Page 8 of A Promise For Tomorrow

It brings me so much joy being able to socialize with my customers and get to know them. Plus, the unlimited free coffee—that’s always a perk.Yes, that was a stupid coffee pun.

After a few months, I befriended a few of the regulars, becoming an active participant in their juicy gossip. I tried my hand at baking, which is a work in progress. My thirst for knowledge even led me to researching the different regions coffee is grown, including the different types of rich soil it requires to prosper.

The new experience continued to inspire me, encouraging me to venture out and take a few baking classes. Which was actually ridiculously fun.Especially when you get to eat your treats after.

My mind has started to conjure up ways to open up my own shop one day. It’s what has kept my mind off of Diego and Liam.Well, the majority of the day.Night comes rolling around and it’s a whole different story. Majority of the time they are sleepless and contain a few good cry sessions.

Anyways…we were all celebrating at Simon and John’s, baking Christmas cookies and drinking Prosecco. Which was followed up with some really good whiskey Conor had brought. Killian granted him a few days to spend with Lexi for the holidays. Being the ever doting boyfriend, he even joined us in wearing an ugly sweater—it was absolutely hysterical.

So as we were rolling out the dough, and drinking our whiskey on the rocks, he tells us the story of the time Lainey and Liam got into a flour fight while baking Christmas cookies. Apparently, flour was all over the kitchen and each other. Both of them spent the remainder of the night cleaning it up. That part I handled…well…ish…even though jealousy worked its ugly serum into my veins.

He proceeds to spill the beans that Kieran had just sent him a picture of them reenacting thatsaidflour fight. Of course, being the divas and shit stirrers they are, Simon and John beg to see the picture. Conor is halfway through the bottle of whiskey at this point, so he willingly shows everyone his phone. I told myself not to look.

But you should know me by now, right? Of course I did.

Liam has his arms wrapped around Lainey—who kept her dark locks of hair—in case you were wondering.Flour is coated all over their faces and lashes. Liam is sporting the biggest smile. Lainey is organically laughing with her hand cradling Liam’s face and a palm full of flour in the other. Killian, Selena, and the rest of the guys are in the background with looks of laughter and tears in their eyes.

I ended up smiling and laughing at the picture along with everyone else in the room. Lexi shot me a sympathetic look before I excused myself to the restroom. And that pretty much summed up my Christmas. All I could think of before bed was ifLiam was happy. And if he was, then I wanted him to be. He didn’t deserve for me to have ended things the way I did.

I was so ready to give us another shot… that is… before Diego rose from the dead. And then I just threw his heart on the ground at the airport drop off. Even after all he did for me and how patient he was during my period of grief.

Grief over another man.

Another man that’s my husband.

My husband that wasn’t in fact dead.

He deserves better. So much better.

Relishing that last sip of my second coffee, I glance out the window. The New York lights are twinkling up at me from below.

We must be close.

Earlier, after being tongue-tied, I left Diego standing in the bedroom with the excuse that I needed to call my mom.Which, I did.

But it was his closeness, his pouring his heart and soul out to me that had me running. He remained back there for the majority of the flight, watching TV. I couldn’t bring myself to join him. Too nervous to lie next to him on that bed.

Maybe he fell asleep? Just as I consider checking on him, the bathroom door clicks shut and the shower turns on alerting me he’s up.

I guess he’s getting ready for the gala tonight.I wonder if he had a date prior to my untimely arrival? Maybe she’s waiting for him now.

The flight landsaround 7:00 PM. It feels like so much time has passed–considering the three-hour time difference. Mom let me know that Dad had just gone in for surgery. They moved him up from his original scheduled time at 8:30 PM.Diego managed to take his seat only a few minutes before we landed looking refreshed and smelling divine. He hasn’t said anything to me since our little show-and-tell moment in the bedroom.

With haste, I grab my bag from Amy and sling it over my shoulder, quickly thanking her and descending the stairs. Diego reaches out and snags the strap, pulling me backward into his chest.

“Give me this. And stop rushing. I don’t need you falling down these stairs and breaking your goddamn neck,” he practically growls, before slinging my bag over his shoulder and lacing our hands together.

I chance a look at him, but can’t decide what’s going on in that brain of his. Black sunglasses shield his beautiful eyes from me. Seems he’s still keeping a low profile—at least for now.

He steps in front of me, guiding us down the remaining stairs. When we reach the bottom, a blacked-out Escalade pulls up. The door opens and my heart drops into my stomach. Liam, in all his masculine glory, jumps out of the passenger seat and jogs over to us.

He has on his signature leather jacket, black jeans, and a black v-neck. His beard is just as scruffy as it was in the Christmas cookie picture. The dark strands of his hair are all messy and disheveled…most likely from running his hands through it one too many times. He’s even filled out more—looking broader and more defined, if possible.

I wonder if Liam and Diego have been hitting the gym together? Wouldn’t that be a sight to see.

Diego releases my hand and steps forward to clasp Liam’s, pulling him into a back-slapping hug. If my mouth wasn’t already hanging open, it is now.What the actual fuck is this bromance?Liam returns the sentiment, slapping his back in exchange, except his eyes are glued to mine.

Butterflies assault my stomach, the intensity of their swarmmaking me dizzy. It’s probably just my ears popping and my body regaining a sense of equilibrium.Riiight, Maddy.That’s exactly it.

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