I would want forever with you.

— Penny Reid

My type has a romantic soul. He'll make my heart and my brain fight over who gets him first. He does what's right, even when it's not easy - actually, especially when it's not easy. Furthermore, he knows the value of discipline, education, honor, and restraint. And his strength of character is the only thing that out weighs the strength of his love for me.

— Penny Reid

My upstairs brain and my downstairs brain engaged in a game of risk, and it was downstairs’ turn to roll the dice.

— Penny Reid

Sandra.”“Thomas, I….”“You called.” He sounded concerned.“Yes, I….”“Why are you calling? Are you harmed?”“No….”“Are you rescheduling our Saturday lunch?”“No….”“Is this an emergency?”“Stop asking questions and just listen.”“Why are you calling?” I sighed, rolled my eyes. This was why I never called Thomas. “I need your help.”“Do you need money?”“Thomas, I swear, if you ask me another question, I will secretly switch your caffeinated with decaf during Saturday lunch at least three times over the next six months.” I could tell he was thinking about my threat, weighing it against the compulsion of his curiosity. Belatedly he said, “Proceed

— Penny Reid

She disliked me. But she worshiped my brother. He didn't see her, not really. Not like I did.

— Penny Reid

She was a damn good kisser, maybe the best I'd ever had the immense pleasure of kissing. It helped that her lips were like pillows and she tasted sweet. Not like strawberries or peaches. Sunshine and sweet—her own brand of it. Plus there was desperation in the kiss, an understated but raw passion I couldn't recall ever experiencing before. Or maybe that had been me. Maybe I'd been the passionate, desperate one. No matter. Either way, she'd stolen my breath, robbed me of thought and sense. She was a master thief, and I loved her for it.

— Penny Reid

Since I spent much of my childhood being left behind and ignored, one might think that, as an adult, moments of perceived abandonment would feel old hat. The truth is, as an adult, I am always waiting to be left behind. I’m always ready to be discarded and, therefore, I spend a significant amount of time preparing for this eventuality. I lower my expectations, I don’t seek out meaningful relationships, and I don’t engage in any sort of real intimacy, physical or otherwise. Engage is the key word here. Except, when I engage, when it happens, when I’m left behind it doesn’t feel old hat. It feels like it did the first time, and it takes me by surprise. So, I don’t let it happen.

— Penny Reid

The protector inside me was frowning while the predator soaked up her discomfort with glee.

— Penny Reid

This is just your penis having the feels for my vagina. Your penis is making prank calls! And every single time your penis makes a prank call, my vagina answers the phone. And then you hang up. Or your penis claims wrong number or misdeal or no Pablo Singles. It's infuriating, and it's called genital call me, maybe.

— Penny Reid

When you cried, I learned what helplessness tastes like. Because all I could do was swallow.

— Penny Reid