“Getting a full-body buzz with a guy I'd just met was as weird as seeing dead people. But much more enjoyable.”

“It's different this time.""It was different last time."Thomas tried again. "This guy-""Has a third eye you can visibly see?”

“How do you tell the difference between real people and time ripples?""You mean besides punching them in the stomach?" I blushed, not because I'd hit him, but because I was thinking about his abs.”

“Aren't I supposed to be brave, fearless? Isn't that what the world expects?" "Screw what the world expects. Think about all the things you've faced. You cracked, but you didn't break. You're still standing. I'd call that fearless. You've already conquered so much.”

“Just Michael, how grateful I was that he was alive, how much I wanted to touch him. How much I wanted him to touch me.He kept his eyes on the activity outside. "Emerson, you can't look at me like that. Not right now.""How do you know I'm looking at you?""I can feel it." He smiled. I couldn't see it, but I could hear it in his voice. He hooked one arm around my neck and gently pulled me to his side.”

“Would you like to try this again then, another time?""I'd very much like to try this again, another time." He grinned, but it carried a touch of sadness. "I'll give you a second to...uh...fix your hair.""My hair?""I'll give you a second to fix my hair. I mean, I'll give you a second while I go fix my hair." He let out a sigh. "I mean, I'll see you downstairs."He turned to walk out of the room, but unfortunately, he forgot to open the door first. I managed to hold my laughter until he got it right.”

“Ever since the day I got a voice mail and met up with a slightly older woman at Riverbank Park, the title of 'my girl' has been reserved.""So you like older women?"He lifted his hand and gave his bedroom door a solid push. A soft snick told me it had closed behind me."I like you. And I see now that I should have cleared that up a long time ago.”