Danielle Lori

“We are most alive when we’re in love.”

—John Updike

He wanted me, and he hated it

“Fine.” He shook his head, his eyes flashing with darkness. “How about because I love you, Gianna? Because I think I have since the moment I saw you? Because if you weren’t in this world anymore, I would find a way to take myself out of it?”

“Show me.”

Instead of taking the phone from my hand, he pulled me onto his lap.

And I had a bad, bad feeling that if this girl used the word please, I would give her anything she wanted.

If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all.”

—Audrey Hepburn

Having to force a smile. Squeezing myself into this person I didn’t think I could be anymore.

I want to be enough for you.

I want you to want only me.

He was comfort, security, and need, all in one.

It had a name.

Home.

“Because you were mine.”