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HALLIE

“ H ey, what about LA? Or Las Vegas?” I call out to Lily, who is busy making dinner in the kitchen.

“Vegas could be fun. But I’d have to speak to my dad. I’m not sure I can go there.”

I frown.

“Why?”

“Oh, just business things with him and the men who run Vegas.” She says it so casually.

I wonder how much she actually knows about Conan’s world.

Ugh. Why did I have to think about him?

“Okay. So, I still need to put this place up for sale.”

She stirs the pasta, her face deep in thought.

“I can get us money. I don’t think selling this place will be good for you.”

I swallow. Maybe it is what I need. A fresh start. Not living in a place that just reminds me of my loss. But thinking of selling my dad’s house makes me want to throw up.

“Lils, I just don’t think I have another option. I don’t know if I can be this close to him.”

“I understand, Hallie. I get it.”

The pasta boils over, and she starts panicking and flapping her hands. At least that gives me a laugh.

“What about Washington?” I call out.

Nowhere I look feels right, because Pennsylvania is my home.

“How about we start with a girls’ trip?” Lily shouts.

Hmm. Now that sounds nice.

“Let’s kinda take baby steps up the impulsive scale first? Rather than flee our homes, let’s take a vacation.”

She has a valid point. I look around the room at the pictures on the wall of me, Bertie, and Dad.

Can I really let this go?

Should I have quit my job?

Fuck. I do need a break.

The doorbell rings, and I spin my head. Nerves rattle through me. I can’t face him. Not yet. But this is my problem to fix, not Lily’s.

I drag myself off the sofa and brush my fingers through my hair. But as I open the door, a rush of disappointment fills me when no one is there.

Except a massive bunch of pink and yellow roses left on the doorstep.

Tears burn in my eyes as I pick them up and pluck out the card. It says two words.

I’m sorry.

Shaking my head, I put them back where I found them and slam the door.

I don’t know what I want from him, and it’s pissing me off.

It’s like I can’t breathe without him. But it hurts too much to be near him.

And the gifts? They’re like adding salt to my wounds.

A reminder every day of what we’ve lost.

Because he is my person. I know that.

And soul mates aren’t supposed to treat you like this. But soul mates don’t hide who they truly are from each other—monster or not.