“It suddenly occurred to me that, after all that frolicking in the meadows, he hadn't kissed me. Was it because of the mold that grew in my sinuses?”

“Ren," I whispered. "I want-"And then I was leaning over him, my cropped hair brushing against his cheeks as I bent to kiss him. Our lips met and I felt like I was diving into oblivion. The kiss grew deep, inmediate and hungry. He lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist, molding my body against his.”

“There was something about his eyes—the color of the periwinkle that grew at the base of the trees in the Meadow, such a deep blue—that made me feel as if he could see my dearest wishes, my darkest thoughts, before they made themselves known to me. And that simply by seeing them, he was also giving me permission to follow them. Perhaps he was even showing me the way.”

“It hadn't even occured to me that somebody would believe mine.”

“And it suddenly occured to me that maybe peace was possible.”

“You love me?" he asked suddenly and, at his question, my stomach flipped then twisted."Yes.""Then fuckin' kiss me good morning, Ace," he demanded softly but firmly.”