Rose, I cheat at cards and buy liquor for minors. But I would never, ever force you into something you don't want.

This is a, uh, friendship ring right?” “Yeah, don’t worry. If I propose, you’ll know it. For one thing, I’ll be hyperventilating.” A sly smile—surprisingly sexy—turned up his lips. “And it’ll be a ruby.” “Rubies? No diamonds? Too expensive for the old writer’s salary, huh?” He made a disparaging grunt at that. “No, I just think diamonds are common, that’s all. If I get married, it’ll be because something uncommon is occurring. Besides, you wear a lot of red, right? I know how important it is for your accessories to match.

So. You’re saying my sister’s dressed like a prostitute

Nothing he said could change what I think of you. I've had my mind made up about you for a long time... and it's all good.

Nah. I’m a consultant, of course. Everyone’s favorite nondescript yet well-paid white-collar job.

No," he said, voice thick and husky. His fingers dug into the chair's arms. "You'd better not get too close." I stopped, laughing softly. "You don't strike me as the assaulting type, Mortensen." "Yeah, well, there's a first time for everything.

My mom beat me up," I informed my reflection. It looked back sympathetically.