Keep in mind that people change, but the past doesn't.

Wow. Nice bike,” I said. Which was a lie. It looked like a glossy black death trap.

I forced a smile. It was the one I'd been practicing all morning. It felt tight at the edges and brittle everywhere in between.

Nothing makes me happy quite like a boatload of freshly fried fast food, smothered in good old MSG.

Did you hear something, Nora?” Vee asked. “I thought I heard something.” “You definitely heard something,” I agreed. “Could that be … a dog fart I heard?” Vee asked me.

Is that a yes?" he asked, pushing his fingers through my hair, fanning it out around my shoulders and searching my face intently. "Please let it be yes," he said with a gravelly edge. "Stay with me tonight. Let me hold you, even if that's all it is. Let me keep you safe.

The sensible part of me wanted to dissect my emotions, overthinking and overcomplicating my reaction to Jev.