Page 59 of If We Meet Again

“No,” Emily raised her eyebrows, “nothappening.”

“You haven’t even let me finish.” Ashley’s nervous laughter filled the room. The reaction wasas expected.

“You don’t need to. I know exactly what you’re going to say.”

Ashley had been gathering the courage all day to make her best friends aware that she planned on inviting Georgina on their night out.

“Emily, come on, we are going out to celebrate. Can it just be civil forone night?”

“I don’t mind if you want to damage your own mental wellbeing, that’s up to you, but forcing it upon meisn’t fair.”

“She isn’t that bad, the cheating aside.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “She is undoubtedly the most self-absorbed, infuriatingly annoying person I have ever met.”

“Say how you really feel.”

“Well, she is. What she’s done to you in the past is bad enough, but if I have to sit and listen to her tell stories about her holidays on an island with Richard Branson, Iwill flip.”

“You know she’s never been on holiday with Richard Branson, right?”

“It’s hypothetical. I can’t actually remember who she said because I stoppedlistening.”

Ashley traced the edge of the large blue coffeemug. “Okay.”

“Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Youknow what.”

Ashley’s pleading expression looked like that of a puppy wantingto be loved.

“Nope.”

“That look. You always give me that look when you want me to co-operate. It’s infuriating.”

Said look continued for a few more seconds. “It works though, doesn’t it?” Ashley poutedfor effect.

“Annoyingly, yes.” Emily placed her mug in the sink. “I needto shower.”

“Will you behave? Please?”

She paused, walked around the island and ruffled Ashley’s hair from behind. “Only for you.”

“You’re the best.”

“I know. Now, get ready, we don’thave long.”

Emily’s idea of being on her best behaviour involved enough tequila that she couldn’t remember the night, which allowed for an occasional slur of abuse that would then be taken lightly due to her intoxication. Ashley preferred that over thealternative.

It was a Friday night, the first one Ashley hadn’t worked since Megan was in town. The thought of Megan often brought a wave of emotion that was difficult to process. She created the idea in her mind that Megan would be there to celebrate the article even though she knew that couldn’t happen—just the fantasy alone made her smile. Regardless of the distance, there was still a prominent desire to build a relationship—a desire that was unrelenting at times. She remembered vividly her mom telling her,‘You always want what you can’t have, but in the end, it leaves you heartbroken, it ruins your life’.She had been referring to her father. His take on the situation, however, was completely different.

Did the mounting desire for Megan only exist because she was unattainable?The thought accompanied her in the shower, whilst she got changed and it followed her intothe evening.

It was 8:00 p.m. when she entered Nancy’s with Georgina on her arm, followed closely by a reluctant Emily and Madison. They’d been talkative in the cab ride over, involving her in conversation. Emily only rolled her eyes on one occasion when Georgina started to reel off all the designer handbags she owned. The self-centred part of her personality made Ashley wish she could detach herself from the situation, but Georgina was a welcome distraction and walking away was easier said than done.

Jason waved from the bar as they entered. Wearing a cream suit jacket buttoned up with no t-shirt, a single gold earring and some flashy sequined loafers—he oozed style. Ashley was eager to meet his new boyfriend. They’d been together for five weeks and she was yet to have the pleasure.