All Mattia saw was a shadow moving toward him. He instinctively closed his eyes and then felt Alice’s hot mouth on his, her tears on his cheek, or maybe they weren’t hers, and finally her hands, so light, holding his head still and catching all his thoughts and imprisoning them there, in the space that no longer existed between them.

She found herself thinking of how it would feel to be safely trapped in his arms, with no more possibility to choose.

She hadn't chosen him over all the others. The truth was that she hadn't even thought about anyone else.

[Their love] had burned itself out, like a forgotten candle in an empty room, leaving behind a ravenous discontent.

All Mattia saw was a shadow moving toward him. He instinctively closed his eyes and then felt Alice’s hot mouth on his, her tears on his cheek, or maybe they weren’t hers, and finally her hands, so light, holding his head still and catching all his thoughts and imprisoning them there, in the space that no longer existed between them.

All opening moves were the same, like in chess. You don't have to come up with anything new, there's no point, because you're both after the same thing anyway. The game soon finds its own way and it's only at that point that you need a strategy.

The love of those we don't love in return settles on the surface and from there quickly evaporates.