“If one day I should hear the hacker's slow, booted step on the stair, perhaps I'll suggest a cup of tea and try to get the story of his life.”

“His cup of tea did not include the dregs, though the dregs are the tea. His brew was nothing but vapor.”

“The easiest thing is to say no. What's not so easy is telling yourself to stop.”

“Did you get it back?""Of coarse, the very next day. And even if I hadn't-because there have been things I've been asked to give up for good... Well, over the years here I've learned that sometimes a great loss is also a great gain." Under the slowly swirling freckles, Doc's face looked infinitely sad. Somehow I didn't find that reassuring.”

“The one who asks questions does not lose his way.”

“As soon as I saw him again I could forget all this existed; I would be calm. Was that a definition of love: a force that can drug you with calm and help you forget all the sandpaper realities of the world?”

“Eva, stop,' he moaned. 'A kiss from me could kill you...''Then it would be a good death,' I breathed, taking his face in my hands. And when our lips met, I knew that wherever this love took me, it was a place I wanted to go.”