“Nathan kept trying to reassure him. “It doesn’t have to mean anything. Not to you. You can forget it, if you’d rather.”Matt listened to Nathan’s heartbeat, fast and light like a deer flashing through sunshine and shadow. “Listen, Nathan…”Nathan was silent, but Matt could feel the immediate tension down his spine.“I loved Rachel with all my heart. You’re right, nothing changes that. But—I never wanted her the way I want you.”Nathan slid out from under him, rolled over. His face was different, grave but sort of lit from within in a way that gave Matt a funny pain in his chest.”

“So then, how can I trust you now?" Nathan asked. His tone was light, but his face was guarded. Now would be an ideal time for that kiss, my brain whispered, but I couldn't take the coward's way out. "Because," I said simply, "I'm in love with you.”

“Oh, now my Erin, she'd smile down on me no matter where I walked." Grandpop smiled that little smile again. "But I'd be separated from her, and I'd feel that separation in my soul, you see?"Nathan shook his head.Grandpop sighed. "You have the Irish eyes, boy. One of these days, you'll see from eyes, not your own, feel with a heart outside your chest. Wild Irish eyes. Nathan. When you love, love well and love true, and take care, lad, because those Irish eyes are windows into not just your own soul, but the soul of the one you love." Grandpop looked out at his Erin's grave."And when you lose that heart, you can't leave the places where your memories are the best. And if I left her, I'd not be buried beside her.”

“How Nathan doesn't know I fancy him is beyond me. I may as well walk around with a sandwich board, saying 'I heart Nathan', ringing a bell”

“The question is, did you get your life-changing experience?"Amy looked at Matt and smiled. "I did."Matt's entire heart turned over in his chest. "Damn," he said, pulling her in. "Damn, I love you.""Watch the arm!" Josh warned."He's not watching that arm," Ty said as Matt kissed Amy again.”

“A knock sounds on the door.“Who is it?” Matt yells, exasperated.“Your father.”“What do you want?”“Can you mow the lawn tomorrow after church?”“Daaaaaaaad.” Matt’s shaking his head and laughing. My mouth has dropped open. “Couldn’t you have waited until after Kate goes home to ask me?”“I didn’t want to forget,” Mr. Brown says from behind the door.Matt whispers to me, “This is his way of saying we shouldn’t be in here alone together.”I nod.Matt yells to his dad, “Fine, I’ll mow the lawn. Now go away.”I smack his chest.“What?” Matt asks, clutching my hands so I can’t hit him again.“You shouldn’t treat your dad that way.”“I like her,” Mr. Brown says from out in the hallway.“Daaaaadd, stop eavesdropping!” Matt jumps to his feet and grabs his keys from the nightstand. “That’s it, I’m taking you home. We’ll never find any peace around here.”I can’t stop laughing.”