Defining the Rules (The Dating Playbook #3)

by Mariah Dietz

“Dust yourself off, and try your best. That’s all anyone can do.”

“But you’re guacamole, babe. And I don’t want him to treat you like you’re run-of-the-mill salsa.”

Sometimes, it feels like the world is dumping on you, and you can’t get anything to go your way. We’ve all been there. But you have to see this as a challenge—a test from the cosmos or something to see if you can focus on the good that is beyond all the bad.”

I don’t want to work toward being the best or greatest. I just want to be happy.”

we have to slay our own dragons sometimes, but if you want my help, I’m a pretty big fucking shield.” He cups my face and gently swipes his thumb over my cheeks, drying my tears. “I don’t know if I want the truth.” “We all want the truth. We’re just not always ready for it.”

Liv: Rose and I decided pussy is now the term for being tough, and ball sack is the term for weak. It’s pretty accurate with some context. A guy barely hits his nuts and falls over. Meanwhile, women have babies every minute of every day, and I don’t think I have to tell you where they’re coming out of.

Rose and I decided pussy is now the term for being tough, and ball sack is the term for weak. It’s pretty accurate with some context. A guy barely hits his nuts and falls over. Meanwhile, women have babies every minute of every day, and I don’t think I have to tell you where they’re coming out of.

“It seems ridiculous that someone would be willing to cut off their nose to spite their face. If you have a great thing, why do people constantly look for something better?”

“You were right. I don’t need you to slay my dragons, but I’m really glad you were there to face it with me.”

“We have a billion people competing to be the next influencer-star when we really need a billion people competing to be the best humanitarian. But money and fame have us losing sight of that.”

Elephants are a matriarchal species, which I’m pretty sure proves they’re a hell of a lot smarter than us humans. They’ve realized women are the brains, and men are the real eye candy.”

I take her hands and spin her around like a ballet doll—like my dad still does with my mom in the kitchen while she’s cooking dinner. It takes Liv only a second to follow my lead. I grip her hands and lead her in moves I memorized from watching my parents. Liv trips and laughs even harder. I plant my good knee and dip her, and she lies back, trusting me to hold her.

“There’s not an ounce of ugly in you.”

“Hulk, Thor, Arlo—superhero, baby.”

“This must have taken you forever.” He shrugs casually. “You’re worth forever, Liv.”