“I know. And I couldn't wait any longer, I have to tell you - "The panic rises, and I grip the French band tighter. "Cricket, please -"But his words pour forth in a torrent. "I can't stop thinking about you, and I'm not the guy I used to be, I've changed -""Cricket -" I look back up, feeling faint.His blue eyes are bright. Sincere. Desperate. "Go out with me tonight. Tomorrow night, every ni -" The words cut off in his throat as he sees something behind me.Cigarettes and spearmint. I want to die."This is Max. My boyfriend. Max, this is Cricket Bell.”

“Cricket tells a joke and turns to see if I'm laughing, if I think he's funny, and I want him to know that I do think he's funny, and I want him to know that I'm glad he's my friend, and I want him to know that he has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. And I want to press my palm against his chest to feel it beat, to prove he's really here.”

“I draw him closer by his tie and whisper into his ear, "Cricket Bell, I have been in love with you for my entire life.”

“His hand slid up my spine, bringing me closer, pinning my hands between us as I watched his neck bend.I had a feeling I knew where this was going."Max," I warned, my body bracing."Quiet," he ordered softly. "Got a point to make, honey.""Max!" I snapped."Let's see how good this could be," he muttered, his eyes on my mouth and I knew, I just knew, he was going to kiss me."Max, don't you-"But his fingers had sifted into my hair against my scalp cupping my head, holding me steady and his mouth came down on mine, cutting off my words.”

“Lola?" Cricket is on his knees at the side of my bed. I feel it. "I'm here," he whispers. "You can talk to me or not talk to me, but I'm here.”

“I looked into his clear, gray determined eyes."Max-""I got in," he declared and he could say that again."Max-""I'm in, Duchess, you think for a second I'm gonna let you push me out?""Um...""I'm not.""Max-"His hands started roaming and he stated, "No fuckin' way.”