Page 107 of If We Meet Again

“You’re amazing, do youknow that?”

“I try.” Ashley winked.

Madison leaned across the table and delicately kissed Ashley on the lips. It was sweet and affectionate; a true sign of the love they had forone another.

“What about Em? Does she know?” Madisonquestioned.

She executed the poker face to perfection. “No.”

“You didn’t tell her? Oh, dear.”

“You know she would have told you before I did. She’s a nightmare. I’m sure she’ll get over it.” Little did Madison know that Emily and Jason were already planning the celebrations back home.

“Yeah, maybe by the time the wedding comes around. Shall I ring her and tell her?”

“No, wait until we get home. She’ll be so excited in person she might forget I didn’t tell her.”

“Wishful thinking. Does my mom know?”

“Not quite.”

Madison raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I didn’t tell her.”

“Oh.”

“Your mom scares me. I figured it would be better coming from you.”

“You’re such a chicken. Sheloves you.”

“Yeah, but does she love me enough to let me marry her daughter? Bearing in mind, three months ago, she asked you if you’d seen your childhood boyfriend whilst you were back in town.”

“You know she didn’t mean it like that. We stayed good friends.”

“Either way, I’d prefer you to tell her.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll call her tomorrow.”

“I did ask your dad, though.” Ashley smiled sincerely.

“You went tohis grave?”

“Yes, the last time I went to visit my mom. I remember going with you when we were growing up, but it’s been a while. We had agood chat.”

“I can’t imagine he had much to say.” Madison smiled softly. She was openly able to talk about her father’s death. After almost fifteen years, it still felt surreal to her that he wasn’t around, but she firmly believed he was always watching over her which allowed the trauma to fade over time.

“Well, this is how I interpreted the conversation.”

“Here we go.” Madison laughed.

“Basically, in a nutshell, he said I was the perfect person for his daughter—really kind, funny, polite, attractive—everything you could want really. He even went as far as to say that you would be absolutely insane to say no. He said as long as I look after his little girl, then I have his blessing.”

“He said all that did he? Even the attractive part?”

“His words not mine.” Ashley shrugged.

“Well, I totally agree with him.”