answers." I frown.

"Sounds like you." Austin concludes. "Dramatic."

I roll my eyes at his comment. We make it to the restaurant and music is blaring loudly. We find a table in the corner. Austin sees them and duck behind some people. I watch closely. The two of them was sitting in a booth. Sam was tapping away at her laptop and Tessa was peering over and looking at her laptop.

"See." Austin say. "Nothing to worry about. They're out studying."

I sigh. Good I didn't go with my first plan.That would have been embarrassing.

"We can leave then." I say grabbing my purse.

"Wait." Austin stops me. "I have to pee. I'll be right back."

I sigh annoyed and lean back in the chair. Austin hurries toward the back and I scroll through my phone. I then continue to watch Sam and Tessa. Sam is concentrating hard but Tessa looks annoyed. I smile in pleasure. A waiter come and place food on their table and Sam closes her laptop before putting it in her bag. Tessa moves and slide into the booth next to her. I frown.

Austin comes back and I command, "Sit."

He sits quickly. "I thought we were leaving." He whispers. I point my fingers and he turns around slowly. Tessa and Sam are laughing at something and Tessa is touching Sam on the shoulder before biting into her burger. I'm fuming in my seat annoyed. I wanted to get up and say something but it would only backfire.

We continue to watch them for a few more minutes. The two of them is only eating but then Tessa puts down her burger and lean over to whisper something in Sam ear. Sam chuckles to herself and at this moment I stand. Austin looks at me in shock and he whispers, "You can't."

I clench my jaw and grab my purse before storming out the restaurant. I pull out my phone and dial Sam number. She doesn't answer. I frown and dial her number again. No answer. I then text her.

Where are you?

I tapped my foot impatiently against the hard concrete floor. No response. I call her again. Someone answer but it's not Sam.

"Hello." Her voice is soft and annoying. "Tessa speaking."

"You don't have to speak your name, sweetheart. I'm not stupid. Give Sam the phone."

"She's pretty busy at the moment. We're having dinner." Tessa replies.

"I guess you're worth the budget of a pre-schooler." I say. "Sam has more class for people she loves. She wouldn't even bring her mother here." I crinkle my nose looking at a woman walk out the bar.

"This was my idea." Tessa explains. "Everything doesn't have to be upscale."

I chuckle, "How tacky. Sam only deserves the best. I'm the only one who can give her that."

There is a pause and I know I've gotten under Tessa skin. "She seems to be enjoying herself."

I squeeze the phone tighter than necessary. "Give Sam the phone, now."

The phone hang up. I clench my jaw and storm into the bar. Austin grabs me by my arm and say, "Let's go. Sam will kill us both if she find out we're spying on her."

I think this over before listening to Austin. We ride back in the taxi in silence. I leave Austin at the building and get into my car before driving to Sam place. I wait outside. I didn't want to wake Nathalie. It was pretty late and she was probably with Rose or asleep.

Sam jeep pulls up and I get out the car. She shut her door and turn around in shock. "Miranda." She say.

"I called you and your lovely friend Tessa answered the phone."

Sam swallows. "Um..."

"Um?" I further question.

"You're wearing normal clothes." She looks me up and down in confusion.

"Where were you tonight, Sam?" I ask hoping she'll tell the truth.

Sam swallows and run her fingers through her hair in confusion. "Studying with Tessa. I didn't know you called. She didn't say anything."

I chuckle in shock. "I didn't know studying involved food. We're done." I sneer. I couldn't help myself. "How are we supposed to be working on us if you're out going on dates with other women. I refuse to be played with."

"What?" Sam grab my hands. "Wait. Miranda. You're getting it all confused."

I snatch away from her. "If you want that cheap, dog loving, pageant skank. Then you can have her." I hiss before storming back to my car.

"Wait." Sam grab my arm. "How did you know we were out?"

"Does it matter?" I sneer.

"It does." Sam frown. "Shit. Miranda. Are you stalking me?"

I chuckle annoyed. "Fuck you, Sam." I snatch away from her and get into my car speeding off. Several minutes and miles later I'm parking my car. I get out and knock softly on someone's door.

The door open and reveals Joy. "Miranda. It's a surprise seeing you this late."

I shift on my foot and whisper, "I messed up."

Joy opens the door further and see my state. My eyes are red from crying and my hair was tussled everywhere. "Come in." She tells me.