Don't Go Faking My Heart (Sweet as Sugar Maple, #4)

by Kate Watson

Grief is a beautiful thing, son. It's a sign that you had someone in your life who mattered that much to you." "Why can't that person matter without the pain?" "If you take away the pain of grief, you take away the love from life. You can't have loss without love."

"You can tell me that anytime you want," he says, and his voice drops so low, I don't hear it with my ears, but rather feel it in my chest. I'm not sure another living soul could pick up what he’s saying. He's using a frequency that vibrates only for me.

You're toxic, bro. Blocking you is like blocking nerve gas. Good for one's health. Recommended by doctors everywhere."

loving Ash has been both a wound and a balm. Loving her as intensely as I have has caused me acute pain day in and day out. Yet, knowing her, having her in my life has healed parts of me that I knew were broken but couldn't fix on my own.

"Since the moment I met you, you brought color into my world. I saw hues that I never realized existed and⁠—" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I saw your sketchbook back at the house. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too. Now shut up and give momma some waffles, Farm B⁠—."

Ash licks the Ring Pop and holds it up to me. "Want a taste?" "Not even a little." "Oh, whatever. You'll kiss it off my lips later and make some insanely swoony comment about how much better it tastes on me." "No, I won't. In fact, I’d prefer you brush your teeth before you kiss me again." She lifts her eyebrows. Her glasses are askew, and the look is absolutely breathtaking. "You wanna bet?" she asks in a throaty voice, leaning toward me. "Maybe just some gum."