“He’s giving it all back. I hate how much this hurts me, how much I’m clearly still hanging on to what we had.”

“We could go back to the way things were before, him accusing me of stuff and me pretending like I don’t have a clue what he’s talking about.Right.I’m not that good a liar, even when I’m lying to myself.”

“He’s waiting. He’s still waiting. He’s given up everything for me. His entire life. His future. Everything, because he wants to keep me safe. Because he believes, in his heart, that he’s my purpose and I’m his.”

“So much, I think then. There is still so very much to lose.”

“I can't stop thinking about how much better she'd be for him than I am.But I also kind of want to tear her hair out.”

“How did you do that?” I shrug. “I click my heels three times and say, ‘There’s no place like home.’” “Uh-huh. So … you think this is your home? My barn? His tone is playful, but the look he’s giving me is dead serious. A question. “Haven’t you guessed by now?” I say, my heart hammering. “My home is you.”

“I’m flying!”Of course, I’m not flying so much as coasting over the treetops like a hand glider or a freakishly large flying squirrel.”