Page 86 of If We Meet Again

“Crazy, isn’t it?”

“What’s the position?”

“It’s an editing residency, so they basically show you the ropes and mould you to be the next big editor. There are only six positions available. I find out next Monday.”

“That’s honestly incredible. Did the interview go well?”

“I think so. The editor that interviewed me was called Sonia. She was super chatty and I think she liked me.”

“Well, obviously she did. I’m sure you charmed your way to a position.” Megan hid the seductive smile behind her drink.

“I don’t knowabout that.”

“Please,” Megan scoffed, “you are super charming and you know you are.”

“Says who?”

“Says me,” Megan whispered.

Ashley felt the gap between them close as Megan edged even closer. The scene before her had been played out in her dreams over and over. The moment she saw Megan again; there would be no complications, no barriers standing in the way of them becoming whatever they wanted to be, except that was a dream and Ashley knew the reality. The very sudden and apparent reality that had manifested in the previous six months. The desire to kiss Megan again had built within her body for a long time. She wasn’t entirely sure if she would ever have the opportunity again, but the desire was suppressed by her conscience and her inability to forget her recentcommitments.

“I can’t,” Ashley whispered, causing Megan to pause just as her lips parted—she was within inches of kissing her. Ashley’s heart raced. She felt guilty—the longing was so powerful that her ability to say no was being tested like never before.

“I’m seeing someone.”

16

Megan

The warmth of Ashley’s breath grazed her lips. For a brief moment, she said nothing at all, only held the position she’d been so eager to create. Staring into Ashley’s eyes, she saw the same desire she felt inside—the prominent rise and fall of her chest made it clear that she was trying with all her willpower to resist Megan’s advances.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Megan said, pulling away inch by inch. The feel of blood rushing to her cheeks warmed her face.

“Why would you? It’s not exactly public knowledge atthis point.”

Reluctant to know, she asked anyway, “Who’s thelucky girl?”

Ashley hesitated. “Madison.”

If Megan’s wide eyes didn’t give away the surprise, her gaping jaw certainly did. “As in, your best friend Madison?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, that I wasn’texpecting.”

“It came as a surpriseto me too.”

“How long have you guys been seeingeach other?”

“Probably more seriously for the past five or six months, but things kind of changed after the baby showerlast year.”

“How did that happen? You guys have been friends forever?” Megan returned to her upright position. The lingering lean felt inappropriate now.

“Honestly? I’m not sure. I think I told you about Madison telling me she liked me a few years ago? Since then, I have kind of always known it, but I made it crystal clear at every opportunity that we were best friends—completely platonic best friends. The last thing I wanted was to ruin ourfriendship.”

“What changed?”

“Things started getting a little more flirtatious between us last year. We found ourselves single at the same time, which hasn’t happened at all, I don’t think, since we were probably eighteen. One night we got drunk and things happened.”