Page 87 of If We Meet Again

“Was thatnot weird?”

“For a few weeks after, it was certainly strange. We didn’t know how to act around each other. And then there was Emily, of course, who let us know exactly how she felt about it.”

“I can imagine that didn’t go down too well?”

“That’s an understatement.”

“That bad?”

Ashley nodded. “I got the cold shoulder for a while, but then she realised if we move into the same bedroom, she gets the other room rather than the makeshift one she currently has, which isn’t private enough now she has a girlfriend. Once she realised her benefit in the situation, she came around to the idea.”

“Can’t blame her, I suppose.” Megan shrugged. “So, are you guys acouple now?”

“Not officially. We wanted to take it really slow to make sure we don’t mess it up, I guess.”

“How does she feel about you coming here?”

The awkwardness of an almost kiss faded as Megan tried to pretend it hadn’t happened.

“I think it made her a little uncomfortable, but I assured her it wasn’tlike that.”

Megan’s heart dropped with the realisation that the night wasn’t what she hoped it would be. “It wasn’tlike that?”

“Like, romantically. I think people just assume because we had that connection that it always has to be that way. We can just be friends, right?”

The old we could be friend statement felt obligatory now. Ashley’s voice was calm and collected, but Megan sensed theuncertainty.

“We could.”

“But?”

“No but,”Megan said.

“Hmm, okay.” Ashley’s lopsided grin said otherwise.

“I feelstupid now.”

“Why?”

“For trying to kiss you when that wasn’t yourintention.”

“Don’t feel stupid.”

“I just thought you inviting me here, of all places…it kind of seemed like a date.”Was she losing her mind?The setting had the makings of a perfect date.

“I can see why you would think that. I’m sorry, I should have been clearer, it’s just not so easy.”

“What’s not?”Megan asked.

“Being around you in general, trying not to be too flirtatious. When you asked to see me, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d come, even if Madison hated the idea.”

Megan’s smile remained tight-lipped, she took satisfaction in knowing that Ashley felt the same pull she did, despite how hard she tried to ignore it. The next question was on the tip of her tongue. She so desperately wanted the answer, but feared it would be the opposite to what she hoped.

“Do you love her?”

Ashley offered a weak smile that faded quickly. “Yes.”

Megan crossed her arms. “It’s serious then?”