“I dreamed that Curran and I killed a dinosaur and then had sex in the dirt.”

“As I walked back to civilization, I realized that for the first time in the six months I had known Curran, we had managed to have a conversation and part ways without wanting to kill each other. I found that fact deeply troubling.”

“The universe shrank to Curran and his pain. I had to break him free. Nothing else mattered.”

“Curran scrutinized Mart’s face. “I can’t figure out if he wants to kill you or screw you.”“I’ll be glad to make the choice for him.”Curran looked back at me. “Why is it you always attract creeps?”“You tell me.” Ha! Walked right into that one, yes, he did.”

“I chuckled to myself and kept walking. The Universe had proven Curran wrong: a person who aggravated him more than me did, in fact, exist.”

“Oh, it's you," Curran's voice said quietly. "I thought it was an elephant.”

“The phone rang. I picked it up. "Kate Daniels""It's me," Curran said. "I—" I hung up.”