“Eric,” she said, “maybe someday one of the waitresses will get pregnant, and wecan go to a baby shower!”“That would be something to see,” said Eric”

“Bill said, "She is mine."I wondered if my hands would move. They would. I raised both of them, making an unmistakable one-fingered gesture. Eric laughed, and Bill said "Sookie!" in shocked admonishment."I think that Sookie is telling us she belongs to herself," Eric said softly.”

“I am here," Eric said."And I am here." I was a little amused at Eric's phone answering technique. "Sookie, my little bullet-sucker," he said, sounding fond and warm. "Eric, my big bullshitter.”

“Snow, here?" Eric was as delighted as a child. "I love snow!"Why was I not surprised?"Maybe we will get snowed in together," he said suggestively, waggling his blond eyebrows.”

“A dog – a collie – went up to Eric, looked up at his face, and growled. “Shoo,” Eric said, making an imperious gesture with his hand.”

“Ha," I said. "Oh, ha-ha. Yeah, ’cause they love me. You see how many vampires are up here? Zero, right?"One," said Eric, stepping out of the stairwell.”

“You'll have to ask Bill that, Sookie. And this is the only reason we're going? You're not cleverly usingthis as an excuse to make out with me?""I'm not that clever, Eric.""I think you deceive yourself, Sookie," Eric said with a brilliant smile.”