“I also want to eat grass and ride a bear … but that could be the drugs talking.”

“Gabriel nodded. “Sometimes love makes hard decisions for the sake of what needs protecting.” “But love should fight.” He nodded slowly. “Yes, love should fight. But there is a difference between a valiant fight and a selfish fight. And love is not selfish.” She turned to look at him across the grass. “For someone who is cursed to be without love you are quite wise on matters of the heart.” Sorrow filled her eyes. “I’m sorry for your curse.” He shrugged. “It could be worse. I could be cursed to an eternity of pain or a life without chocolate.”

“How awesome would that be? You open a box of Trix and wham! Out pops a hot guy! I would so eat more cereal.”

“Gabriel shuffled around the trunk again, searching for faux arrows—arrows designed to injure but not kill. “All these arrows are sharp—and have blood on them.”“Yes, well, I left my cotton candy arrows at home next to my teddy bear.”

“His dark hair was still wet and fell around his head in a tousled way that was too sexy for his own good.Scarlet wanted to run her hands through it - but oh wait. That could kill him.Definitely too sexy for his own good.”

“The moon was full, shining enough light down for Scarlet to make out the hundreds of gravestones lined up in the wet grass and the dozens of standing tombs that rose up in various places throughout the yard.Giant trees swayed in the winter wind, throwing shadows across the grounds and making it look like the darkness was alive.Graveyards were much more frightening at night than they were during the day.An owl hooted.A wolf howled.A bat flapped across the night sky before her, wings silhouetted by the giant moon.Are you kidding me?It was like the graveyard knew Scarlet had entered and wanted to make it the creepiest experience ever.”

“You know what would be really nice right now? Coffee. I'd really go for some coffee." Just the idea made her salivate.He scowled. "How can you think about coffee right now?""I don't know. Maybe caffeine is how I cope." She thought for a moment. "Although usually I'm a crier. Are you a crier?""No.""Not even sad movies or weddings?""No.""What about commercials with little puppies that need a home?"He blinked. "Please stop talking.""Hmm," she said slowly. "Maybe talking is how I cope." Her hands started falling asleep. "You know what else would be really nice right now?""An off button?”