So," she went on, "it got me thinking about what cost beauty. Or for that matter, what cost anything? Would you trade love for beauty? Or happiness for beauty? Could a gorgeous person with a mean streak be a worthy trade? And if you did make the trade, decide you'd take that beautiful swan and hope it wouldn't turn on you, what would you do if it did?

And no relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain something greater.

Then what are you like, Annabel?" he shot back. "A liar, like you told me that first day? Come on. That was the biggest lie of all.

If you're not getting hurt, you're not riding hard enough.

There's just something obvious about emptiness, even when you try to convince yourself otherwise.

Really, it had been stupid to expect anything anyway. A few late nights does not a habit, or a relationship, make.

Self respect, Colie. If you don't have it, the world will walk all over you.