That Fine Line (Pride and Pranks, #1)

by Cindy Steel

A conversation with him was like taking a bite of ice cream, only to realize you wanted a big scoop.

my dad sighed with the relief of an introvert forced into entertaining guests for four hours,

The darkness didn’t really scare me, but if I thought about it too long, I’d freak myself out.

How could I be one thing to somebody, and something so completely different to another?

there’s a fine line between love and hate.”

There was something so satisfying about this simple, but beautiful way of life. School and deadlines and Parker had pulled my dreams in all directions, but here, out in the middle of nowhere, my head was clear, and my direction was certain. I realized something else as well, something that stopped me in my tracks and gave me much reflection throughout the rest of the night. I discovered that the sweetest memories in my life were not in the classroom or a big city, they were not in a fancy car or an expensive theater, but sitting tired and dirty, out on the range, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the people I loved.

Could four years of college erase a lifetime of memories? Erase a lifetime of a person’s core identity? Did I really want it to?

we were determined to hold on to one more childhood ritual before being swept away by the conventions of adulthood.

There were so many things I wanted to say with this kiss. So many things that were difficult for me to say any other way. I kissed him for saving my life. I kissed him for making me laugh, for putting me in my place, and for teasing me. I kissed him for making me feel special. And for this date. This glorious and magical and most confusing date that I wished could go on forever. But mostly, I kissed him for me, because I was starting to wonder if Stitch really was right about that fine line between love and hate.

In the end, it seemed our relationship was more of a matter of pride to him than any strong feelings we had toward each other.

that’s the thing about love stories—sometimes it takes a wrong turn to go in the right direction.

With the right man, my worries turned to calmness, my doubts to faith, my fears to bravery, and my insecurities to confidence.