Page 18 of A Promise For Tomorrow

My gaze darts over to Sel walking towards the bar and I nearly choke on my drink. Madison is with her and they are heading directly our way. She looks beautiful in her black dress. One of my favorites. The one that hugs her curves in all the right places.

Fuck, this is going to be complicated.

Lainey and I have had such an amazing time together these last few months. I was just starting to move on…yet, I’m not certain I ever would have been able to. Madison was always there. Her memory alive and well in my mind.

“Hey, guys,” Sel announces their presence. Her smile is radiant as she glances over at her best friend. The woman is glowing now that Maddy is back in the picture. I’ve seen justhow much it affected her not having her friend around to go through the adjustments of motherhood with. Especially with her mother not around. She could have used Maddy’s nurturing touch to keep her calm. Don’t get me wrong, Kil did an amazing job. But there’s nothing quite like witnessing the power of friendship between two women.

Lainey swivels on her stool to greet Sel and almost immediately her posture becomes rigid. She straightens her spine and throws her shoulders back, bracing herself.

“Madison! I didn’t know you were home. Liam didn’t tell me.” Her eyes blaze with hurt and frustration as she slings her head over her shoulder to glare at me.

Maddy shifts on her feet, gripping the edge of the bar for support. This isn’t what she came here for. The goddamn drama.

“It wasn’t exactly planned. My dad needed emergency surgery here in New York.”

The bite of jealousy Lainey was sporting subsides as she releases her shoulders, sagging back to lean into me.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope he makes a speedy recovery.” She plasters on a smile.

“Thank you,” Madison says sweetly, returning the sentiment.

“So, Mad…” Selena breaks the awkward tension hovering between us all. “What are you drinking?”

“I think the question is what arewedrinking,” she laughs, draping her arm over Sel.

“Well… Iwould…but I can’t. Kil and I are expecting again!” she beams.

That’s news to me. Butdamn. Good for them.

“Oh my goodness, Sel. That’s amazing! Congrats!” Mad pulls her best friend in and rests her cheek against her head.

Selena’s chocolate eyes scan between Lainey and I before saying, “I didn’t mean to spoil it. Kil was going to tell all of you tomorrow. Tonight was for those two love birds.” She wears awarm smile, pointing towards Lexi and Con—who are now cuddling by the stage.

“I’m good at acting surprised,” I laugh, promising her I’ll keep her slip up to myself.

“I can see that,” Lainey grumbles snarkily. “Madison, do you think I can talk to you for a moment after you get your drink?”

Madison raises her eyebrows quickly before recovering her features. “Sure.” Her perturbed eyes briefly dart over to mine before returning to her friend.

Sel shoots me a ‘good luck with that one’ look, knowing this is about to be fun. I sigh out my agreement and subtly nod.

“What’ll it be, sweetheart?” The bartender asks while approaching our area. I’d like to rip out his fucking eyes for lingering too long on her cleavage. Knowing I can’t, I choose option B— which is to inhale a calming breath through my nose.Fuck that. That’s not working either.

Brushing her violet locks behind her shoulder, Madison leans forward to request a blood orange margarita. Lainey hops off her stool and lowers her elbows onto the bar, sticking her arse out for me to admire—or as a reminder of what I could lose if I stray.Noted.

“Make that two, please,” she flirts, winking at the now drooling mess of a bartender.Be fucking professional, mate.That’ll be the last time we hire this clown for an event.

Having Lainey lean over the bar like that while using her bedroom voice should drive me insane—it doesn’t. And that’s saying something. Considering how much of a selfish and protective prick I usually am.

A firm hand grips my shoulder from behind, temporarily distracting me. “Hey, asshole. Have you heard from Madison? Is she okay?” Diego saunters around me, coming into view.

I shake my head and pinch the bridge of my nose at the fact that Lainey definitely heard that. Without a shadow of a doubt, she can now confirm I purposely chose not to disclose thatMadison was coming home. So not only am I in the fucking dog house, but I am also lying in my own shit.

There aren’t any words at the moment. My mind is a vortex created by the two women currently occupying it. Don’t get me started on who is occupying my heart. With my index finger, I motion to my favorite bartender, who nods their understanding and starts preparing me another refill.

It’s going to be alongnight.

God knows if I don’t pace myself, Lainey will be force feeding me another disgusting smoothie later on.

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