Ignite Me (Shatter Me, #3)

by Tahereh Mafi

Strange things and irrational things and things that flutter against my chest and braid my bones together.

“Do you never get exhausted being so wholly unbearable? You have as much charisma as the rotting innards of unidentified roadkill.”

“I love you,” I whisper. “I love you exactly as you are.”

Warner is looking at me like he might be going deaf and blind at the same time. “No,” he gasps. One broken, broken word. Barely even a sound. He’s shaking his head and he’s looking away from me and his hand is caught in his hair, his body turned toward the table and he says “No. No, no—” “Aaron—” “No,” he says, backing away. “No, you don’t know what you’re saying—” “I love you,” I tell him again. “I love you and I want you and I wanted you then,” I say to him, “I wanted you so much and I still want you, I want you right now—

I grieve nothing. I take everything.” I stare into his eyes for what feels like forever. He leans into my ear. Lowers his voice. “Ignite, my love. Ignite.”

Twice. Once for Adam. Once for Warner.