I glanced nervously at the clock on her far wall and wondered how long I had been up here waiting. As every minute passed I feared that Ashley had backed out of the evening. I heard the doorknob turning and I stood up abruptly anxiously watching for someone to emerge. Ashley stepped through and smiled a winning smile my way causing my insides to warm. How I had missed that smile.

She closed and locked the door behind her. She tossed the keys on the counter and stood nervously with her arms to her side. I wasn’t aware of how I looked in her eyes because all my blood had seemed to drain from my body refusing to let any of my limbs move. We stood staring at one another in a comfortable silence.

She cleared her throat all of a sudden and broke the trance. I smiled at her and bit my lower lip.

“Hey Ash.”

“Hey Spence.”

“So…”

“Do you feel as awkward about this as I do?” She asked me sincerely.

“Probably more so actually.” I said shyly.

“Well are you hungry?”

“A little…I’m not sure if I should be eating though…my stomach is in knots.”

“Yeah mine too. You want to sit down and talk?” She said gesturing to the couch.

“Sure.” I walked my way over to the couch and sat on one side. Ashley followed and sat at the other end.

We looked at one another and burst out laughing. We laughed so hard that tears began to form in our eyes and we were having a hard time breathing.

Ashley calmed herself and tilted her head. “I have missed your laugh so much.”

“I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. Man Spence…I still can’t believe you are here. This is so crazy.”

“I know…I find it hard to believe too.”

“Can I ask you something?” She said hesitantly.

I looked at her and saw that she was debating in her head what she wanted to say to me. I took a deep breath and nodded for her to continue.

“I know this is a bit forward but…have your feelings for me…changed?”