Page 27 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

I don’t plan on texting him any of those things.

Lexi leaves me to my thoughts. Liquid courage courses through me, making me feel bold. I retrieve my phone from my crossbody purse. Keeping my cigarette tucked in the corner of my mouth, I type out a text to Liam:

Madison

Hi.

Before I can chicken out, I hit send. My heart palpitates in my chest with anxiety.

Bubbles pop up, showing he is typing.

Then they disappear.

I pull another drag of my cigarette in. Then blow it toward the clear night sky.

I wait.

And then wait a few more minutes.

But nothing comes back.

I feel stupid now. I should have left well enough alone. Dropping my cigarette in the sand bucket, I walk back inside. Liam wants nothing to do with me. I just need to accept the loss.

“Let’s go, Maddy! We are up next,” Lexi screams over the jukebox playing.At least I won’t lose in beer pong.We are always the champs. I smile and try to forget about Liam once again.

I’mon the private jet home to New York whenhertext comes in. An electric current runs through my body as I see her name light up my screen.

Madison.

There has not been a day since I left that this woman hasn’t crossed my mind. There have been numerous times I typed an entire paragraph out—just to erase it. Fuck, I miss her.

Her laugh.

Her smile.

Her smart mouth.

But that’s just the physical. I miss all of her. I miss her mind, her heart, the way she cares for everyone in her presence.

Madison

Hi.

I go to respond without thinking. My heart overriding my mind.

Liam

Hi there, love. Are you okay?

Then I rememberwhat I had just done a few weeks ago. Killed a man who we have been rivaling with.Selena’s father. Head of the Cuban Syndicate in Miami.

That right there is the reason we can’t be together. Why weshouldn’tbe together. She deserves better than this. Better than me.

Regretfully I erase the message and slide my phone back into my jeans pocket.Out of sight, out of mind. Right?I take a sip of whiskey, lean my head back on the leather seat, and close my eyes. My mind wanders with ideas of what she could be doing right now.Where is she? Who is she with? What did she want to say to me?

* * *

The house looks fantastic,as usual. Christmas decorations are distributed throughout the space. It smells of sugar cookies, pine—and the familiar scent ofhome. Jack has an exceptionally talented designer who decorates every year for the holidays. Just wait until you see how they decorate for the gala.

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