“Easy, Marks,' he whispered. 'One of us has to have some self-control, and it really should be you.”

“What you should really be sorry for," he continued, "is that for the rest of my life, I'll have to avoid wine cellars to keep from thinking about you.""Why? Was kissing me that bad?"A devil-solf whisper. "No sweetheart. It was that good.”

“I, cruel to Marks? I'm the one you should worry about. After a conversation with her, I usually walk away with my entrails dragging behind me.”

“If it weren’t for public transportation,” Sam said, “my brother wouldn’t be getting married today. He and Maggie fell in love along the ferry routefrom Bellingham to Anacortes … which brings to mind the old saying that life is a journey. Some people have a natural sense of direction. You couldput them in the middle of a foreign country and they could find their way around. My brother is not one of those people.” Sam paused as some of theguests started laughing, and his older brother gave him a mock-warning glance. “So when Mark by some miracle manages to end up where he wassupposed to be, it’s a nice surprise for everyone, including Mark.” More laughter from the crowd. “Somehow, even with all the roadblocks anddetours and one-way streets, Mark managed to find his way to Maggie.” Sam raised his glass. “To Mark and Maggie’s journey together. And toHolly, who is loved more than any girl in the whole wide world.”

“For God's sake, Marks, do you think anyone really wants a glance at those dried-up matchsticks you call legs?”

“Who should I send for now?”Using the last of his strength, Sebastian managed to drag her hand up to his mouth. “You,” he whispered, holding her fingers to his lips. “Just you.”

“I'll follow you to the next life if I have to," he whispered harshly in her ear. "You'll never be free of me. I'll chase you through heaven and hell and beyond." He continued to whisper without stopping while his hands gripped her body close to his. "You stay with me, Holly," he muttered savagely. "Don't do this to me. You stay, damn you.”