So he enjoys a girl who stands up to him," Dad said once we all calmed down. "I like him more already.

It was a special feeling, irreplaceable, that was priceless. No queen on the throne could feel more important than me.

It was almost comforting, this mutual acceptance of our secrets.

If this were a simpler matter, I'd have eliminated everyone else by now. I know how I feel about you. Maybe it's impulsive of me to think I could be so sure, but I'm certain I would be happy with you.

I couldn't joke about the person who'd saved me from facing absolute heartbreak at home, who fed my family boxes of sweets, who ran to me worried that i was hurt if I asked for him. A month ago, I had looked at the TV and seen a stiff, distant, boring person-someone I couldn't imagine anyone loving. And while he wasn't anything close to the person I did love, he was worthy of having someone to love in his life.

There are some things you don't learn about yourself until you let someone else into the most intimate places of your heart.

The Angeles air was quiet, and for a while I laid still, listening to the sound of Maxon breathing.