“I honestly don't think you do, at least not completely. Look, you will always hold a special place in my heart, but I can’t keep competing for a battle that’s already won.”

“I watched you while you were sleeping and you looked completely at peace. I wish I could feel that. I wish I could close my eyes and feel at peace. But I can’t. I can’t feel anything if I’m notwith you, and even then all I can do is want something that I don’t think I can ever have, at least not now. So I left this, and my peace, with you. Stark.”

“No Layla, I couldn’t. I won’t ever think he deserves you. I will always think he’s wrong for you and I willforever wish it was me in his place. But if being civil to him and pretending that I’m not completely obsessed with you is what it takes to keep you inmy life, I’ll do it and maybe, someday I won’t have to pretend anymore. But I wouldn’t hold my breath. I even promise to stop calling him names.”

“Who needs a house? I'm talking about your heart. You have plenty of guest rooms there. And that's what you do. You open your heart to people. You keep lovely little rooms in there, just waiting for your friends to come visit. People feel as if they can come right in, just as they are. You don't entertain, you love. That's what lasts. That's why people like me feel as if I will always be your friend. You hold a special place for me in your heart.”

“You know, I honestly can’t remember a time when you weren’t covered in scrapes and bruises. I would blame it on you trying to keep up with the boys if they weren’t always struggling to keep up with you.”

“I love you so much, I think there are burn marks on my heart.” Blake touched his chest.“Do they hurt?”“Only when I’m not holding you.”“Hold me always then. I’m yours.”