“Zane," I whispered breathlessly, knowing it was wrong, but powerless to stop myself. "If things were different... if you were alive... and I was alive-" "Yes," he said immediately, interrupting me. He leaned in closer. His voice was no more than a whisper. "Absolutely, yes. Don't ever doubt it, Kail.”

“Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Zane doubled over in his chair, still laughing hysterically. If he wasn't already dead, I would have killed him.”

“Zane," I piped up quickly, hoping not to lose my nerve. "You can do whatever you want, but the truth is, I want you to come along. And not because I feel sorry for you. I do feel sorry for you-I'd be a total jerk if I didn't. But I want you to come because I enjoy your company, and if you don't come, I'll miss you. But I realize that's totally selfish of me, and I don't want you to come just because I asked you to." I paused for a breath, my heart racing. "Am I making any sense?”

“Knowing a large proportion of your fellow citizens was one thing; but when you recognized each other’s pets by name, you knew you’d never get a Red Lobster.”

“The past can’t touch you unless you let it.”

“Accepting the loss of a loved one is difficult. But reconciling with the living is just as important.”

“You were looking for me? Victoria wondered if she would be red for the rest of her life. Yes. Isn't that something. Perfect ice queen Victoria looking for skunkish old me.”