Thousands (Dollar, #4)

by Pepper Winters

“Sometimes, we endure single events, and each event must be dealt with as such—either earning forgiveness or consequences. And other times, the things we survive aren’t single events at all but are joined in sequence that give an explanation to things that before had no answer.”

“I won’t tell you what to do and I can’t tell you what will happen if you make either choice, but at some point, you need to trust that not everyone is out to hurt you.”

“You’re the most important person in the world to me. My mother and father might have given me life, but you returned it to me when I no longer wanted it. For that you have my undying loyalty—no matter if we’re together or apart.”

“As long as you want me, Elder Prest, I’m not going anywhere. I’m yours until you decide otherwise.”

I wanted to grab each life morsel and indulge in every activity. I wanted to eat delicious food instead of leftovers in a dog bowl. I wanted to kiss every sunrise after being locked inside for years. And I wanted to be loved and to love after only knowing hate.

For so long, I’d hated humans. Despised men. Cursed life in general to such a point I craved death. But now, I was obsessed with living. Of living to the maximum of my capacity. Of giving my heart wholeheartedly. Of falling in love chaotically. Of soaking up every wonderful moment of togetherness that I could. That was my flaw.

“You’re the best thief.” I kissed her nose, her eyelids, her cheeks, and finally her ear where I whispered, “You’ve done what no one else ever could. “You’ve stolen my heart.”

Literally S.I.M.P.L.E. Sometimes Impossible Mostly Probable Largely Explainable.

“I trust you…” And that was it. The three little words most men kill to hear. More than ‘I love you’ or ‘I adore you.’ I trust you. Because that one untouchable, highly tangible notion was priceless and so often undeserved. Trust was the epitome of what a woman could give.

I had opinions. I wanted to voice them. I had dreams. I wanted to live them. I had desires. I wanted to enjoy them. I had fears. I wanted to slay them.

“All things worth having are terrifying.” He snorted under his breath, glancing at me with blue-black hair dancing over his forehead. “Then you must be the greatest thing on earth, Pimlico, because you fucking petrify me.”

“Under no circumstances do you let the should-dos dictate and steal your life. It’s too short, Min. It’s too easy to screw up. Be true to yourself and follow your heart. Only then can you look back and have no regrets.”

Love was simple. It was life that made it complicated.