Don't tell readers what to think. Let the action speak for itself.

But in the end, fighting for a love that was already gone felt like trying to live in the ruins of a lost city.

I preferred to look at the sea, which said nothing and never made you feel alone.

I'd never met anyone so vibrant or alive. He moved like light.

I didn't want to be a sweet boy's sweet girlfriend. I wanted to be Fawn's equal, the kind of girl who stood up for herself and took care of business, who cut guys loose when it was required.

How unbelievably naive we both were that night. We clung hard to each other, making vows we couldn't keep and should never have spoken aloud. That's how love is sometimes. I already loved him more than I'd ever loved anything or anyone. I knew he needed me absolutely, and I wanted him to go on needing me forever.

I'd had my share of rain. My mother's illness ... had weighed on me, but the years before had been heavy, too. I was only twenty eight.