Page 214 of Ignite

The music blares, the strobe lights flash, yet all I can do is scan the crowd.

I’ll know when I spot her, because my stomach will flip and everything will feel lighter.

Chapter 81

HALLIE

“Ifucking love this song!” Lily screams in my ear.

I giggle and join her on the dance floor.

I promised her a night of no sulking. I think this was her way of saying,I’m sick to fucking death of watching you wallow in self-pity with tubs of ice cream. Get the fuck out of the house.

We dance until our feet burn and our drinks are empty.

“Shall we get another?” I ask her.

The alcohol is starting to help me forget why I’m so sad.

“Damn right.” She grabs my hand and all but drags me to the bar.

As soon as we approach, goosebumps erupt over my skin. I rub at my forearms, glancing around.

This is weird.

“What do you want?” Lily shouts.

Oh.

“Um. Rum and coke. Please.”

I’m distracted, looking around the room like I’m hunting someone. I can feel eyes on me, and it’s unsettling.

“That bartender is kinda cute. Want his number?”

My eyes go wide.

“Absolutely not. I’m done with men.”

Lily rolls her eyes dramatically.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. We need to get you laid.”

I shake my head.

“No. We really don’t. That won’t solve any of my issues.”

Not when my heart can’t forget about Conan.

She hands me my drink and I knock it back. Lily bites on her lip with a naughty grin.

“Oh, we’ve got this Hallie out to play. I can’t wait.”

“What?”

She pouts and sips her drink through the straw.

“The ‘I don’t give a shit, let’s get blackout wasted’is my favorite Hallie to drink with.”

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