Page 9

HALLIE

“ L ily. You are not going to believe this,” I whisper-hiss down the phone.

Lily is my lifelong best friend. The woman who’s seen me at rock bottom and dragged me back from it, bloody knuckles and all.

“What? You finally came?”

“Ha-ha. No. Look, I don’t have long, but I caught Ben cheating while I was patching up Dr. Quinn’s hot brother. And now he’s in my house and wants to stay the night to look after me.”

The line falls silent.

“Damn, Hallie. I don’t see you for three days, and this happens. How hot is hot?”

I tap my nails on the counter, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Way over six feet tall, covered in tattoos, rugged… you know, like scary but gorgeous.”

Oh my god. I sound like a horny teenager.

“The kind that will fuck you up against a wall and choke you good?”

“Lily!” I gasp.

The deep rumble of my Shelby echoes down the street.

“He’s back with my car now. Come over tomorrow night.”

“Oh, I will be there. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“So that’s essentially do anything I want.”

“Love you,” she whispers, giggling.

“Love you too.”

I end the call as Conan strides into my house, the air shifting with him. My stomach flips when he kicks off his shoes and lifts his gaze to me.

The way he stares—it’s like I’m his prey. Like he’s already decided how I’ll fall.

“How did you find her to drive?” I ask.

“Ugh,” he groans.

“She’s fucking gorgeous, Hallie. That fucking roar of the engine makes me hard just thinking about it.”

I swallow hard and reach for my wine.

“Here.” I slide him one of my dad’s favorite whiskeys. He used to get them imported from Ireland. I figure Conan would approve.

“A whiskey girl?” He tilts his head, settling on the stool across from me.

“Sometimes. I like this one anyway.”

He takes a slow sip, licking his lips. There’s a glint in his eye, something dark and amused.

“I’d know that flavor anywhere. You got the bottle?”

I nod and duck to grab it from the cabinet. He takes it, studies the label, and smiles—soft, sad.

“This one was my dad’s pride and joy. He spent years perfecting this recipe.”

My mouth falls open.

“Your dad made this? Oh my god. My dad would be kissing your feet if he were still alive. He lived for this.”

He nods, a flicker of something reverent passing through his eyes.

“I’ve not seen it here in the States. Only the ones I flew over.”

“My dad used to get them shipped every six months. He once took a trip to Ireland, fell in love with it, and never let it go.”

“Well, you know what they say…”

He leans across the counter, and my breath stutters. He’s close. Too close.

“W-what do they say?” I whisper.

“Once you get a taste of the Irish, ya never go back.”

A giggle bubbles up, and I try to hide it behind the rim of my glass.

“I thought it was about the luck of the Irish?”

“That too. I mean, I’ve been your lucky charm tonight, haven’t I? Your ex is racing around the street butt naked right now.”

I glance past him to the couch and narrow my eyes.

“Wanna help me burn it?”

He knocks back his whiskey.

“Now?”

I laugh, smacking the counter.

“No. I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate that. I’ll have a removal company get it tomorrow. You’re really down for anything, aren’t you?”

He grins, pouring himself another glass.

“Yes, darlin’. I’m the fun Quinn. I’ll get you into trouble and back out of it all in one night.”

I believe him. He’s lightning in a bottle, wild and untouchable, but if you cross him, it’s game over.

We settle into a quiet rhythm, the radio humming softly in the background.

“Don’t listen to what that asswipe said earlier. You aren’t boring. You’re quite the opposite, actually.” Conan’s voice cuts through the silence, sharp and sincere.

“I don’t care if he thinks I am. And I guess… sometimes I am. But there’s a whole side of me he never met. I know I’m cool. Just for the right people.”

He raises his glass, and I clink mine against his.

“Cheers to that, trouble.”

We knock them back.

“And you’re a damn good kisser. You know, if Small Dick didn’t interrupt us, I was about to take you upstairs. I lost my brain there for a bit.”

My eyes widen. My skin burns.

I have no idea what this is, whatever’s building between us, but it makes me feel something I haven’t felt in years.

Sexy. Seen. Real.

Since my dad died, I haven’t done anything for myself. I’ve just existed. Drowning quietly in grief while pretending I’m fine.

But tonight? The voices in my head, the ones that whisper I’m too much or not enough, they’ve gone quiet.

Tonight, I’m just me. The girl who laughs too loud. Who chases adrenaline. The girl who serves revenge cold with a smile on her lips.

I watch Conan swirl the liquid in his glass. Does he regret telling me that?

I take a breath. Screw it.

Maybe I deserve someone who knows how to fuck. Someone who won’t make me feel like a placeholder.

And I’d bet every cent I have that this man does. Then I can go back to my toys.

“I wouldn’t have stopped you.” I say it steadily. Confidentially.

His head snaps up.

And I swear, my lungs stop working.

Feral. That’s the only word for the way he looks at me.

Whatever leash he had on himself? Gone.

He stands abruptly and rounds the counter. I stay still, look up at him through my lashes, heart pounding like war drums.

“What do you want from me, Hallie?” he asks, voice lowered to something dangerous and divine.

I squeeze my thighs together.

He’s way out of my league.

I could never give him what he needs. I’m boring. Plain ol’ boring Hal. Just like Ben said. Stupid, stupid Hallie.