“No, no buts," he interrupted with a shake of his head. "I'm tired of people telling what i feel and how i should feel. I know it sounds crazy, but i know what i feel. i know this is real.”

“I know what that feels like. I know what it’s like to care about someone so much they make you desperate.”

“I don’t know why I feel so compelled to tell Olivia all my dirty little secrets, but I do”

“Please don't tell her i told you. I know how much you love her, Hardy, and i know the reason she didn't want you to know is because she loves you, too. I've never seen two people your age feel so deeply about each other. I understand you needing to know, but she would never forgive me.”

“How can you make me feel this way? I barely know you.”

“I know what he’s doing, what he’s getting at. And I understand it. I understand guilt. But when I nod my head and smile in agreement, it’s only for his benefit. What he doesn’t know is that I will never leave him like she did. Never. I’ll never choose a cushy life of means over the people I love. Never.”

“I pause. My face feels warm, but pleasantly so. It occurs to me that, no matter how much I avoid him, no matter how wrong I know he is for me, he is going to be nearly impossible to resist.Dammit!”