Morning, he said, headed for the coffeepot. When he got back to the table and sat, he was met by her glare. What? he asked, perplexed. I cannot believe you did that, she said. Did what? he asked. My b...
Mind if I ask how you learned that? It was a long time ago—when I was in my last year of college. There had been some rapes around the campus and a bunch of us went to a self-defense instructor togeth...
Mike? Sam asked. I didn’t expect to see you. I decided not to call ahead, sir, he said. I thought— Brie appeared from around the corner, standing behind her dad. Mike? she asked in equal surprise. He...
Mike never left her side. When she couldn’t keep food down, his arms were around her as she lost it in the bathroom. At night he held her protectively, securely, gently. When a fright woke her with a...
Know how to make a small fortune? Sully asked Frank. Take a large fortune and put it into educating a neurosurgeon who decides to quit and sell picnic supplies.
Jack’s. He’d only been there a minute, waiting for someone to come from the back to serve him, when Mel struggled into the bar, baby against her chest, toddler in hand, diaper bag slung over her shoul...
Jack’s right—you shouldn’t be getting yourself into this mess. We can still get away, me and Christopher. I can get to that address in Washington, get things in order. Get into that underground that g...
I’m being too pushy, aren’t I? Ellie shook her head. I don’t deserve you, she said in a whisper. I think you’re the best friend I’ve ever had. At least since my gramma… Jo shrugged. Honey, you’re my o...
It’s so hard, Andy said. When you don’t have anyone.Yeah, I know, Gerri agreed. Yet it’s harder when you have the wrong one.
It was very hard for him to admit it to himself, but having her around had brought him a strange comfort, and he had no idea why. Looking out for her made him feel better somehow. Making sure she was...
In the end, where I live isn’t going to be up to me. I’m not letting them get away. If Abby insists on living in some godforsaken place like London, I’ll follow. Mel couldn’t help it, she burst out la...
If you get a whiff of anything in there that has my scent on it, back away. If you touch it, you’re a dead man. Sean grinned. Okay, now I’m catching on. Oh man, this is going to be fun. He jumped out...
If she looked his way, even once, he’d have to think of something clever to say. He’d have to smile, walk confidently across the room to their table, say hello and get friendly. He’d have to make them...
I need some time for the rest. I just don’t take something like marriage lightly. If I do it, I’ll mean it, and I won’t change my mind. But I think you’d do it right now for all the wrong reasons. Doe...
I just don’t want your family to think we’re in a serious relationship. Aren’t we? he asked her. Aren’t you? You know there’s no one else in my life, she said. I’m completely monogamous. I just need t...
I have nothing again, she said. A little suitcase, a car with stolen license plates on it, a child and one on the way... You have everything, he said. A car with stolen license plates, a son, a baby o...
He said he loved me and wanted me no matter what my past had been like, no matter what load I was bringing along. That’s never been a secret in our family—that
He found his scrappy older brother all soft around the edges, doting on his beautiful, sexy young wife, ever at her hand. If he saw her wrestling a full laundry basket into the bedroom, he took it fro...
He couldn’t resist. He touched her hair, gazed into her eyes. Out of Paul’s earshot he said, I hope I get a chance to show you I’m a better deal. I can be there for you through all this crap. I’d neve...
Goddamn it, he muttered. She smiled at him. Nice language for someone on his way to church. *