Page 33 of A Promise For Tomorrow

“No. It’s not her. It’s me. I’m working through a lot of emotions right now, Lain. You look beautiful by the way. The food was awesome.” A frown forms on her face as she realizes that’s all the interaction she’ll get from me.

Placing a brief kiss to her temple, I step away, needing that cigarette now more than ever. My mum would be so ashamed of me for selfishly holding the hearts of two amazing women.

After taking the elevator, I find my way out to the top deck. Steam swirls in ribbons around the pool which is gradually changing colors. I focus on it, slowing my heart rate down andbreathing in and out through my nose.Ahh. I feel like I can breathe again.Why not light up that cigarette?

Reaching into my jeans pocket, I retrieve my lighter and pack of menthols. The flame of my Zippo ignites as I light the end of my cigarette and pull the nicotine deep into my lungs. I lean over the balcony railing, watching the busy New York City streets. It serves as a great distraction from my racing thoughts.

The grating sound of the sliding door has me turning back around. Madison wraps her sweater tighter around her as she slides the door shut.

I reach into my pack and pull out another cigarette, holding it out between my thumb and middle finger. “Still smoking, lass?”

That familiar statement has her smiling through her own tears as she saunters my way.

“I could use one. I haven’t had any in a while,” she sniffles, wiping under her eyes with her sleeve.

Handing her the cigarette, I hold out my lighter as she leans in to light it. She inhales briefly before blowing her smoke to the sky. “Thank you.”

“Anytime, love,” I sigh, placing the lighter back in my pocket before pulling her into me. “That could have been us.”

She nods, taking another drag. Circling her back with my free hand, I take a drag of my own. We stand there for a while not saying a word, just comforting one another.

This feels different.

It’s sadness over what we may never have together.

Acceptance in a way.

I snub my cigarette out in the ashtray on the cocktail table and she does the same.

“You’ll have that family, baby. Even if it’s not with me.”

“Yeah, maybe one day,” she agrees morosely. “What time did you want to head to Connecticut?”

“Can you be ready in an hour?”

“Yes. I’m pretty much ready, I just need to freshen up and change.”

An hour later,I’m knocking on Diego’s door. Madison swings it open a few seconds later, looking incredible. Straight white teeth form a smile under her dark purple lipstick. Her hair is in waves around her shoulders and dark smokey makeup enhances her gorgeous eyes. Madison laughs in reaction to my staring—she’s absolutely radiant.

Definitely in a far better mood than earlier.

An overnight bag sits at the entrance of the door, sparking hope in my chest.

Guess we are staying.

Perfect.

She does a little twirl in her form fitting black dress. Leather pointed pumps wrap around her feet. They are sexy as fuck. My eyes trace up her muscular calves, then thighs, all the way up to her round arse. It takes me back to the night we went toThe Triskelionfor her surprise party. I had to shove my fists into the pockets of my slacks to prevent myself from reaching out for her. She wasn’t mine. She was Killian’s. What a turn of events that night ended up being.

Madison is the only woman I have ever taken back to my house in Connecticut.

A small leather wristlet hangs off her wrist as she opens her arm to scan her body up and down. “You like? Selena lent me one of hers. It’s a little snug, but it works.”

“You look incredible, Madison.” I grasp a strand of her hair between my fingers. “I love this color on you.”

“Thank you. I was actually considering dying it back to black soon. Believe it or not, the purple is hard to maintain. Plus—itwas sort of a phase. I tend to change my hair color during major changes in my life.”

I grab her overnight bag and sling it over my shoulder. Fidgeting with the strap, I try to distract myself before I do something crazy, like pull her face to mine and kiss the hell out of her.I don’t think she’s ready for that.

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