I am not perfect. I’m quite the opposite. I’m messy. I’m not very well organized. I sometimes can’t even breathe properly. I overthink. I feel too much.
My dad always called me a whirlwind as a kid.
“Stop doubting yourself, Lily,” Charlotte says gently. “You are enough for any man. For anyone.”
Her words settle somewhere deep, stitching themselves into cracks I didn’t even realize were still open.
I smile at her. Day by day, I feel more at home here than I ever have in my life. The Quinns. Bella. Hallie. Charlotte. Drago. They’re not just protecting me. They’re healing broken parts of me and making me stronger.
“Go get your man, Lily.”
I breathe in once, steadying myself, and head outside.
A suited Conan is resting casually against his blacked-out Roller, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“Lily,” He says, opening the passenger door with a knowing smile.
I slide inside, and he shuts it gently.
“Hallie has requested updates immediately. Please send them to her; she misses you. I think she’s feeling lonely at home with a baby.”
Oh my god. We’ve been texting a lot, but I haven’t seen her since I came here. “Shit.” I hiss. She’s always there for me. Always checking in. And I’ve been so wrapped up in my own head, my own mess, that I haven’t checked on her.
“Lily. Stop.” Conan says quickly. “Sorry, I meant she’s excited for you. She’s not upset with you. I’ll bring her round tomorrow, okay?”
Relief floods me so fast it makes my chest ache. “I’ll call her first thing.”
Conan hums along to a song as he pulls into traffic, one hand resting casually on the wheel.
“So,” I say, trying to sound light. “What did Drago have to do to persuade you to be my chauffeur then?”
“Nothing.”
He’s lying.
“Do not lie to me, Conan Quinn. Or I’ll phone Hallie right this second. You won’t ever lie to her.”
He exhales, then grins. “Promised he’d get in the cage with me so I can practice for my next match.”
I slap his arm. “You’re an idiot. Stop trying to find victims for your cage.”
He rubs his arm, chuckling. “Look, you can come and watch. Your man is more of an animal in a fight than I am.” His lips snap shut.
“That’s kinda hot.”
He laughs. “And that is why you and Hallie are best friends.”
I pout. “Bad taste in men?”
He clutches his chest dramatically. “How dare you!”
The car slows, and I frown as we pull up outside the theatre.
It’s… quiet.
The lights are on, glowing warm against the evening sky, but there’s no crowd. No buzz. No line. I check the time. Seven fifty. I’m early.
“Conan…” My voice dips. “Where is everyone? Are we at the wrong place?”
