Page 106 of If We Meet Again

Ashley raised her glass, “To us.”

“And our future,” Madison finished.

She took a sip of her drink. Thankfully, the nerves had subsided allowing her to enjoy the night.

“Thank you for indulging me.”

“By dancing in the terminal?” Ashley nodded. “You buy me a ring like this and I’ll dance naked in the middle of a crowded arena.”

“You will not! I can’t have everyone else seeing my fiancée naked.”

“That sounds weird, being someone’s fiancée.”

Ashley shrugged indicating it wasn’t that big of a deal. “I’m kidding. It’s a huge deal.”She winked.

“Is there a twenty-four-hour window where I can revoke my answer? Just in case.” Madison teased.

“Nope, it’s set in stone now. You’re all mine forever and ever,” Ashley laughed like a villain.

“Suppose people have had to dealwith worse.”

The strong smell of lime juice from her Moscow Mule filled her senses. “Do you know why I brought you here atthis time?”

“No,” Madison said, shaking her head.

“This is the time we arrived in New York City fiveyears ago.”

“Really? How do you remember thingslike that?”

“I only remember the important things.”

“I did think it was a little late, you know. You were stalling at dinner earlier. Now it makes sense.”

Ashley sat back in the chair and told the story. “We arrived at 11:00 p.m., we saw a couple at the whispering arch and then we came to this very bar and sat in these very seats. If you remember we were so annoyed because it shut at midnight.”

“And the bartender let us stay whilst hecleared up!”

“Yes, he was great! I think I recall asking you to get his number.” Ashley smirked, “Ah, the days when you weren’t sure if you were ready to give up men for good.”

“Well, there’s no going back now is there.” Madison flashed her diamond ring.

“The reason I brought you here is to see how we’ve come full circle; that was the start of our new life. At the time, we were best friends, but even so, you were still the person I wanted to explore life with. It’s nostalgic in a way. Now, you’re still the person I want to explore life with, except I want you to do itas my wife.”

“You’ll make me cry again.” Madison dabbed the corner of her eyes with a napkin. “Thank you, for doing everything so perfectly.” She reached across the table to intertwine her fingers with Ashley’s.

“You deserve perfect.”

“What I want to know is, did you have any help choosing this gorgeous ring?” Madison admired the rock on her fingeronce again.

“Nope. I’m your best friend as well, remember. I know what your ideal ring would be. You never stopped talking about it after we saw it in the window of Louis Martin.”

“Is this theexact one?”

“Of course.”

“Wow, I knew it looked similar, but I can’t believe it’s that ring. I saw that before we were together.”

“I know. Luckily, they stillstocked it.”