Amanda

“We've got a shape. Pointy. Big ouch."
"Big ouch?" Jonny repeated from where he sat.
"Shut the piehole, J. You're not the one inches away from blood-borne pathogens, okay?" Claire snapped, not moving her eyes from the wound.
"Where did you learn that phrase?" her soon-to-be-pummeled boyfriend asked.
Claire huffed noisily. "Teacher safety training. Now hush!”
― Rebecca Connolly, Mayhem on the Marzipan Express

“And stay the croquembouche away from my boyfriend!” Claire bellowed over her shoulder as she moved to her trolley, maneuvering it out of the dining car and toward the next group of passengers.
Jonny watched her go, his heart on fire and ready to burst out of his chest. His girlfriend had never been so stunning, so impressive, so perfect, and it was killing him not to nudge someone nearby and say, “I’m with her.”
Or pick her up and kiss the ever-loving breath out of her.
Or throw her an actual parade.
As it was, the more primal, hidden part of him snarled in possessive delight and growled Mine at the top of its lungs.”
― Rebecca Connolly, Mayhem on the Marzipan Express

“Do you apologize ever?” Claire asked with a pointed look that Alan completely missed.
He seemed to consider that. “If it’s deserving.”
“Crepes alive,” Claire mumbled, sniffing dismissively. “Like making full puff pastry with completely frozen butter.”
Jonny smirked at her back. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“It just has to thaw, Claire!” Alan protested as though she’d insulted him. “Come on, that’s not a great analogy.”
“You need to thaw, is what you’re really saying,” Claire retorted over her shoulder. “And I agree, so no fridge time for you.”
― Rebecca Connolly, Mayhem on the Marzipan Express

“Maggie looked like the sunshine main character of every story. Her curls were naturally beautiful and alluring, while mine were frayed and resembled a lion’s mane on a bad day—at least they did at that moment. Her eyes were pools of liquid brown like honey, mine were… seaweed green.
Her dresses were pastels and creams, mine were the darker shades. She wore pointed flaps with straps, I lived in my leather boots and embroidered socks. Even in that moment, Maggie wore an orange dress tied in a loose bow across her chest. I wore my mauve one with a brown corset embroidered with flowers. Cute, yes, but two different people. If someone came in searching for a lost princess, I’d believe them if they told Maggie it was her.”
― Taylor Epperson, Second Time's a Charm