You didn't have to go to the fireworks with him. Or - or let him fondle you." "Fondle?" Raisa raised her eyebrows, "When did I mention fondling?

The time will come when you will be forced to make a choice,” Hanalea said. “When that time comes, choose love.

Just tell me you don't love me, and I'll let the matter drop." "What?" "What I said. Just say, 'Rai, I don't love you and I never will'. It's that simple." "Raisa, this is getting us nowhere." "Say it!

Both Averill and Bayar were like actors speaking lines for their audience and not to each other.

He expects nothing, she thought, because he's never had anything. And nothing was expected of him. He was free in a way she never would be.

They were like two pieces of a failed star, drawn together by a shared history and a memory of illicit kisses.

I have to think it's possible to suffer a great wrong and walk away from it. To build a life of small, exquisitely important moments.