Page 15 of If We Meet Again

Ashley rolled her eyes. “Care toelaborate?”

“There is nothing to elaborate on. I thought she was straight.” Emily gladly accepted the aspirin and water provided.

“And?”

“Turns out,she’s not.”

Ashley almost choked on her coffee.“Oh, I see.”

“That could get awkward. What does she do?” queried Madison.

“She works as a receptionist on the same floor as me.” Emily took a big gulp of the ice-cold water. “Why would you assume it’ll get awkward?”

“Because it’s you,” Ashley chimed.

“You always do this,” Madison agreed.

“Do what?”

“Do we have to spell it out for you again? You find a straight girl, you sleep with her, she falls in love with you, you tell her you’re not looking for a relationship and move on to the next poor unsuspecting girl.”

“Why do you two always make out like I am so promiscuous?”

“Because you are!” Ashley and Madison screeched.

“Tell me how you really feel whydon’t you…”

Ashley savoured the last taste of coffee before joining Emily on the sofa. Madison made herself comfortable on the opposite side, so Emily was firmly sandwiched between them.

“Oh, come on, we’re only playing. Aside from the devastating hangover, did you have agood night?”

“From what I can remember, it was really good. Enough about me though, don’t you have yourdate today?”

“Yes, I was just telling Mads. I’mso nervous.”

“Why?”

“You saw her. How could I not be?”

“You have no reason to be nervous. She will love you.”

“You think?”

“I know she will.” Emily smiled sincerely. “I would normally get my kicks out of winding you up, but the truth is you’re amazing. You just need to be yourself.”

“Thank you.”

Ashley could recall a time when she thought Emily liked her as more than a friend. There had been rumours flying around for the first few months of their friendship, but Ashley downplayed them every time. The relationship was purely platonic on her part and she made sure to never blur the lines, which ultimately led to them having a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. Ashley relaxed back, admiring her two best friends and the ease with which they cohabited with one another—three years of memories she would cherish forever and so many more to come.

***

The morning passed by steadily. It was a rarity that all three of them had the same day off together. When the opportunity to sit, drink coffee and watch daytime re-runs arose, they jumped atthe chance.

“What time did you say you were meeting Megan?” Madison enquired.

“Why, whattime is it?”

“Almost twelve.”