“We may run into Kevin,” Lucy said gloomily.“She’s hoping to run into Kevin,” Zoë assured her.Justine smiled grimly. “Preferably with my car.”

“I'm not running away from my fears," I told Dane. "I'm running away from my relatives.”

“You're unbelievable," he said in a low voice, and it wasn't a compliment. "It amazes me that there was ever a time I thought you needed toughening up.""Would you prefer someone more...helpless?"Even Lucy had to admit that she had pushed him too far.”

“Sam was waiting for her,his gaze sweeping over her. "Looks great." "I look like a geek," Lucy said. "I smell like a brewery. And I need a bra.""My dream date.”

“There isn’t going to be a ‘next lover,’” Grant said automatically, outraged by the idea. “I’m the only man she’s going to have.”

“No matter how strong our resolve, we eventually find ourselves enslaved by the compulsive preference for one particular woman. You’ve been caught, my friend. You may as well reconcile yourself to it.” Nick did not bother trying to deny it. “I was going to be so much smarter than you,” he muttered. Sir Ross grinned. “I prefer to think that intelligence has nothing to do with it. For if a man’s intellect is measured by his ability to remain untouched by love, I would be the greatest idiot alive.”

“As he looked up and saw is audience poised on the staircase, he gave a curt nod that barely passed for a greeting."Well," Lucy said, "it looks as if you Christmas spirit has undergone a beating.”