The Rule Book

by Sarah Adams

But dammit, I do. Because this is Nora. My Nora. And this is why I told myself not to look in her eyes, because then I’ll see everything we once were reflected in them. I’ll see that she’s more gut-wrenchingly beautiful than ever, and no matter what she does or where she goes, in my heart she’ll always be mine. And I hate her for it.

And in tiny invisible ink subtext scribbled on the bottom corner of my heart: I miss my Derek.

Because when a man doesn’t encourage you to reach for the stars, Nora Bug, he’s putting you in a glass jar to contain your light. We don’t have

to settle for air through holes poked in the top of a lid. We get to become stars ourselves

Love your body—it works hard for you every day of your life.

“Because regardless of how it ended, I needed a way to prove it existed.”

I wanted her. Still want her. Will likely spend forever wanting her. But not just in a physical sense. I want her as my best friend, my favorite person to talk to,

the one who I walk with through every good and bad season. I want so much more with her than just that kiss on the beach.

Feminism, my love, is about uplifting women and fighting for our rights to

equality and choice.

It’s not about what that choice is, it’s about your freedom to make it.

Nathan and Bree together through a romantic cheat sheet.

“You’re a gemstone. Rare and unique and vibrant.

For real. For always. For eternity. Stay with me. Let me love you fully and desperately forever and ever.”

yours, Nora. I always have been. Always will be.”