The Selection (The Selection, #1)

by Kiera Cass

Lots of times when girls cry, they don’t want you to fix the problem, they just want to be consoled,” I advised.

“Honestly? I was convinced you were sending me home after breakfast anyway,” I admitted. “Honestly? I had considered that myself.”

“Oh, yes. She’s still here,” Maxon said, not letting his eyes wander from Gavril’s face. “And I plan on keeping her here for quite a while.”

In my experience, true love is usually the most inconvenient kind.” I smiled weakly.

“Maxon, I hope you find someone you can’t live without. I really do. And I hope you never have to know what

it’s like to have to try and live without them.”

“Sure, if you like the lovable sound of an asthma attack in your ear every time you tell a joke.” Marlee lost it and doubled over in laughter.

retold the story for the third time. “She and Maxon had gone hunting, but you knew that,”

“If you don’t want me to be in love with you, you’re going to have to stop looking so lovely. First thing tomorrow I’m having your maids sew some potato sacks together for you.”

“I’m not kidding. You’re too beautiful for your own good.

was surprised to see that he was close enough to kiss me.

I was even more surprised when he did.

“I’m erasing that memory. I think we can do better.”

“One can never help being born into perfection,” I whispered.

Something about the tentativeness of it made me feel beautiful. Without a word, I could understand how excited he was to have this moment, but then afraid at the same time. And deeper than any of that, I sensed that he adored me.

“Yes, Maxon,” I whispered. “It’s possible.”

I couldn’t believe how shattered I felt.

“He took me to the roof.

He just pulled me in and kissed me.”

She said crown, not him.

“She’s drunk.

And there was Aspen.

For all his talk about wanting a soul mate, maybe all he wanted was a bedmate.

They were Southerners.

“When you left me in the tree house, you crushed me.”

“So you’re choosing him over me?”

“No, I’m not choosing him or you. I’m choosing me.”