“I'm a virgin, Ariel," I whispered conspiratorially. "Sealed up like a Swiss bank account.”

“This boy at school taught me. But then he pulled my ponytail on the playground the next day, so I'm not really friends with him anymore.""Why did he pull your ponytail?""Momma says boys are mean when they like you," she whispered in a disgusted voice. "But I think Momma's been misinformed.”

“After all, I got you in the end, didn’t I?”“Nuhuh, I got you,” Merrick whispered in my ear.”

“We've got work to do. Strip." "Strip for what?" "I'm going to measure you for your dress. Strip!" Rachel saved me…sort of. "You can do her measurements with her clothes on, Mamma," she chastised. "Oh, I know I can." She pointed at me. "But look at her face! Ha! I just wanted to see her face pucker up like that.”

“In the words of some really beautiful smart girl I know, just give me what I want," Caleb whispered.”

“Do you still want this?" she asked in a whisper. "More than I want to breathe," he said in a groan.”

“I like your room," I said truthfully."Yeah? I like it too. Mom tried to guy it all up when I left for school but...""Guy it all up?" I asked, cocking a questioning brow at him."Yeah. When I came back my first break from college, she had decorated everything in swimming. Water waves bedspread. Michael Phelps posters, my old trophies and medals on my shelf. She even had a poster over my bed that said 'Swimmers Do It Right'." I laughed and then covered it with my hand. "Yeah, so I fixed it. I like things plain, not loud.”