Page 2 of A Promise For Tomorrow

His amber eyes soften as he delicately wraps his hand around mine. “Aw, Mad. I was just playing around. Look, I even set the timer on the coffee pot last night. How could ya possibly cut me off when I help supply ya caffeine addiction?”

At the mention of coffee, the rich aroma of dark roast permeates our space and the melody of the machine brewing soothes my misplaced anger.

A smile forms on my face as I stare up at him. Untangling my hand from his, I pat his cheek twice.

“Such a good bodyguard you are,” I praise, the sarcasm flowing so easily off my tongue.

We both know that although he is here visiting his girlfriend, he is also keeping tabs on me. I side-step him, entering the hallway that leads to the kitchen.And coffee.

Lots and lots of coffee.

The cabinets clank in my search for a clean mug. Coming up empty, I open the dishwasher and grab my favorite one off the top rack. It’s sparkly purple and embellished with a crescent moon and stars. The words LET THAT SHIT GO are stamped proudly below the moon. I figured if I saw the words enough they would stick.

They haven’t.

Lexi and Conor’s matching mugs are also in attendance. I retrieve them, placing them on the counter next to mine before grabbing the oat milk from the fridge. Lex and Con have been eating a plant-based diet for the last few months. While I agree that oat milk tastes just as delicious in my coffee, old habits diehard. I snatch my half and half from the fridge, adding it to the coffee receiving line formed on the counter. Another text notification chimes on my phone.

I swear, if there are any more jokes in the group chat at my expense, I will lose it.

Today just isn’t the day.

Glancing over at my phone while pouring coffee into each mug, I notice it’s a text from my mom:

Mom

Call me.

A chuckle escapes my lips as Lexi and Conor make their way to the kitchen, taking a seat on the stools at the kitchen island.She couldn’t just call me? She had to text me to call her?I quickly finish up, placing their respective drinks in front of them before leaning back against the counter.

Lexi grabs hers, bringing the steaming cup to her lips. “What’s so funny?” Her bright blue eyes search mine.

I mirror her, bringing the purple mug to my lips and savoring the smell before sipping. “It’s just my Mo—” Coffee sloshes over the rim of my mug as I slam it down on the counter. “What is that?!” I point my index finger at the giant rock on her left hand.

“Oh, this?” Lexi feigns innocence, holding up the ring finger that houses her newly acquired engagement ring. My gaze remains locked on the stunning diamond ring before shifting to Conor—who is sporting the biggest shit-eating grin.

“I asked her to marry me last night,” he announces proudly while gazing at his fiancée. Waves of love and devotion pour off him.It's freakin adorable.

A squeal leaves my lips as I run over to stand between them, pulling the love birds into a hug. “I am so happy for you both. Welcome to the family, Con,” I wink at him. He returns the sentiment while taking a sip of his coffee.

Clearing his throat he says, “The two of us were going tospend New Year’s Eve with you, Simon, and John…but we…” He stumbles around with his words as Lexi jumps in to intervene.

“We were invited to celebrate our engagement in New York. Liam has plans to dedicate a special portion of the gala to us.” Lexi grabs my hand and searches my eyes. “I know you want to completely separate your life fromtheirs, and I respect that one hundred percent. It’s just that navigating this wedding will be challenging. I want my best friend to feel comfortable and happy…but you know Conor has an obligation to his syndicate and intense loyalty to his best friend. He asked Liam to be his Best Man, Mad. I would be honored if you would be my Maid of Honor—and possibly consider joining us in New York tonight?”

“I…of course, Lexi! Yes! I’ll be your Maid of Honor. I can handle Liam for a few interactions. We are adults, after all. But New York… tonight… I…”

“Lass can’t handle a little scorpion yet claims she can handle Liam,” Conor mumbles over the rim of his mug.

My eyes slide over to his with venom way more potent than that of the‘little scorpion’.

He leans back with his hands raised in surrender.

I was about to explain that it has been over a year and I am perfectly capable of keeping my feelings separate from my duties as a Maid of Honor…when my phone vibrates against the kitchen counter, rudely interrupting me.

“Hey, Mom. Sorry, I meant to call you. I just got some exciting?—”

“Madison. I need you to come home tonight, sweetheart.” My heart drops at her tone. “Your father, so typical of him, has been hiding the severity of his heart condition from all of us. He called to let me know that the surgeon has him scheduled tonight for a triple bypass surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The surgeon spoke with me after I demanded I talk to him. He told me to—” her voice cracks, “prepare. This surgery has a thirty percent chance of being successful. If he doesn’t gothrough with it, he will most likely suffer another deadly heart attack—which is what led him to the ER in the first place.”

“Why is he in the city?” I ask, my voice quivering with anxiety.

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