Page 100 of If We Meet Again

“No, I don’t think about why I don’t talk to her. Life just moves on.”

“It does, but if you don’t allow yourself to move on with it, you’ll always be thinking about the past.”

Ashley stood and strolled towards the window. The streets had darkened as the sun set behind theskyscrapers.

“I think we are going off on a tangent here. Tonight is supposed to be about me asking Madison to beexclusive.”

“Okay, can I ask one more question?”Jason said.

“Yes, be quick though.” Ashley eyed the bathroom door. The continuous wash of the showerhad stopped.

“Do you love her?” Jason quietly mouthed the words, pointing towards the bathroom so there would be no confusion as to who the questionreferred to.

Ashley didn’t hesitate,“Yes, I do.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” Jason stood followed by Emily as they circled their best friend for a three-way hug.

“I’m so excited for you two,” Emily chirped.

Ashley felt the warmth of her friends. The life she had created for herself was one she should be extremely proud of, but the niggling feeling that had been present on and off for months appeared once again. There was something within her body that remained cautious whenever she felt a surge of happiness. Whenever she felt as though her life was on the right path, it pulled her back like a fierce fire burning in the pit of her stomach, reminding her that not all was as it seemed. There was something missing, some emotional investment that she held back. Yet, here she was, about to ask Madison to be her girlfriend because it was the right thing to do, it was the honourable thing to do, and when she really searched herself, she knew deep down that the love she had for her would last a lifetime, through hell and high water if that’s what was required. However, like a large stop sign in her mind, there was always a ‘but’. Ashley pushed any doubt away, reciting to herself over and over in her mind,the grass isn’t always greener, the grass isn’t always greener.

Madison entered the room with a black towel wrapped around her body, tied just above her breasts. The water glistened as drops ran slowly down her skin. The New York summer had already given her a sun-kissed glow. Her hair always changed in the summer and Ashley noted the ends turning a lighter shade of brown.

“Why are you hugging?”

“No reason,”Ashley said.

“Just love my friends that’s all,” Emily responded.

“And I just love hugs.” Jason skipped over to Madison and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her slightly offthe ground.

“All three of you are being weird, but I don’t have time to figure out why.”

“Why are you so late getting ready anyway?” Jason questioned, placing her backon two feet.

“I had to work a shift today. We were understaffed.”

“Joys of being the manager, honey.”

“Tellme about it.

If only I could pay myself triple-time for the inconvenience.”

“I hear you!” Jason preached.

Madison walked towards Ashley and allowed her lips to brush against hersdelicately.

“Hey, you.” She squeezed her hand and wandered towards the wardrobe in the corner. It was a sweet, brief moment that sent a shiver through Ashley’swhole body.

“Em, where are those jeans I let you borrow the other week?” Madison searched the wardrobeto no avail.

“They’re at the dry cleaners,” Emily respondedsheepishly.

“Why would they be at the dry cleaners?”

“I spilled a teeny tiny bit of red wine on them.”

Madison flapped her arms up and down like a bird. “Why am I notsurprised?”