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"Okay, stop I need your help"

"Larry’s gone?"

"Yup I’ off depression I can’t do it alone Want to come over and eat ice cream and watch a bunch of romantic movies with me?"

"I’d love to" Her friend didn’t hesitate "Do you have butter pecan or do I need to go to the store on e and opened the freezer section "I’ve got vanilla and…" She shuffled aside two frozen halibut filets, a microwave dinner and a box of peas "Nope, that’s it"

"I’ll make an ice cream run," Miranda said "It’ll take ?"

"Forty I can do Forty-five would be a stretch"

"I’ll tell the grocery clerk this is an eency and I’ll be there as fast as I can"

Before she hung up, Shirley rateful for her willingness to drop everything and come to her rescue

When Miranda arrived with three flavors of ice cream, Shirley had unpacked her suitcase, started a load of laundry and set out bowls and spoons A selection of DVDs was stacked and ready After sorting through her favorite romanticthe Stone and The Princess Bride

Miranda decided they should watch French Kiss first Shirley slipped it into the DVD player while her friend dished up their treats They both sat on the sofa, eating slowly "I love thisice cream

"Me, too," Miranda said dreauess she was such a romantic Shirley knew otherwise The contrast between her no-nonsense exterior and her wars about her

Shirley didn’t know anyone, not even Olivia, who could cut Will Jefferson down to size as effectively as her friend She’d been observing the bickering and one-upsued like a long-married couple, and Shirley was convinced they both enjoyed it That style of interaction wasn’t for her, but it worked for soot in the ood? A prize fro House?"

"Better A card from your employer"

Miranda put her bowl of ice creaht and paused thecard?"

"He sure did"

"Will? Will Jefferson? Are you joking?"

"He isn’t so bad, you know," Shirley said "Beneath all that bravado, he’s a nice guy"

Miranda frowned, shaking her head "He’s coine how he fits it through the door"

Shirley laughed "Oh, for heaven’s sake Aren’t you exaggerating?"

"You don’t ith him I do I’ve seen him at his worst"

"And his best," Shirley added

Miranda wasn’t giving in that easily "You go ahead and believe what you like, but I know the real Will Jefferson"

Shirley got up fro card, which she handed to her friend

Miranda read Will’s e, then closed the card and looked up at Shirley

"Well?"

"He’s good ords," Miranda reluctantly adracious"

"Don’t act so surprised" The congratulatory note had felt authentic to Shirley Will had wished her and Larry happiness and claiether

"He can be sincere," Miranda said, still with soreed Despite her initial doubts, she’d sensed his good qualities--his kindness, his coenerosity Granted, he’d tried too hard to impress her and had coenuinely pleased that Larry and I found happiness together"

"Genuinely?" Miranda snickered

Shirley studied her friend "I had no idea you disliked him so much" In reality she knew the opposite was true; Miranda was falling for Will, and fighting it every step of the way

"I don’t dislike him," Miranda said "In fact…" She closed her eyes

"What?" Shirley pressed, although she ell aware of what Miranda was about to divulge

"If you laugh, I swear to you I will get up and walk out of this house and never return"

"I won’t laugh," Shirley promised, her expression sober "Cross e the truth of her words "All right, I’ll tell you I’m afraid…actually, I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him"

"You think I didn’t already know that?" Shirley broke into a big grin Miranda’s confession pleased her Maybe so would finally happen between Will and her friend