Page 3 of A Promise For Tomorrow

“He was stable enough to transfer to where his surgeon does his open heart surgeries.”

I cup a trembling hand around my mouth. “Oh my God, Mom. Okay. Yeah, I’m coming home. I’ll book something right now.”

“I love you, sweetheart. I have to run and call Mikayla. Call me when you land.”

“Fuck.”I can’t get any last-minute flights. Tonight is the busiest night of the year to travel.” I let out an aggravated sigh of frustration.

“I just got off the phone with customer service. They won’t let me transfer my ticket over to you this soon before boarding. I even explained the severity of it,” Lexi growls from her seat at the kitchen island. Her laptop is there with about twenty different airline tabs open on her browser.

“Fucking gobshites,” Conor sneers. A hesitant look crosses his face as he takes a moment to look at me. “I have an idea. I’ll ask Killian if he will lend me the jet. Then we can all head to New York together.”

I chew on my thumbnail, not wanting to ask him for anything. After a pregnant pause, I nod my head.What choice do I have left?

Time is ticking.

And it’s incredibly precious.

He dials Killian, pressing the phone to his ear. A few seconds go by before he shakes his head. He didn’t answer.Damn it. Conor looks back up at me, seemingly thinking the same thing.

“Callhim,” I confirm with a sigh.

This time he doesn’t hesitate. Con places it on speaker. It rings twice before Liam’s husky voice fills the line. “Hey, brother. Have you decided if you are using those tickets to come to New York tonight?” His excitement over seeing his newly engaged best friend has my heart beating faster beneath my ribs.

“About that…Maddy’s father is at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He had a major heart attack and is scheduled for a triple bypass later this evening.” Before he has the chance to continue explaining, Liam interrupts.

“What the fuck? Is she okay? Is she on her way to New York?” Anxiety laces his tone.

Muffled conversations are going on in the background. It’s hard to make out who else is whispering.

“We’ve been trying all morning to get a flight out there for her. We even tried to swap our tickets for her, but the airlines won’t allow it. Which is why I was going to ask if?—”

“Yes. It’s done. The jet is all yours. Take the flight with her so she isn’t alone,” he demands.

I let out a sigh of relief which does nothing to slow my frantic heart.

More hushed chatter fills the line, this time way louder.

Then my heart feels like it stops entirely.

“You know my jet is faster than yours. It will get there in practically half the time. Give me the phone, I’ll set it up,” a voice like whiskey offers.

“Let go of my phone, Diego. Christ, you’re fucking overbearing sometimes,” Liam chuckles in the background.Huh? What the hell is this semi-friendly relationship between them?

My phone buzzes in my hand, starting my heart back up. I glance down at the text—scratch that last part—it just stopped again and took a massive nosedive dive into my stomach.

Unknown

Mariposita, I’m sorry to hear about your father. What kind of husband would I be if I didn’t send you one of the fastest jets in the world? Please don’t be your stubborn self and deny the help. The jet is still yours and it’s preparing to pick you up in Arizona. Tell Conor and Lexi to keep their flight. The hospital won’t allow anyone beyond family in the waiting room. They may as well enjoy the Gala and their engagement celebration.

Unknown

If your Dad is anything like you, he’s strong. He’s gonna pull through this, baby.

“It’s done, Liam. Tell Conor we’ll see them later and congratulations,” Diego’s baritone voice registers through the haze in my brain.

“You heard him, Con,” Liam says almost defeatedly. “I’ll send ya the details shortly.”

Lexi’s worried gaze lands on me before I meet her eyes. Clasping my hands together I turn on my heel.

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