Page 186 of Ignite

I was meant to protect her, and instead, I ruined her.

Chapter 67

HALLIE

You’d think after a week of having a door slammed in your face, you’d get the message and stop coming back. Especially after the fifth day.

But no, not Conan.

I’ve blocked his number and refused to see him.

It’s almost like he enjoys being told to fuck off at this point.

Bertie’s tail starts to wag, and I snuggle up closer to him.

“What is it, boy?”

He jumps off the sofa and lifts his paws to look out the window.

I glance at the time on my phone and sigh.

Now is about the time even my dog gets excited. Traitor.

Pulling myself off the couch, I hear the deep rumble of a car.

Normally it stops down the road, but this time it gets louder and louder, like it’s parking right outside my damn door.

I rush over to the window and open the blinds a bit more.

Hmm. That’s not his McLaren. I mean, it is—except for the chrome silver finish.

Wow. It’s beautiful.

I hold my breath as Conan emerges from the car. Closing my eyes, I brace myself for the knock.

But it doesn’t come.

Instead, something drops to my floor.

What the hell?

I keep watching him as he strolls away without looking back and hops into a Range Rover that speeds off.

Letting out a breath of pure relief, I press my palm to my chest. Lily has been here all the other days to get rid of him, so I didn’t have to come face-to-face with him, but she had to go to the gallery today.

I wrap my arms around myself. I just feel so lost.

I creep toward the front door and stare at the set of keys with a silver heart dangling and a note attached.

Gritting my teeth, I pick them up and stomp into the kitchen, ripping the letter out of the envelope.

Trouble,

I know you don’t want to see me, and I don’t blame you.

I’ll give you space if that’s what you need.

But I can’t give up on you.

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