“You're stressing too much about what might be. Do something to take your mind off thinking about what might never happen.”

“A garter. You’re supposed to take it off and keep it as a memento. K-k-kinda like a trophyfor going far sexually with a girl. It’s stupid, really. And kind of d-d-degrading if I think aboutit too m-m-much.”“I know what it is,” he says, amusement evident in his voice. “I just wanted to hear yourexplanation.”

“[about her offer of a Swedish massage]Alex: You're not Swedish. Brittany: Yeah, well, neither are you. So if I do it wrong you'll never know the difference.”

“What happens when I break one of your fuckin’ rules?”

“Tell me somethin’ you do that would shock me.”She sits back on the couch. “Shock you?”“Yeah. Shock me to the core.”She sits up on her knees and leans toward me. “I’ve thought about you, Carlos,” she whispers in my ear. “At night, in bed. I think about kissing you, our tongues sliding against each other’s, while your hands are buried in my hair. When I think about feeling those ripples inyour naked chest I touch my—”“Here’s more popcorn!” Westford says, barging into the room with two big bowls filled to therim with freshly popped popcorn. “Kiara, what are you doing?”

“He has no clue that I have the patience of a saint. At least that's what Carlos says, although that isn't saying much, considering his fuse is about as short as an eyelash.”

“I like that girl more than I can remember likin’ anything in my life. I’m not about to give her up. I’ll start carin’ about what other people think when I’m six feet under.”