My Favorite Hero Quotes

“I have to. I can’t let you leave and not try to make you understand. I love you.” I shook my head, and he stepped in front of me, taking me by the shoulders. “I do. I love you.” I felt the tears building. “Look at me.” I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. He looked as exhausted as I felt. Tormented. Sad. “I know you’re scared, Pix. I am too. I worry I’m not enough for you. That you’ll feel the same way about me my family did. I know you think love has to hurt and that you’ll always come last, but not with me. You will always be first.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“I picked up the pen, my hand refusing to sign the papers. Why couldn’t I sign? I wiped at my cheeks, not surprised to feel them wet. Why couldn’t I stop crying?”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“Things that annoyed me before no longer did. I started finding the joy in life again. All because of her. I blinked as the truth hit me. I wasn’t falling in love with her. I did love her. I sighed as I pressed a kiss to her brow. “I love you,” I whispered, trying out the words—ones I never thought I would say again. She didn’t stir, sleeping soundly. But the words felt right. Real. They rolled off my tongue easily.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“And suddenly, I knew why I’d been so upset the past few days. Because I didn’t want to keep it hidden. I wanted to be able to walk up to her and kiss her. Take her hand and tell her how beautiful she was. It didn’t matter if it was for a month or a year—it was what I wanted. I wanted exclusive and no more hiding. And that started right now.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“I see. I have a confession to make.” “What?” she asked. “Saturday night, they forgot the sauce. I went back to get it. I saw you by your car, and I saw him kiss you. I didn’t like it.” “That was you driving like a crazy man?” “Yes.” She sighed. “I didn’t like it either. I should have known then it wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t even ask.” “Asshole,” I reminded her. “Yes.” I lifted her hand to kiss her palm when I saw it. A ring of darkened skin around her wrist. I pulled her hand closer, inspecting it. “Who did this?” I looked up. “Did he do this?” “Oh, um, he grabbed me when I tried to leave.” I was on my feet in a second. “He laid hands on you? He bruised you?” “It’s fine, Jesse. I bruise easily.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“had finally admitted the truth. I wanted her. She was beautiful. Funny. Sweet. Disruptive and a pain in my ass. And she made me smile. Few things did. She made me feel lighter.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“No. I went home and got ready. Made an effort.” His gaze flickered over me. “More than I could say for you.” “I beg your pardon?” “Don’t you own a dress? We’re supposed to be on a date. Not going for yoga.” I looked down. I wore a pretty pair of leggings with fancy trim. A blouse that had flowers on it. Flowers. My good shoes. I had dried my hair and curled it. I’d used eyeliner—it failed, but I tried. I put on colored lip gloss. I had thought I looked nice. Better than nice. “I don’t like dresses,” I said between tight lips. “Or your attitude.” I was shocked at his behavior. Where was the somewhat funny, seemingly decent guy from two days ago? I should have listened to my gut.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“Chris stood. “I’ll walk you to your car.” I was going to protest, then decided not to fight him on it. It was a nice gesture. Outside, I inhaled the cool night air, helping to clear my head. “You were good back there,” he said enthusiastically. “Great song,” I replied. “Fun.” At my SUV, I smiled at him. “Thanks.” “Listen, can I take you out?” “Out?” I repeated. “On a date.” “A date?” I said, wondering when I had become a parrot. “Monday?” he asked. “Um,” I hedged. “I don’t date much.” “Dinner,” he said. “Monday.” I didn’t know why I gave in. “Okay.” He looked triumphant. “Can I have your number?” I gave it to him, and he tapped it into his phone and sent me a message. “There. Now you’ll have mine. I’ll call you tomorrow and see you on Monday.” “Okay,” I agreed, wondering why I had said yes. He was nice enough, but I wasn’t really interested. Was I? Then before I could move, he stepped forward and kissed me. A fast, quick press of his mouth to mine and he stepped back. “See you then.” I was shocked. He’d kissed me without permission. As if it were his right. I started to speak when I heard a set of tires squealing out of a parking spot across the street, the dark truck speeding away. “Someone’s in a hurry,” I said lightly and got in my vehicle, locking the door. I started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, Chris having walked away already. I didn’t like that he had kissed me. It made me feel odd. I would have to tell him that on Monday.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“I gasped in shock. “What are you doing here?” He grinned. “Picking up wings for the crew. I arrived just in time for the show.” I laughed. “One-time performance.” “You were really into it.” I shrugged. “Gotta give the people what they want.” He stepped closer, his voice low. “Is that what you want, Pixie? A hero?” I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. “I-I was just singing.” “Sounded pretty personal to me.” “Um—” He stepped forward again, and I moved back. I hit the wall, and still, he pressed closer. He stared down at me, his gaze heated, one arm braced on the wall beside my head. My breath caught at the intensity on his face. The way he kept dropping his gaze to my lips. The air suddenly felt too thin. “Jesse,” I breathed. “What⁠—” “Hey, Jesse. The wings are ready. We need to go,” a voice behind Jesse spoke. The spell was broken. Jesse straightened and stepped back. “Right.” His voice was cool and polite. “Have a great night, Casey. Keep tearing up the stage.” And he was gone.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“When I told her what machine I had, she was horrified. “I need to upgrade you, Thorne. You’re still in the nineties.” “That was probably when I bought it.” She lifted an eyebrow, her voice teasing. “Along with your T-shirts?” I chuckled. “Probably.” Most of my shirts, I’d had a long time. Probably not that long, but I did like making her laugh. And she did, the peals of merriment making me laugh with her, enjoying her teasing. Strangely enough, I didn’t mind her calling me Thorne. It felt affectionate. As if we were friends. I was intensely private. A loner, many called me. I preferred a peaceful night at home by myself to a group of people in a bar. Working in the fire department, I was surrounded the entire shift by others. Most would call me quiet. I played cards on occasion, maybe shot some pool, but often, I would read, work out, or find something to stay busy with. Still, when my shift was over, I craved the solitude of my place. When Lou was alive, I would help her out, occasionally share a meal or a cup of coffee with her, but she didn’t push for more.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero

“Tall, at least six foot three, he towered over me. He had sandy-colored hair, cut short, with a slight curl to it. His hazel eyes were set under straight, heavy eyebrows, and he was fairly clean-shaven. His face seemed to be set in a permanent scowl, but somehow he carried it off. He was thick and muscled. His voice was low and raspy. He growled a lot under his breath. Grunted some responses more than speaking them. But the rare times he smiled, it was a gift from heaven. He was the sexiest man I had ever met. And I had the feeling he disliked me. Which was a shame, because I quite liked him. He was blustery and grumpy. Dismissive at times. Yet I saw something in his eyes. Something softer. And although he acted as if he didn’t care—he did. He was concerned I was hurt and wanted to help. I saw the way he was with Miller. Gentle and warm. Lou had spoken so highly of him and how he cared for her. His outer crust was used to keep people at a distance. He’d been hurt and that was his way of preventing people from getting too familiar. I had the strangest need to help him move past his pain—but I wondered if he would ever allow me to get that close.”
― Melanie Moreland, My Favorite Hero