“I bunch Rachel's hair in my fist. The silky strands rub the spot between my fingers and I press my lips to her head. My heart hurts and soars and hurts again, all at the same time. I said I love he...”

“She broke my heart. My mother broke my heart. If I love Rachel shell have more power than both of them combined because this overwhelming pulse in my body...this overwhelming need to protect her an...”

“I touch the double row of silver hoop earrings hanging from his left ear, trail along his jawline, his neck, down his shoulder, to the flaming tail of the dragon on his arm. He leans into the cares...”

“When Im with you, even my past seems like a bad dream, he says. Ive sat on this hill a hundred times, and all I used to see were lights that represented places where I wasnt wanted, where I never b...”

“His hands go to my waistmy waist! And they feel so right. I like this closeness. Maybe I like it too much. A guy has never been this close to me. Never. And I cant believe its happening, even if it...”

“Shes so beautiful it hurts. Golden blond hair flows past her shoulders. Those gorgeous violet eyes shouldnt be so wide with fear. Ive dreamed of being this close to her again. I ache to gather her ...”

“When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for t...”

“You know Balbec so well - do you have friends in the area?'I have friends wherever there are companies of trees, wounded but not vanquished, which huddle together with touching obstinacy to implore...”

“Things that matter are not easy. Feelings of happiness are easy. Happiness is not. Flirting is easy. Love is not. Saying youre friends is easy. Being friends is not.”

“If you want to be happy, work with all your heart.”

“I do my best thinking at night when everyone else is sleeping. No interruptions. No noise. I like the feeling of being awake when no one else is.”

“I feel like Ive been split open and stuffed with sunshine.”

“And he laughs. Not the heavy laughter from before. Its a great laugh. A deep laugh. One that makes my lips lift. Isaiah, the guy who an hour ago carried himself like a jungle predator, now has the ...”

“And he laughs. Not the heavy laughter from before. It’s a great laugh. A deep laugh. One that makes my lips lift. Isaiah, the guy who an hour ago carried himself like a jungle predator, now has the...”