“There was that half-smirk again, playing around his lips, as if he was deciding whether the situation was amusing enough to warrant a full smile.”

“Beth,” he said simply, his flawless face lit up with anticipation. “There is no doubt in my mind that we belong together, but to spend the rest of my life with you would be an honor and commitment that I would cherish.” He paused, his clear, blue eyes luminous. My breath caught in my throat, but Xavier only smiled. “Beth,” he repeated. “Will you marry me?” The look on his face was pure happiness.”

“He smiled and scrawled something at the bottom of the answer sheet. The solution now read: Find X if (X)=2sin3X, over the domain -2πX= Beth Stop goofing around! I said.I'm not I'm stating a truth your my solution to everything. Xavier replied. The end result is always you. X always equals Beth.”

“We'll find out soon enough," Xavier growled. "You don't see too many V Star 250s around here""How do you know the bike model?" I asked."I'm a boy. We like engines”

“The water was lapping around my waist by the time Ivy and Gabriel found me. I was shivering, but I hardly noticed. I didn't move or speak, not even when Gabriel lifted me out of the water and carried me back to our house. Ivy helped me into the shower, and came to help me out half an hour later when I'd forgotten where I was and just stood under the pounding water. Gabriel bought me some dinner, but I couldn't eat it. I sat on my bed, staring into space and doing nothing but thinking of Xavier and trying not to think of him at the same time. The separation made me realize just how safe I felt with him. I craved his touch, his smell, even the awareness that he was nearby. But now he felt miles away, and I couldn't reach him, and that knowledge made me feel ready to crumble, to cease to exist.”

“Put no obstacle in her path and this will surely die a natural death; obstruct her, and it will give the situation an importance to worth fighting for.”

“I honestly can’t tell you. We’ve never had a situation like this before, “I admitted.“So you being an angel doesn’t meam…” He hesitated.“Doesn’t mean I have an answer for everything,” I concluded for him.“I just assumed it would be one of the perks.”“Sadly, no.”