“How could Clay have said all that, smooth as Kentucky bourbon, and Mom just sitting there as if she’d already drunk the bottle...”

“You're walking along on this path, dazzled by how perfect it is, how great you feel, and then just a few forks in the road and you are lost in a place so bad you never could have imagined it.”

“Mom. He didn't do drugs. I've told you that before. He was just weird.”

“There’s an opening at Mom’s campaign,” I say. “She needs all the help she can getnow that she’s totally distracted by Clay Tucker.”“Who the hell’s Clay Tucker?”“The…” Nan lowers her voice, even though all she says is: “…younger manSamantha’s mother’s dating.”“Your ma’s dating?” Tim looks shocked. “I thought she pretty much confined herselfto a vibrator and the shower nozzle since your dad screwed her over.”

“I'll just sit back here and perform a few of the more acrobatic positions in the Kama Sutra. By myself, sadly.”

“Shhhh." He pulls on my lower lip gently with his teeth, then fits his mouth to mine. First so careful, and then so deep and deliberate, that I can't think of anything at all but his smooth back under my hands.”

“Think about how it looks, Samantha. Not just how it feels. Make smart choices. Always consider consequences.”