Talon (Ashes & Embers, #4)

by Carian Cole

cock star

Asia Jenson."

"Together, we're supposed to be better."

cart before the horse

brat of the family,"

Sometimes what we think we want is not at all what we actually need."

"I think, once you two stop thinking about what you were expecting, that you'll see what you were given is even better."

puppyfuck charity case with zero bang factor."

Un-put-together. Puppyfuck. Charity case.

Bug-eyes. Ghettogirl. Trailer trash.

Rock star husband footsies. My heart swoons.

Cinderella syndrome.

Holy everything that is hot and hard.

I sure as hell ain't ever using Algebra, but I could definitely use Wife 101.

order-a-wife

"And I don't want someone better than you. I'll admit, you can be a real jerk sometimes and I want to slam you in the balls. But when you're good?" Her voice lilts with emotion. "I can't imagine anything better, and that's the truth."

My girl. The last thing I thought I would ever want, and now, all I could ever want.

"Then don't be a star, Talon. Be the moon. Shine above all of them."

So that's why I got the tattoo, as a reminder that my life matters—even if it's only to me—and my story isn't over yet. That's what I have to keep telling myself."

"You're my heart's hero,"

When you love someone, what happens to them, happens to you. You either fight it together, or you let it tear you apart. Right?"

sickness and in health, through good and bad. This isn't about commitment to an experiment with the hope that it works; this is about commitment for a lifetime.

If she knew what she was getting into, would she ever have married me? Especially with the shit that's going on now? If I had known, I wouldn't have married her. Not because I don't want her in every way, but because I hate that I've hurt her and I think she deserves better.

"I love you too, jelly bean. With every one of my fuckin' heartbeats."

"Well, isn't that great! And I'm supposed to just walk out of here with a broken heart? And a bunch of money I don't want? And that's it? We had a life together. This wasn't a game to me. This wasn't supposed to happen!"

This is just a pause. I'll be okay. Not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But I will be. Someday. It won't always be this bad. This pain isn't my forever. This is just a pause. There's more waiting for me, somewhere, down the road of my life.

How long does it take for a broken heart to unbreak? Does it ever go back together again? Or is it just forever damaged, eternally weakened, shivering in the dark among our bones?

gardener belt again, and one of those lace teddy bear things. And the magic lip balm.