“Bruises and dried blood covered her face, giving the illusion of chicken pox.”

“The embrace at the airport and stolen glances of Poe wasn't enough for him. Oliver needed to be closer to her again--emotionally and physically. His stomach clenched. Why couldn't Poe be his?”

“Poe, come on. Don't be like this." She avoided his gaze, and that was killing him. He'd rather she yell at him than give him nothing at all.”

“Oliver knocked on the door, trying to keep his fear in check. Dominic didn't answer. Oliver looked around the porch for a hidden key, frantically searching under the welcome mat, but to no avail.”

“How dare she not give in to his "vulnerability." There was only so much rejection he could take.”

“Finia glanced towards her bedroom, wishing the darkness would swallow her whole.”

“Mackenzie glanced through the glass doors. It was dark outside, except for the dim light from the front entrance. A night breeze swooshed leaves throughout the parking lot.”

“Mackenzie flinched. Struggling to breathe, she stood up and walked over to the table.”

“What did he want? What did he mean he was in the right place?”

“Just one pit stop, Rae. One pit stop that won't even take an hour. Then it's over. It's finally over.”

“Yeah, there has to be a few screws loose when a girl asks you to drop everything to spend a three-day weekend on very short notice, and you say okey dokey without a care in the world.”