“Actually," Alan said, earnest and clear-eyed, "this is my first time playing poker.”

“Unfortunately, the headlights of the car were bright enough for them to see Mae's outfit quite clearly. "Oh my God," said Nick, and shut his eyes. Jamie gave a small, nervous laugh. "What?" Mae demanded. "Alan told us that we were supposed to dress as we truly are!" "And you felt that what you truly are is a Christmas tree with too much tinsel." Nick grinned. "Huh.”

“Nick spoke for the first time. "Can I go to the nurse's office too?" Ms. Popplewell looked at him It obviously took her only one look to decide. "No.""I'm traumatized too," Nick claimed, his voice completely flat."He's a delicate flower," Alan said under his breath.”

“It's the closest place to Exeter they could have chosen," Alan said. "We can pick up Mae and Jamie on the way."Nick rolled his eyes. "Thrill me, why don't you.”

“Sin met Mae and Alan coming into the flat.Mae frowned. "Is it no-shirts festival day?""Every day with Nick is no-shirts festival day," Alan said absently, but he was frowning too.”

“In two worlds," said Alan quietly, "there is nothing I love half as much as you.”

“I don't have deal breakers," Alan said. "I look on tempests, and am never shaken.”