“When I look at you, I still see the son I love more than my own life. But I also see a man who has become so far removed from what matters that his perception is skewed. Family is real, son. A home to settle into—that’s real. People who love you and care about you. You’ve had a phenomenal career, and I’m proud of you. But it’s time to stop basing your worth on championships and endorsement deals. You can’t buy happiness. You can’t earn it. God isn’t counting all the deals you’re racking up—and neither is your family.” He lifted his brow. “And neither is Lucy. For the first time someone’s looking at the person inside—and you have to decide if you’re going to let her in and be the man she needs you to be.” His father turned his head toward a family picture on the mantel. “It’s a risk. But one I’ve never regretted.”

“You can’t buy happiness. You can’t earn it. God isn’t counting all the deals you’re racking up.”

“You’re not too bad, Finley Sinclair.”I couldn’t have looked away from this boy if the room had caught on fire. “You’re okay yourself. At times.”“But we can’t get involved.”“No.” I swallowed. “Definitely not.”His face lowered a fraction of an inch. “Because I’m infamously bad.”“And I’m staying away from trouble.”His voice was rough, husky. “It would never work.” I took a step closer. “Impossible.”He traced my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “We don’t even like each other." “I pretty much can’t stand you.”And then his lips crushed to mine.”

“Because you will never, ever have the life God’s planned for you as long as you’re holding on to that fear. You can’t swim to shore if you never let go of that life preserver.”

“To truly try means to accept God's love, his healing, to accept the world can be ugly, but your heart doesn't have to be. It takes courage, Finley the warrior. You haven't held on to your anger and bitterness in search of healing, but as a banner of your hurt. Because it's real and visible and strong, " she said. "But so is God's love and so are those arms he's holding out for you.”

“I see who I am reflected in your eyes. I know what you think about me. But what if I told you, you were wrong?”

“What’s hard is not having that hope. I can’t imagine going through bad times without that peace. Without that surrender, life just eats you up. Spits you out. Wears you down to nothing.”