“If you’re trying to Seduce me, Vane, you’re a bit late. At his point I’m pretty much a sure thing for you.”

“I elbow him. “You’re such a pig.”He grins. “I’m not a pig, I’m a guy—which, now that I think about it, is pretty much the same thing. Point taken.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I’m all right?” I say.“No, I’m pretty sure you’re not all right.”He shakes his head. “I’m going to ask you not to make any decisions until we’ve talkedabout it.”

“He leaned back a little, not taking his arm from around me, but looking into my eyes.“You’re changing, Zoey. And I’m not sure what you’re changing into.”

“Up to this point your life has pretty much sucked. You’re not responsible for that. But you are responsible for what happens from here on.”

“But then I think about where knowing somebody has gotten me: nowhere. No. someplace worse than nowhere, because when you’re nowhere I’m pretty sure you feel nothing.”