“Psf. I'm not an alcoholic. An alcoholic needs a drink. Look here," I explained raising my next shot to her. "I already have one. S therefore, I do not need one. Which makes me not an alcoholic.”

“What the eff are you two alcoholics talking about? You're all hovering over each other like you're plotting to take over the world. You know you can't do any of that fun stuff without me.”

“Please, Grace, whatever it is you're going after, please try to find it here with me. I will try my best to be the man that you need me to be.”

“Please don't be sorry, Grace. I am your friend and I'm here if you need to talk about anything or need a shoulder to cry on.""Thanks.""Especially if that's the only way I'll ever get to hold you.”

“This is your life, Lea. Mine was over centuries ago, but you have the future, things to hope for and look forward to. I'm just here for one thing. I don't want anything to happen to you or Conner, even Shane or Tucker, because you're all trying to save me.”

“I glared at Shane, who gave me an innocent look. With the most serious expression I could make, I joked, “Some of my close friends have called me Black Widow, because after I sleep with someone, I kill them.” Shane looked at me evenly, matching my serious expression, “I have no doubt in my mind that you have had that effect on men, since I feel like I’ve died every time you’ve smiled at me.”

“His lips touched mine again, breathing me in like I was his air, then he tore his mouth from mine; panting. "Please Grace, whatever it is you're going after, please try to find it here in me. I will try my best to be the man that you need me to be.”