More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Go vomit in your Gucci handbag, you’ll feel better. And maybe you’ll expel some of that bitch inside of you.” “Says the guy who’s more sloth than human. Go hug a tree and eat an ant.”
To be so closely tied to Lily and the Calloways makes me truly realize what I’ve gained by being with Rose. I have a family. A real family. It’s not something you can win. I didn’t manipulate a soul to get here. I have it because they like me for me. Each day, I’m more thankful for them. And I’m more aware of how much I can lose.
I’ve seen her cry at the foot of her bed until Rose consoled her. There were three months when Lo was in rehab, when she was struggling to recover from her addiction, and she had no one but me and her sister. And we were trying the best we could to get her to stay sane, to get better.
“Vous êtes en sécurité avec moi.” You’re safe with me.
“I’ve wanted so many things in life,” he says softly, “but you’re the one that has meant the most to me.” Translation: I love you.
oh connor if rose doesn't love you then i certainly do
“I’m glad I have you,” she tells me before her lids sink closed, and she drifts asleep in my arms. But I’m the one who should be glad. I had no one before Rose. No true friends. No family, not really. Now I have her. I have people I care about it. People that I want to protect. Now I have everything.
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” One of my favorite quotes. I turn a fraction, just enough so that our lips don’t suddenly collide. “Shakespeare,” I breathe.
“Darling, I don’t need to seduce you,” he says, “I already have you.”
I admire Ryke for many reasons. But I think this is the greatest one: Loren Hale is the bastard child that destroyed Ryke’s family. Their father got another woman pregnant, conceiving Lo. And Ryke subsequently lived with his single mother after the divorce. Yet, Ryke stands here today, wanting only to protect a guy who was the catalyst for his broken life.
She made sure to have her mental breakdowns in private. Even in her madness, there’s still a level of control.
I want to protect her. From everything, even herself.
“I’m sorry,” she apologizes for making a scene, for being a handful, for having a moment of pure panic. “I’m—” “Human,” I finish for her. I tuck her hair behind her ear. “You’re human, Rose. We all are.”
Well, Connor doesn’t believe in magic. If Hogwarts actually existed I’m sure they’d send an owl to shit on his head.
Promises from Connor Cobalt are like oaths spilled in blood. Translation: I will die for you. I smile widely. I will die for you. That will never get old.
I’m twenty-four-years-old. I always thought I was done growing up. But being with Rose has made me grow into the version of myself that I love the most. My fears are no longer so selfish and so pretentiously vain.
“And just so you know,” Lily says, “I can say five whole words in French already. So at this rate, I will be fluent in no time.” Daisy walks over after jumping up and down. “Didn’t you fail Spanish and Latin in prep school?” she asks with a smile.
I watch Sadie slink down the stairs while everyone laughs. I smile as I glance over my shoulder, at these people, at my friends. I wouldn’t want to miss this for Wharton. I wouldn’t want to miss this for anything. Right here is where I’m happiest.
“I’m all in,” I tell her. “I want the kids. I want the wedding ring on your finger. I want all of it with you, Rose.
“I’m going to try to find a way to be happy with what I have. I don’t want to keep thinking it’s never enough. And I’m not ready to give it all up either.”
“What if they hate me? What if I don’t show them the love they deserve? What if I turn out like my mother and suffocate each one?” She pauses. “I don’t want to ruin a human being, Richard.”
But I know her, and I know she’d be a great mother if she allowed herself the chance to be one. And to believe this—all anyone needs is a glimpse into how she treats her sisters. With compassion, dedication and soul-bearing love. She gives all of herself to the people she cares for.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was be on your team, Rose.”
I feel so incredibly violated, but Connor has somehow muted this pain that tries to pummel me. The way he holds me, with reassurance, with commitment and confidence, makes me believe that I can overcome anything. I think all my life he’s helped me find power inside of myself so that I may barrel forward and never look back.
But I realize that I’ll never be free from Scott Van Wright. He stamped himself all over me. And distributed it to the world.
“I was fooled by my own mother for two fucking years, Rose. Two years, and she couldn’t find it in her heart to tell her only son that she has breast cancer? That she’s dying?”
Even in the wake of my pain, she has this resilience that’s more beautiful than words can describe. It’s fire to my water. And I want her to burn me alive.
“I am so deeply in love with you, Rose.” I wipe her cheeks with my thumb.
Oh connor...
And then she says, “Ca vous a pris pas mal de temps.” It took you long enough. I said the same thing to her once. “How long do we have left?” She finally smiles through the tears. “Forever.”
Ugh i love them!!
“Rose,” Connor breathes. And then he drops to one knee. He takes the black box from his pocket and flips it open. “Will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
“Kiss the sky with me,” Connor whispers, a beautiful smile pulling his lips, “and don’t ever come down.”
She shakes her head with a smile, and tears crest her eyes as she says, “I love you more than anyone.”
