“That depends on the man. I like breasts myself. A nice rack goes a long way in getting me to do just about anything. Even stupid things. (Phobos)You are so offensive! (Delphine)Oh, please, I’m ten thousand years old. You’re lucky I’m not more chauvinistic than I am. Babe, I’ve come a long way. (Phobos)”

“You think we stand a chance? (Delphine)Like an icicle on the equator. (Phobos)”

“Why would you do that? (Delphine)Why do you think? (Jericho)Because I’m a bossy hag and you’d rather be enslaved to a man you hate than deal with me. (Delphine)You know…you’re not funny. (Jericho)I think I’m hysterical. (Delphine)”

“And as I recall, you told me to shut up. (Acheron)I’m an asshole. I admit it. I’ve been going to weekly Assholes Anonymous meetings, but it takes a long time to undo a few thousand years of habit. And to think you have even more years to undo than me. (Zarek)”

“Phoenix sank to the desk chair and stared at her computer screen. “I don’t know. I’ve lived like this for so long, it’s who I am. Everything seems so stupid. Like, look at this girl,writing to Sasha. She’s all”—he spoke in a falsetto voice—“‘OMG!’ and ‘LOL!’ and ‘WTF?’ and ‘Girl, you should totes go out with Tyler in Telluride!’” He looked up at her.“You’re seventeen years old, and this is how seventeenyear-olds talk to each other. I’m a thousand years old, and this stuff is like alien-speak to me. If I found another Anabo,she’d be writing OMG and I’d be thinking, You’re f’ingkidding me.”

“There’s a pause so yawning I can’t help but think about what it would be like to lean in and kiss her, but if I’m getting the signals wrong then I’m about to destroy the best run we’ve had all evening. It’s been at least ten minutes since I’ve done or said anything stupid.”