Page 72 of If We Meet Again

Ashley took a seat next to Madison. Her eyes scanned the room—it was filling up. She noticed her uncle in the corner with his wife and kids. A couple of Samantha’s old friends from school were there; one of their cousins sat uncomfortably at the end of the table, she’d always been socially awkward. Ashley was surprised at how many people had willingly taken the five-hour plane journey from New York. It was a testament to Samantha, either that or she’d threatened them all with social media slurs and the fear of spilling secrets—the latter was possible.

“She’s attractive, isn’t she?”Ashley said.

“Megan?”

“Well, that’s obvious, but I meant hergirlfriend.”

“Do I sense a hint of jealousy?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

“Maybe a little.”

“She’s attractive, yes, but she’s not as attractive as you.” Madison placed her hand on Ashley’s arm. To an outsider, it would seem more intimate than intended.

“Are you flirting with me again?”

“Shut up, she’s looking. I’m doing you a favour.”

Ashley turned her head toward the gifting table where Megan was last located. Madison pulled it back quickly with the hand that wasn’t currently holding onto Ashley’s arm.

“Don’t make it obvious, you idiot. Pretend like she’s not even there. That will drive her wild.”

“Why though? She isn’t thinking about me.”

“Course she is. I guarantee you.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“I saw her face when she saw you.”

“Shocked?”

“No. It was morethan that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember when we went to watch that low-budget play? It was the most random thing, that guy approached us and asked if we wanted tickets for $10? They were just trying to fill the seats. Do you remember?”

“Yeah, of course, it actually turned out to be really good.”

“And do you remember what you said to me at theend of it?”

“Nope.”

“You said,‘I hope someone looks at me one day the way the two main characters looked at each other’.”

“Okay.”

“That’s how Megan just looked at you.”

Ashley recalled the play in question, the way the male lead had gazed at the female lead so intently. The looks had captivated her, made her believe in true love, even for a brief fleeting minute. It was desire, passion and intrigue all rolled into one. Ashley had even gone to the trouble of staying behind to congratulate the unknown leads. The play had touched her, but she remembered the intensity of that gaze—no way had Megan looked at her that way.

“I don’t believe that.”

“You weren’t watching her.”