One Chance

Chapter 17

Just as we sit down at the table Ashlyn starts speaking. She asks me a question which takes me by surprise.

" I heard your birthday is tomorrow and Amanda's is day after , but you both celebrate it on the same day? Why is that? "

I really don't know why it's of any use to her but then I am probably just being petty. So I answer," umm, our parents did it that way since we were kids because we were basically raised as twins. My parents did ask me as I got older if I wanted to celebrate it on my birthday instead of a day later, but I liked to celebrate it with Amanda and I wouldn't change it. "

" Sometimes it really feels like we were born on the same day too", Amanda adds.

We both give each other that knowing look and smile.

Mark then breaks his silence and says," Growing up they were inseparable. Any outsider would think they were sisters. It still hasn't changed a bit, though the obvious difference being how different they look. "

Amanda looks at him with a smile on her face but quickly looks away. I nudge her to tell her I noticed. She then glares at me and then pleads with me to keep quiet with her eyes.

" Did you want to hear the joke from earlier ", Ashlyn says all of a sudden breaking our secret exchange.

" Uh, oh right. The joke...well, some other time maybe. When is lunch Mark? Do you need any help ?", replies Amanda.

" I'm still preparing it. I just thought I'd come sit with you guys for a while. But I could use some help. So um if you are willing let's get lunch ready now." He says while getting up and heading to the kitchen while Amanda follows him , leaving me alone with Ashlyn.

Before I try to make an excuse Ashlyn speak up and says," Toby is coming right ? He should be here by dinner time. I haven't seen him in a while. Did you know we used to take long drives and trips often. Mark used to the third wheel most days. But it was so much fun. I miss those days. "

" That's nice! I'm sure they were great. " I say with a thin smile. " So um what do you do ? I ask trying to steer clear of any topic related to Toby for now.

" I work in a publishing house. I am one of their editors. This reminds me Toby told me you write online novels. I'd like to read them sometime. Who knows maybe you could get them published? " She says which totally takes me by surprise.

" Well yeah...., I do. I've only written two books till now. Uh I can send you the link if you'd like. I've never thought of publishing, but it would be nice to get your opinion on them. It is great to know that you are an editor. "

" Yeah, I kinda fell into the field by chance actually. I was studying business in college but then I attended a talk by one a writer once completed changed my field. I like it. I enjoy my job. " She says and the spark in her eye when she talks about me makes me happy.

" That sounds like a dream." I say genuinely meaning it.

" Yeah, Toby told me you work at the local newspaper. Was that always your dream? I read a few of your articles, they are well written. ".

"Thanks", I reply and before I can say anything else, she adds " you know what, just send me the link to the books. I'll read them and get back to you. "

" Okay. " I say and soon we exchange numbers and I send her the link.

" Thank you for this. I mean you are doing me a huge favour by doing this. I really didn't expect it. You are nice and I'm glad you are here. " I say feeling grateful.

" It's nothing really You seem like a nice person too. When Toby spoke about you it made me realize he has moved on. Let me assure you I have no intentions of getting in between the both of you. I probably would have maybe come here with the intention of getting back together with him but now I know we were a thing of the past. Sometimes there is no going back." She says and I feel like we could have been friends if she wasn't Toby's ex.