“Did you miss me?’“A little bit,” she said with a shrug.“You have tears running down your cheeks,” he said with a grin. “I think you missed me more than a little.”

“That would never do, I'm sure,' said Alice: `the governess would never think of excusing me lessons for that. If she couldn't remember my name, she'd call me "Miss!" as the servants do.' Well. if she said "Miss," and didn't say anything more,' the Gnat remarked, `of course you'd miss your lessons. That's a joke. I wish YOU had made it.' Why do you wish I had made it?' Alice asked. `It's a very bad one.' But the Gnat only sighed deeply, while two large tears came rolling down its cheeks. You shouldn't make jokes,' Alice said, `if it makes you so unhappy.”

“He's twenty-nine. And what did you think he was going to look like?"She shrugged."You know-old. Grizzled. Long white beard. Scruffy robes. Loveable, smart, a little absent minded." I bit back a grin. " I said 'sorcerer,' not 'Dumbledore.' So he's hot. It could be worse.”

“She frowned. “Did I do or say something yesterday that I should apologize for?”“Not you cupcake,” said Graydon. “But apparently a lot of other people in the Tower have. Rune thinks we should rename it Melrose Place. I think Peyton Place has a more classic feel to it, don’t you?”“Oh no,” she said. “You got the tablecloth away from Tricks.”Rune grinned. “Not before the little shit bit me.”

“Sean grinned. “And like the pro you are, you didn’t miss a beat.”“It takes more than a naked chest to rattle me,” she shot back. “Don’t forget, I was able to do love sceneswith Marcus and not puke.”“You should get a reward for that."“I did,” she said softly. “I get to work with you.”

“I want you to stay with me,” he said. “And that’s the problem. Every time you leave me, I need you a little bit more.”