“He leaned down and whispered, “I love you,” in Honoria’s ear.Just because he wanted to.She didn’t look up, but she smiled.And he smiled, too”

“I love you," he whispered, kissing her. She smiled. "I love you, too."He was suddenly aware of Kaden lying right there. He looked at his friend. Kaden smiled. "Still not doing you.”

“I love you,” she whispered, gazing up into his pale gray eyes.He smiled crookedly, for a moment looking at her with a dazzled air. He had, she realized sadly, no experience hearing those words. He didn’t know how to react. “I figured as much.”This time, she didn’t hit him.”

“I love you," he finally whispered. She leaned forward and touched his face. "I know. And I love you, too.”

“Harlin needs you,” she whispers. “He loves you too much.”I smile a little. “I know. But I like that about him.”

“[He] has always believed in me. Even when I didn’t believe in myself. Even when I was at my worst, he saw only the best in me, and he was determined for me to see it too. Now I know for certain that Mabel was right. There’s nothing in the world like having someone love you for who you really are. Looking at your heavy baggage and leaning down to whisper in your ear, “You’re perfect.”