“It takes a lot of spine and stomach to make yourself into something when no one gives you a foundation.”

“I haven't been with a man before.""I know it." Adelia's smile was soft, almost wistful. "Do you think I wouldn't know if that had changed for you? You think too much of yourself to give what you are to something unless it matters.No one's mattered before.”

“Couples take care of each other, Clare, that's what makes them a couple. And couples tell each other when something happens that scares them.”

“Somethings in life are out of your control. you can make it a party or a tragedy. Or, you could refuse to take the next step. You could refuse to take what you wanted most because you're afraid some day you might lose it.”

“When you could dissect something and find all the answers, you could find all the wrong ones”

“It does not make you less of a woman to need a man. To need one to exist, yes, this is nonsense. To need one to give one scope and importance, this is dishonest. But to need a man, one man, to bring joy and passion? This is life”

“I don't think you tell someone you love them because you expect something. I think you tell them because you have something to give.”