Haven't you heard about me?" he said, with a tight smile. "I'm really a very dangerous person." And he did look dangerous until he said, "Look, could you watch Dog for me while I'm gone? I can't take him where I'm going.

Well now, Jack," Hastings said from the sidelines. "I'm afraid you've been beheaded. Not a good start." He sounded amused.

And, like a fool, she kissed him back. Kissed him a way that would leave no doubt about the way she felt about him. Kissed him because she knew the chances were slim she'd have very many kisses like that in her lifetime. Which is a sad thing when you're only seventeen.

Did the destruction of one dream leave a vacuum that required filling with another? Is a broken heart more vulnerable?

He swept Raisa up into his arms and kissed her like it was his first, last, and only

But maybe it's better to go after something, and not get it, than to not even try.

Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.