“He wasn't mine anywhere except in my heart.”

“He was my confidant, the person who was always on my side even when he wasn't taking my side.”

“He's a fascinating gentleman.Old-school. I tried to talk him into attendingone of my services, but he said he wasn't finishedsinning yet, and he'd let me knowwhen he was.”

“Being afraid's not always bad." he said gently. "It can keep you moving forward. It can help you get things done."The silence between us was different than any silence I'd known before, full and warm and waiting. "What are you afraid of?" I dared to ask.There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, as if it were something he'd never been asked before. For a moment I thought he wouldn't answer. But he let out a slow breath, and his gaze left mine to sweep across the trailer park. "Staying here." he finally said. "Staying until I'm not fit to belong anywhere else.""Where do you want to belong?" I half whispered.His expression changed with quicksilver speed, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Anywhere they don't want me.”

“I love you, he thought, looking at Win. I love every part of you, every thought and word... the entire complex, fascinating bundle of all the things you are. I want you with ten different kinds of need at once. I love all the seasons of you, the way you are now, the thought of how much more beautiful you'll be in the decades to come. I love you for being the answer to every question my heart could ask.And it seemed so easy, once he capitulated. It seemed natural and right.Kev wasn't certain if he was surrendering to Win or to his own passion for her. Only that there was no more holding back. He would take her. And he would give her everything he had, every part of his soul, even the broken pieces.”

“What did you do with memories, feelings, needs, that didn’t belong anywhere?”

“Kev wasn't certain if he was surrendering to Win or to his own passion for her. Only that there was no more holding back. He would take her. And he would give her everything he had, every part of his soul, even the broken pieces.”