Page 33 of If We Meet Again

“Okay.” Ashley went to work; the tequila was poured first, followed by Ancho Reyes, a hint of lime and lastly, grapefruit juice. It was an acquired taste, one of her favourites, but the bitterness wasn’t for everyone. One by one she filled the requests of the customers, often doubling back to the most generous tippers. That was what paid her bills, so she favoured the lavish customers.

Madison appeared at her side in a hurry, “Don’t look now, but you will not believe who’s justwalked in.”

Ashley glanced towards the door.

“I saiddon’t look.”

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Yes,” Madison clarified.

“Why is she here? She doesn’t come here anymore.”

“Would it have anything to do with the fact you ignored her?” Madison raised her eyebrows suggestively. “The ball’s in your court now, Ash.”

Georgina Clark stood at the end of the bar, closest to the door. The silver pendant light fitting that ran along the bar stopped at the very edge, the intensity of the light revealing Georgina’s features in the darkly lit room. Ashley tried to concentrate on the $350 bottle of Dom Pérignon a gentleman had just ordered to celebrate his engagement, but it proved difficult. Dropping the most expensive bottle of champagne they served would have been a disaster. Once it was safely in the hands of the man, she could breathe again.

“Is she with him?”

“No, she’s with a group of girls.”

Ashley scanned the room, settling her gaze on Georgina. There was no denying she looked good; that was the difficult part. The long, flowing black hair partly covered her face, so Ashley could only make out her side profile. She remembered so vividly the way that hair smelled, what it was like to be kissed by those lips, and how it felt to be the one that Georgina wanted.

Madison nudged her back to reality. “Are you going to finish making that cocktail or what?”

They spoke in between serving customers, “Do you think I should go and talk to her?”

“Pass me that glass.” Madison pointed. “Not at all, she’s come here to try and make you feel uncomfortable and that’s not fair.”

“Has she though? Or is she just wondering why I’m ignoring her?”

“You can believe what you want Ash, but deep down you know she just wants to have her cake andeat it too.”

Ashley did know that—all too well. “You’re right.”

Madison reached for the cocktail strainer. “Look, she’s clearly jealous. That should make you feel good, there’s no harm in playing on that a little bit, just don’t get attached again.”

Againbeing the crucial word. There had to be a point when she’d feel unattached for that to work. The tension between them was obvious. Every time Georgina looked over, Ashleylooked away.

“Are you okay if I take a break?”

“Sure.”

She headed for the back area. Through the brown double doors stood a row of lockers, a brown leather sofa and a stand-alone coffee machine. She’d been on her feet for six hours solid, with only four to go. When she removed her phone, she was met with a missed call and a message from Megan. In that moment, she felt guilty that she hadn’t crossed her mind sooner. The minute she’d left the apartment that morning, Ashley’s attentions had turned to Georgina—out of habit,not desire.

The message read:

Hey, I tried calling. I forgot you’d be at work. Call me when you’ve finished? I have some news. Don’t worry if it’s late, I’ll wait up.

Ashley placed the phone back in her locker. Whatever the potential news could be was swiftly put to the back of her mind when she turned to find Georgina standing inthe doorway.

“What are you doingback here?”

“Hello,to you too.”

The garish yellow dress she wore was figure-hugging enough to make anyone look twice. If the intent had been to cause Ashley discomfort, then Georgina had already succeeded.

“What do you want, Georgina?”