“I have trust issues.”“I know. I’m on a mission to cure you of that.”

“I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shinning armor.”

“You can’t keep her.”I know that. But I’m not ready to give her up just yet.”

“You were lookin’ at me like you wanted to kiss me.”I force a laugh. “Yeah, right,” I say sarcastically.“Nobody’s watchin’ if you want to, you know, try it. Not to brag, but I’m somewhat of an expert.”

“Just so you know, I’m goin’ to enlist.”“I’m proud of you. But why?”I groan against the pain but manage to give him a half smile. “I want to make sure Kiara’s got a boyfriend who has more to offer than a hot bod and a face that could make angels weep.”

“I’m staring into chocolate eyes. although my brain is cloudedand I’m dizzy, I know enough to register that chocolate is theopposite of blue. I don’t want blue. Blue confuses me too much.Chocolate is straight-forward, easier to deal with.”

“I’m not going anywhere until you hear me out.”Oh, please no. Anything except having to listen to her lecture. I push the button that calls the nurse.“Can we help you, Alex?” a voice bellows through the speaker.“I’m bein’ tortured.”