“Couldn't I just be a bit loony instead of gifted?”

“I...I'm sorry," Kylie mumbled."Don't you even try to talk your way out of me being pissed!" Burnett growled. "Not a word!""I just...""That's two words and I said not one!" he snapped, and he swiped his hand through the air for emphasis.Kylie bit down on her lip, and wouldn't you know it that's when the tears started flowing. Big, fat, and fast tears. She sniffled and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. Her breath caught in her chest. But damn it. Why couldn't this have happened when she was alone?"Those tears do not affect me, young lady!" He pointed a finger at her. While she couldn't hear his heart beat to the rhythm of a lie, she heard it in his voice. ***"I just...""Did I say you could talk?" he asked. He did three more pacing laps, as if working off steam, before he looked at her again. "Where were you going, Kylie?"When she just looked at him, he bit out, "Answer me.""You said I couldn't talk.”

“You couldn't always control life, just your response to it.”

“The stupid vamp just asked me to marry him. Here, now? As if looking like I just died is how I wanted to be proposed to."Joy did a lap around Kylie's heart. "And you said?"Holiday took a sip of water. "I asked him if we couldn't just live together in sin.""And?""He told me it wouldn't be a good example to our students. So...I agreed to marry him." She pushed a hand against her forehead. "Dear God, what am I getting myself into?”

“Derek's the nicest guy I know. He would never...you know.""He better not...you know!" Hayden bit out.”

“Wow,” Kylie muttered, and grinned.“Yeah, wow.” Della leaned in closer. “I think Perry just grew a pair.”Kylie bit down on her lip to keep from laughing. “If this was a movie,there would be some music playing in the background.”“I could sing,” Della chuckled.“And ruin it,” Kylie teased back. “I’ve heard you singing in theshower.” Both grinning, they looked back at the kissing couple.”

“I love you," he said, his voice almost musical with happiness.She shot him a scowl. "Isn't saying that a bit dangerous considering these aren't wooden swords and the ends aren't even taped?"He laughed.”