“I know the resolution. I know the end of the story before it ever begins. I must choose love. And for this, I will surely die.”

“I can protect my heart now that I know better—now that I know love never works out in the end. Right?”

“Eat my food or die.""If I eat your food I WILL die." He belches before reaching in the fridge for a soda. "Yeah, whatever. Gimme something to commit a slow suicide with.”

“Ellis: "What's so funny?"Skyla: You're funny," I say. "You look real scary. I bet your mom's proud, though." I don't know why I add that last bit, I just do.”

“A new war is going to begin. And I won't give in until I win. That's the only war I care about, the one for your heart.”

“He touches his thumb to my cheek and his wonderful vibrations tune through me like the strumming of a harp. “I love you, Skyla. In time you will feel the same.” I catch my breath and hold it, not sure how to respond. A part of me knows this is real. A part of me already has a very special place in my heart for Marshall. And although I’m terribly afraid to admit it, the thought of making love to him has been playing out in the recesses of my darkest fantasies for some time now. “Really?” His brows arch in amusement. Shit.”

“I'm loving you. That's what I do in the past, present, and future, Skyla. That's all I'll ever do.”