“I am going down first.Of course you're going down first, you're the guy.”

“And no man, not even Cyprien, could chase a girl with his pants down.”

“You're a quiet, beautiful woman in a loud, ugly place. An orchid among weeds. You define obvious.”

“She was halfway through the second yard when she heard Cyprien fall and curse.No man in the world will turn down a blow job, Alex thought as she dodged through yards and around the houses, putting as much distance between them as she could. And no man, not even Cyprien, could chase a girl with his pans down.”

“They forbade me to leave the island.” He brushed my hair back from my forehead. “ I thought it would be better if I stayed away, but I was wrong. Without you, I was lonely and miserable and empty. Every night I could think of nothing but you.”“ I know exactly what you mean” I saw one of the zookeepers peering into the bushes. “They’re coming. You should go.”“No.” he put his arms around my waist. “I’m not going to leave you again.”

“I cannot think of a life without him in it. I cannot bury another son. This time I fear they will have to put me in the ground with him.”

“Yours is... il sent comme lavande."Is that French for 'You stink'?"It means 'lavender'."Huh." She sniffed at her wrist. "I thought I smelled more like a grape Popsicle.”