“I did, or maybe I still do. I don’t know. Obviously, we are worlds apart. Timing is everything these days. I have Madison now, so that only leaves room for us to be friends and I want to try and make that happen.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. She was sceptical. “Is that notdangerous?”
“Being friendswith Megan?”
“Yes, when you’re not really sure how you feelabout her?”
“I’m not sure how I feel about you, but you’re still my best friend,” Ashley teased.
“Can you just be serious forone second?”
Ashley wracked her brain for a way to explain it so that Emily would understand. Then sheremembered.
“Do you remember when you told me about that girl you dated in college? What was hername? Amy?”
“Yes, Amy.”
“You told me you wished you could have been her friend from the beginning. You jumped straight into dating and the relationship only lasted six months. Then, every time you saw her after that, it was awkward. You knew you could have been great friends, but you’d already crossed the line. After that, you tried, but her new girlfriend didn’t allow you to be friends because she foundit strange.”
“I see.”
“Even to this day, you see her on social media and you wish she was in your life. You told me that less thana year ago.”
“And that’s how you feel about Megan?”
“Exactly. I don’t want to regret not having herin my life.”
“If that’s truly how you feel, then I understand why you would keep it from Madison. I’d do the same. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come back to bite youin the ass.”
Ashley drew her knees to her chest and propped her head. “Life’s too short to fear the unknown, right?”
“I’m glad you said that. You should have no fear in asking Madison to be your girlfriend then.” Emily satback, smug.
“Touché.”
18
Ashley
Ashley awoke, exhausted from the weekend’s hectic shifts, coupled with the general lack of sleep. The nervousness she felt awaiting a response fromThe New York Timesinterview caused her to toss and turn throughout the night. Eventually, she fell asleep at four in the morning. The clock now read eight, and she wondered if she could sneak in a few extra hours, but the risk of missing the phone call was too daunting.
Madison stirred as she slipped silently out of bed. Grabbing her robe, she made it to the final floorboard before a creak disturbed the quiet.
Madison rolled onto her back and mumbled, “You okay?” She didn’t open her eyes.
“Yes, are you?” Ashley chuckled to herself. There was no response after that; she’d dozed back off, so she slipped out of the door unheard.
Their relationship had grown stronger after the meeting with Megan. She’d opted not to tell her about the ‘almost kiss’. Aside from that, she had spared no other details. Madison expressed her jealousy at hearing Megan was single, that combined with her outfit choice had sent her into a frenzy. Ashley reassured her, making it evidently clear she had nothing to worry about. After that, she saw it as a test—one they’d inevitably passed.
On some level, it deepened her feelings for Madison; overcoming a hurdle that allowed her to become in-tune with her feelings and understand the intensity of them. The wistful memory of Megan still dangled before her like hanging fruit in her mind, alluring her into the unknown, but she chose to ignore it. Any romantic thoughts were de-emphasised and pushed to the back of her mind in the hope of forming a solid friendship one day.
The kettle boiled on the stove as Ashley reached for her favourite mug. The antique store down the road sold unique coffee mugs, she’d gone with Madison a few months earlier to look for a gift for Nancy’s birthday. They’d spent half an hour looking at the different mugs and trying to decide which one matched their personality the most. They went to the extent of sitting in an antique rocking chair and picturing what each mug would look like on the rooftop whilst they enjoyed a freshly brewed coffee. Who searches for a mug to match their personality? The idea amused Ashley now, but the picture of Madison remained as her screensaver, reminding her of a simple time, but one that brought great joy. If you could have that much fun with someone in an antique store talking about mugs, surely that was the person you could spend the rest of your life with—she was getting aheadof herself.
The rain hammered against the windows for the first time in two weeks, so Ashley opted for the comfort of the sofa instead ofthe rooftop.
The benefit of Madison sleeping with her meant that Emily got to sleep in the second bedroom. No official swap had been made and Emily’s makeshift bedroom in the living room remained, but it allowed Ashley to get up early, make a coffee and watch TV without disturbing her sleep. They’d upgraded a year earlier from the cheap, wicker handmade partition to a sturdy, solid wood divider which gave more privacy, but it wasn’t soundproof—that’s why whenever she wanted company over she would forewarnor stay out.
Ashley’s phone started buzzing, bringing her back to the present. It was 8:20 a.m. and the number was one she didn’t recognise. Then it suddenly dawned on her who it could be, so she answeredimmediately.
