Page 31 of If We Meet Again

“That’s basically the same thing,” Emily sniped.

“Don’t laugh because I’m not trying to sound cliché here, but I just felt like I already knew her. Sometimes dates can be a bit formal and uncomfortable, but she was familiar to me. The connection was clear from the second we started talking.”

“Okay, so what you’re saying is you’re in love after one date?” Emily baited.

Ashley rolled her eyes. “I literally hate you both.”

“On a serious note, how did the date go? I have to get back to work in twenty minutes so make it sharp.”

Emily noticeably turned her wrist to lookat the time.

“In short, it was amazing. Do you know the bar Nancy’s? On theeast side?”

“The place on Lexington that’s run by the old guy?” Madison replied.

“Yeah, well, turns out that’s her grandparents. Well, Nancy is her grandmother. They have an amazing love story and Megan took me to Central Park, told me all about it and said I should write it. I even met Nancy and she gave her blessing.”

“Seriously? That’s certainly a creativefirst date.”

“I was confused at first, but honestly it’s a beautiful story and I’d love to write about it.”

“What will you do? Approach some magazines with it?” Emilyquestioned.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead, but maybe this could be my breakthrough. They always say a personal story is more likely to getpublished.”

Madison smiled authentically. “I’m proud of you. It’s time to put yourself out there. I won’t allow you to be a bartender forever. You’ve got too much talent.”

“Thanks, Mads.”

Ashley’s skin tingled; a broad grin appeared. A love story like Nancy and Christopher’s filled her with joy. There was so much more to uncover, and she promised herself she would do the article justice. It would beRomeo and Juliet, but with a happilyever after.

“Oh god, I almost forgot.”

Emily slid from the booth, ready to leave. Almost knocking over the waitress and the tray of drinks she so delicately balanced, “What is it?”

“Last night, when I text you saying we were on our way to the apartment, I had a text message from Georgina.”

“Georgina, as in your ex, Georgina?”

“Yep.”

“Whatdid it say?”

Ashley removed her phone from her pocket and read out the message in question. “I know you’ve been with a girl today. My sister saw you together at Dos Caminos. Why didn’t you tell me you were dating someone else? Did I mean that little to you?”

Madison scoffed, “She’s gotsome nerve.”

“She’s kidding, right? After the crap she put you through?”

Emily sat back down, visibly annoyed.

“Don’t you need to get to work?”

“Work can wait five minutes. So, what didyou reply?”

Ashley shrugged, “I didn’t. I don’t know how to respond. I was occupied last night, but now Megan’s gone all I can think about is Georgina.”

“Please tell me you wouldn’t consider getting back together with her?”