Finding Hayes (Magnolia Falls #5)

by Laura Pavlov

His moss-green eyes locked with mine. “I’d like to kiss my wife before I agree to spend my life with her.”

“The past is the past. The happiest marriages are the ones that focus on the present.”

“But you, Shortcake, you were always different. You were a part of me in a way that I can’t even explain. I would do anything for you, but I also trusted that you would do anything for me. It went both ways. I leaned on you, I told you everything, shared my hopes and my fears, which I don’t usually do. So losing you—it hardened me in a lot of ways.”

Maybe it was always you, and that’s why nothing else ever worked when you were gone. Maybe you’ve been what’s missing all along.”

“You’re more than my best friend, Sav. I like coming home to you. I like knowing you’re in my bed, even when I’m not there with you. Knowing that you’re waiting for me. Knowing that everyone thinks you’re mine. Because you are mine, Savannah Woodson. And I know you only married me because you had to, and I’m not the guy you’d choose in a different situation because I can’t give you all the things that you want. But I fucking love you. And even if you divorce me in a few months, I’d still want to date you.”

“Why do we have to? Hell, I’d stay married to you if I knew you wanted that. I don’t want this to end, Sav. Now that I’ve got you back, I don’t want to let you go. Not now, not in another month, not in another year. I. Want. You. Whatever way I can have you.”

You make an effort because sometimes people are worth making an effort for.”

“Life is a journey. And the road is bumpy. But if you’re willing to go through the rough spots, you can come out okay on the other side.”

Hope was a dangerous thing. It allowed you to believe, to imagine that things could be better—all while knowing there were no guarantees.

“There is no perfect time to be pregnant or to have a child. You’ll never feel like you have enough money or enough time to bring a baby into the world. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right time, and I speak from experience.”