“And as for girls who try to stay away from me—my charm always wears them down.”“I’m up-to-date on my shots, so I’m pretty much immune to everything.”

“When I’m with him, everything makes so much sense…when I’m away, it’s so much shit.”

“I’m not running away from my responsibilities. I’m running to them. There’s nothing negative about running away to save my life.”

“My soul needs him as much as my lungs need air. So much so that I feel like I’m suffocating just being away from him.”

“[Lena] “You’re asking me on a date?”From the corner of his eye, he could see the bartender listening and not pretending not to. The kid barely looked old enough to be out of college— hell, high school.Tuning the kid out of his mind, he focused on Lena. “Yeah, I’m asking you on a date. At least, I’m trying to. It’s been awhile since I’ve asked a woman on a date, so maybe I’m doing it wrong.”“Well, it’s been awhile since a guy asked me on a date, so maybe I’ve just forgotten how to recognize the clues.” That pretty, wide mouth curled up in a slow smile.”

“He’s my bodyguard,” I said tightly. “You know that. I don’t trust you. I should walk away from this, but I’m here, and I’m going to take a look. He stays. Got a problem, take it up with my mom.”