Page 72 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

“Hey,sweetheart.” He’s back to joking with me again.Maybe he is finally healing after all this.He takes a seat at the table and folds his hands on the wood.

“What’s the craic?” I lean back in my chair.

“So, Selena mentioned she and Madison were talking about your trip this weekend. She’s been holed up here like the rest of us…I was hoping we could join you for Madison’s birthday celebration. Don’t feel pressured. She’s just been nagging me to get away.”

I focus on my paperwork for a minute, buying myself time to contemplate.

“Yeah, I don’t see why not. We have the space. There are two master bedrooms and a basement with bunks. Conor is coming for added backup. We could always have Kieran come if you guys join.”

“Perfect. We should take the jet. I’m surprised you didn’t plan on using it. It’s half yours now.”

“I completely forgot about that. My mind was all over the place on New Year’s. I was blindly signing paperwork. I’ll have to remember to make an appointment with the lawyer and go over everything again,” I laugh.

He stands and taps his knuckles on the table. “I’ll let the pilot know. Selena’s going to be thrilled.”

* * *

Madison wasfine with them joining us. She and Selena chatted the entire flight there. Those two have very similar personalities. Honestly, they’ve been getting along great. Killian and I discussed work as usual while the ladies discussed our weekend plans.

The house isincredible—a luxurious cabin overlooking the mountains. The rooms are cozy and intimate. Each room has a private balcony with hot tubs. The kitchen is fully stocked with snacks, meals, and drinks.Oh, and coffee. Can’t forget that.

Madison looks around in awe before leaping into my arms. She plants a huge kiss on my lips. “Oh Liam. Thank you! This is going to be the best birthday weekend!”

She slides off me, and she and Selena scurry off to look for Prosecco.

“Let’s get this party started!” Selena hollers down the hall.

I shake my head and retreat out front to light a cigarette. Killian follows and leans against the back of the car.

“Those two seem to be getting along well.” He stares back at the house.

I take a drag and blow out the smoke slowly. “Yeah, who would have thought,” I sigh, agreeing with the weirdness of our situation.

“She seems stressed lately. What’s been going on with her?” His eyebrows come together in concern.

“Maddy has been studying for her NCLEX.” I pull another drag of my cigarette.

“Ahh,” he nods.

I take a few more drags before I put it out in the ashtray on the porch.

We bring the bags in, dispersing them into our rooms. We are only here for a weekend, and the girls packed two huge suitcases each. I take a moment to look around. It is quite lovely here.

I wish it had been just the two of us.

Killian and I walk into the living room a few minutes later and sit on the couch. The girls are already drinking and have managed to find the sound system. They are blasting 90’s music and dancing around the kitchen. It’s nice to see my woman having a good time. She deserves it after everything she’s been through. The same goes for Selena. She seems happier and less anxious this time around. But there’s something there I don’t fully trust…and I can’t put my finger on it.

Madison makes two cocktails and brings them over to us. She hands Killian his then walks over to hand me mine. Dark hair brushes my face as she leans down to place a kiss on my lips. That kiss and her eyes hold a promise of all the naughty things we will do later.Ilook forward to it.

We enjoy a nice evening by the fire pit out back. All of us are drunk and laughing, finally relaxing after weeks of stress and awkwardness.

Selena stands on wobbly feet. “I think I drank a little too much,” she hiccups. “I am gonna call it a night.”

Killian stands to walk her back when she places a hand on his shoulder, making him sit back down in the wooden Adirondack chair. “Stay.” She kisses him. “You’re having fun. You never get to just relax.”

“I’ll make sure she gets back okay.” Kieran stands, placing a hand under her elbow to stabilize her. The walk back to the house is short but I know Killian would feel safer knowing she gets back there okay. Conor is back at the house, keeping an eye on it—and probably sexting Lexi.

And so there were three.

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