"Are you set?"

RAY'S POV

Okay. I had impulsively asked Mia on a dinner date but now, I can seem to be able to stop my racing heart.

I found out from Kira that she loves Italian so I made a reservation at an Italian restaurant. The rest of the day went in a breeze and soon it was past 6.

As I buttoned up my shirt, Sam's voice broke through the silence. "It's been a while since you went on a date. When was the last time that happened? 2 years or so?" I could hear the concern in his voice as he asked the question.

'3 years,' I answered within myself.

He was having game time with Phoebe and his sister when I called him, desperate for a little help getting ready for my date.

My mind started racing on what the evening is gonna be like.

'Will Mia like where we'll be going?'

'Hope I won't mess things up?'

'Am I supposed to be doing this?'

'I had vowed not to.'

And my mind drifted to when I made the vow. I looked at myself in the mirror, staring blankly at my reflection as the memories of the conversation with Ashley the night before she disappeared played through my mind like a movie.

I could still hear her voice, full of excitement about her modeling appointment the next day. I smiled, even though she couldn't see me, and told her how amazing I knew she would do.

"Hey, how was your day?" I asked as I leaned back against the couch cushions.

"It was good. I have a modeling appointment tomorrow, so I'm excited about that," Ashley replied, a smile in her voice.

"Oh, that's great. I'm sure you'll do amazing," I said, smiling even though she couldn't see me.

"I hope so. I miss you, though. It's been a few weeks since we last saw each other," she said, a hint of sadness in her tone.

"I know, I miss you too. But we'll see each other soon, I promise," I reassured her.

"I can't wait. Good night, Ray. I love you," she said.

"I love you too. Good night, Ashley," I replied, hanging up the phone with a smile on my face.

But I never knew that was the last time I will ever hear from her.

The next day, I waited all day for a call or message from her, but nothing came. I tried reaching out to her, but she didn't answer.

I kept staring at my phone and checking it at the sound of any notification, hoping it was a message from her. But nothing came.

I was worried and my mom noticed, trying to calm me down.

"Ray, are you okay?" My mom had asked as I sat in the kitchen lost in thought.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied.

"You've been staring at that wall for hours. Is something on your mind?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

I sighed and leaned back against the couch cushions. "I was just thinking about Ashley. I still don't know what happened to her."

My mom placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Honey, sometimes things happen and there's nothing we can do but wait. You can't keep beating yourself up over it. You just have to hope for the best."

The days turned into weeks, and before I knew it, two months had passed without any word from Ashley.

It wasn't until I saw her name on Facebook that I realized she was well and alive, she had just decided to stop calling and had moved on.

Ashley's name popped up under the People You May Know section, and I couldn't believe it when I saw that she was in a relationship.

My heart felt like it was being ripped in two as I saw pictures of her with her new boyfriend, smiling and happy. I tried sending her a friend request, but she never responded.

When I finally mustered up the courage to message her, she didn't reply. It was like I didn't even exist to her anymore.

The pain of being forgotten and discarded was like a physical ache in my chest. I vowed to stay away from relationships from then on. The thought of experiencing that kind of heartbreak again was too much to bear.

"Ray? Ray!" He called out a little louder this time.

"Yeah, yeah," I responded, shaking my head.

"You were lost in thought, Ray. What's wrong?" he asked, trying to get to the bottom of my distraction.

"It's just that I haven't gone on a date since… " I trailed off, my words heavy with unspoken emotions that I know he understands.

"Ray," Sam interrupted, trying to lighten the mood. "Forget about the past and let's dwell in the present. I know it's not been easy but you just have to move on."

I nodded, understanding his words.

"Come on, a hot babe who left you speechless when you first met is waiting for you. So stop this childish act and hit the road," Sam said, trying to encourage me.

I couldn't help but smile at his words, feeling a tap on my shoulder as he leaned in close. "Thanks, bro," I said, grateful for his support.

"Are you set?" Sam asked, standing back to assess my appearance.

"I guess so," I replied, feeling a little nervous.

"Dressing…. Check," Sam said, his eyes running over my outfit. I was wearing a buttoned-down shirt with blue jeans, feeling a little self-conscious under his scrutiny.

"Perfume" Sam sniffed around me. "Check."

"Car keys?" I swung the keys in his face, trying to play along. "Check."

"Gas? You can't leave a lady stranded on the way, or tell her to catch a bus." Sam asked, making sure I was prepared for the evening ahead.

"Yeah… I filled it up this morning," I replied, feeling a little more confident.

"Wallet?" I brought it out and showed him enough cash. "Check."

"You are set," Sam said finally, giving me a reassuring pat on the back.

I pulled him into a hug, feeling a surge of gratitude toward my friend. "Go get her and if you need anything, call me," he said, his words filled with encouragement.