Page 7 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

“I’ve got it.” He gets up and points to the couch. “Now, sit your pretty arse down.”

While Liam is gone, my phone dings with a notification from the dating app. I scroll through and delete a bunch of messages that start off withDTF?I mean, really?

A notification chimes on my phone. I glance down to see who it’s from. My face heats and my heart starts pounding wildly. The world even seems to be spinning. I open the message with shaky hands:

Killian

I don’t mean to come off so strongly, but I noticed you left my message on read, and you are online right now. I promise I’m not a stalker. I just know when a beautiful woman wants nothing to do with me. I want to wish you the best and hope you’re having a lovely night. Cheers.

FUCK!I don’t want to miss my chance. There is something about him that makes me want to know him. What kind of loss did he experience? He’s absolutely gorgeous. Why is someone like him on a dating app? He must have women throwing themselves at him. With the liquid courage coursing through me, I throw caution to the wind and type my response:

Madison

Hello, Killian. I was not ignoring you, more so giving myself time to craft a response. I found your messages to stick out amongst all the creepy ones! I don’t think you’re a stalker lol, just persistent. You don’t seem the type to scare off too easily. I like that. I found your message to be equally charming and intriguing. I would like to get to know one another as well. Hope you’re having a great night too.

I hit send, and pray I am making the right decision. I guess Leah’s right—my life will change tonight…

And how right she was.

Almost immediately, my phone chimes with a response:

Killian

I’m flattered that I stand out to you amongst the ‘creepy ones’. All sarcasm aside, I’m truly honored you chose me to get to know. A gorgeous woman like yourself shouldn’t be broken-hearted so young. Life is crazy, unpredictable and intense, but that should never stop you from opening your heart again. Would you mind telling me about yourself? Or shall I go first?

Butterflies swirl in my stomach but thewarningkind. I’m not sure why. Maybe it is the thrill of online dating or the fact that this man knows all the right words to say. Regardless, I start to type a response when Liam returns.

“Who’s putting that smile on your face?” he jokes as he hands me my drink.

I glance down, noticing he got me my cran vodka. Trying to school my face—and failing miserably, I pat the seat next to me and place my phone back inside my wristlet. I take a quick sip and leave it on the table before folding my hands in my lap.

“So as I mentioned, we need to catch up,” I pop the P at the end. He squints his brown eyes at me. Tonight they look darker than they usually do.If that’s even possible.

“Woman, you’ll be the death of me,” he whispers as he walks around the couch. I would have missed it if the song didn’t end at thatexactmoment.

Is it wrong I am turned on by him acting more protective—borderline possessive of me? I am starting to think tonight isn’t one sided.Great, Maddy. You get out for one night, and suddenly you’ve turned into the biggest hornball.Flirting with a guy on the internet, and now the bouncer—who you’ve always had a great connection with, but haven’t seen in over a year.

Liam takes a seat next to me, placing his arm around the back of my head. He keeps some distance between us as he rests his hand on the top of the cushion.

“I know how hard it was to get out here tonight, to try and be yourself again when it feels like nothing is the same...or ever will be. I lost my mum to breast cancer when I was ten. I know it’s not the same as losing a boyfriend, but the grief is very much the same,” he sighs, his gaze moving to the fire.

“My best mate, his da took me in when I had no one, and it was…it was anadjustment. I was angry, I was hurting, and I felt numb. I lashed out a lot as a result. His dad taught me how to channel my feelings. And how to turn pain into a tool to help power my success. I started to feel whole again. To feel like I belonged to a family again,” he continues, turning back to face me.

He takes my hand in his and stares directly into my eyes. “You can allow the pain to destroy you or forge you, and Maddy—you are meant to be forged by the fire that is still burning inside you. You arestrong, beautiful, and smart. One day when the time is right, a man will come along and set that fire ablaze—even if it means burning himself in the process.”

A tear escapes my eye and slides down my cheek at his poetic words. Liam reaches up to rub it away with his thumb, twining his fingers in my hair. My mind is so confused right now—fuzzy even. I stare down at his lips while leaning my head into his hand.It feels amazing. Strong yet gentle at the same time. Everything about this man is a paradox. My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips.

As Liam leans in closer, my heart begins to palpate, forcing me to take a few breaths. He’s going tokiss me. My vision blurs, and I realize I’m crying more than I was. Liam kisses my cheek, taking my tears with him as he approaches my lips. I place my hand on his scruffy cheek, preparing for his lips to claim mine.He smells so fucking good.I squeeze my thighs together to try and dull the ache between them, but that only makes it worse.

“Mad Maddy! Leah slurs, wrapping her arms around me. Oblivious to what was happening between Liam and I. Carly is right on her tail, stumbling in her heels as she makes her approach.Impeccable timing.The Universe really has it out for me.

I once again put distance between Liam and I before taking a huge swig of my drink. I need to cool this heat radiating within me.

“Come on. It's midnight—time to celebrate Carly’s “official” twenty-first birthday with a round of shots!” Leah practically sings as she air quotes the “official” part.

Liam clears his throat and smiles up at her. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that, lass.”

“Oh, Liam.” Leah shifts towards him. He stands to help support her as she wobbles over to give him a loud kiss on the cheek. “You are the besssstttt!”

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