His face held a certain impassivity; you see it in all waiters and valets. They might want to jam a knife through your left eye socket, but you'd never know it from their expression. Working retail, I've acquired a similar look myself.

Because I love you.' It was easy to say it this time now that I understood what it meant. Then I quoted his own words back to him. 'Not just when it's easy. All the time.

Don’t let them see you weak.

My heart should be breaking, too, but there comes a point when you’re so inured to loss that you no longer feel the lash.

Like most, I was a mix of good and bad, anger and protectiveness, kindness and pride. But right now, I had only strangled fear and the promise of revenge.

Because it takes more courage to heal the world's hurts than to inflict them.

My heart shifted a little in my chest; it seemed to swell and beat against my bones until I couldn't hear.