Robyn Carr

It turns out the mark of a happy life isn't staying just one step ahead of the grim reaper. It's knowing you're strong.

My best advice is this - by the time you meet your Maker, and may it be a long, long time from now, I hope you can close your eyes on a life where you did your damn best and tried your damn hardest. It's not winning that's really winning. It's never giving up.

You've been treading water," she said. "You're marking the years, not living them.

It__ so hard,_ Andy said. __hen you don__ have anyone.___eah, I know,_ Gerri agreed. __et it__ harder when you have the wrong one.

I should stay to be sure she doesn't have a concussion. And that she doesn't need sex for it. Or just to be there in case she did . . .

I like the way you kiss-a couple of test kisses, then a huge kiss.

I am not sleeping with you.""We could probably manage it, though. Without getting too involved.""No," she said."But why? I mean, if we're trusted friends? And it doesn't interfere with our responsibilities?""Did that line ever actually work for you?""I can't remember. But it probably did-it's brilliant.

Tom. Tom, look at me. Has Nora agreed to marry you?""No, but she will because she has to.

Tom, how many children do you think I have to have before I figure out you get them by having sex?""Of course there would be protection," he offered."Tons of it.

Maybe we could, um, go sit in the truck?" he said, but even as he said it, it sounded so dumb. And not exactly the way he wanted her to remember a marriage proposal.

Don't leave yet," he said, his voice hoarse. "Let me do something. Let me feed you. Hold you. Rub your shoulders. Change your oil. Anything, please.

But you were concerned about making sure things, you know, didn't get serious.""Yeah, because I'm an idiot.

What are you doing here?__ll right, he was standing in front of an easel, holding a paint palette and brush. __axidermy?_ he responded with just a touch of his own sarcasm.

Your big scary husband is crying.

Marry me. You'll learn to love me, I promise.

We__l make out for a while and you__l feel better.

He tends to go for girls who are-Shelby, honey? Put your hands over your ears for just a sec._ Back into the phone he said, __e likes the real slutty ones. Ow!_ he yelled when he received a whop to the back of the head.

How do you know?___ell, I don__, I__ making this up, but I bet I__ right.