---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I stood as she straightened and snaked my…"
description: "\"“I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of every delicate curve. For three weeks, I spen..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg"
---

#  I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her…

![“I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of every delicate curve. For three weeks, I spent my time convincing myself that our breakup was the right choice. But being this close to her, hearing her laugh, listening to her voice, I knew I…” quote by Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg)

> ““I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of every delicate curve. For three weeks, I spent my time convincing myself that our breakup was the right choice. But being this close to her, hearing her laugh, listening to her voice, I knew I had been telling myself lies. Her eyes widened when I lowered my head to hers. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can find a way to make us work.” She tilted her head and licked her lips, whispering through shallow breaths, “You’re not playing fair.” “No, I’m not.” Echo thought too much. I threaded my fingers into her hair and kissed her, leaving her no opportunity to think about what we were doing. I wanted her to feel what I felt. To revel in the pull, the attraction. Dammit, I wanted her to undeniably love me. Her pack hit the floor with a resounding thud and her magical fingers explored my back, neck and head. Echo’s tongue danced manically with mine, hungry and excited. Her muscles stiffened when her mind caught up. I held her tighter to me, refusing to let her leave so easily again. Echo pulled her lips away, but was unable to step back from my body. “We can’t, Noah.” “Why not?” I shook her without meaning to, but if it snapped something into place, I’d shake her again. “Because everything has changed. Because nothing has changed. You have a family to save. I …” She looked away, shaking her head. “I can’t live here anymore. When I leave town, I can sleep. Do you understand what I’m saying?” I did. I understood all too well, as much as I hated it. This was why we ignored each other. When she walked away the first time, my damn heart ruptured and I swore I’d never let it happen again. Like an idiot, here I was setting off explosives. Both of my hands wove into her hair again and clutched at the soft curls. No matter how I tightened my grip, the strands kept falling from my fingers, a shower of water from the sky. I rested my forehead against hers. “I want you to be happy.” “You, too,” she whispered. I let go of her and left the main office. When I first connected with Echo, I’d promised her I would help her find her answers. I was a man of my word and Echo would soon know that.””

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A desperate attempt to control love leads to manipulation, conflict, and emotional turmoil.

**In simple terms:** Trying to force love causes pain and chaos.

Key Takeaway

Respect autonomy and communicate honestly in relationships.

Themes

love control manipulation conflict emotion

Mood

sad intense

Type

dramatic reflective

When to use this quote

- relationship counseling
- personal reflection
- conflict resolution
- healthy communication

Key Concepts

psychology relationship dynamics ethical boundaries

Questions to Reflect On

- What boundaries are essential in love?
- How can you express desire without coercion?

A Different Perspective

Manipulation can cause lasting damage and loss of trust.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Breakup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breakup/) [Right choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-choice/)

## Related quotes

> [“I threaded my fingers into her hair and kissed her, leaving her no opportunity to think about what we were doing. I wanted her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-threaded-my-fingers-into-her-hair-and-kissed-her-leaving-her-no/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of every delicate curve. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-my-arms-around-her-pulling-her-2/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“She pressed her hands against my chest and tried to push me away. "I can't think straight when you 're this close." I backed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/she-pressed-her-hands-against-my-chest-and-tried-to-push-me-away-i/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I stood up and kissed the top of Beth’s head. “You ready, bro?” “I’ve been waiting for you to catch up, man.” Isaiah opened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-up-and-kissed-the-top-of-beth-s-head-you-ready-bro-i-ve-been/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [I remember a time when I would hear a band and then want to hear everything that sounded like it; I wanted it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-palomo/i-remember-a-time-when-i-would-hear-a-band-and-then-want-to-hear/)

[Alan Palomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-palomo/)

> [After 12 intense years of rock music, I was happy to get away from making a record and going out on a tour. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/after-12-intense-years-of-rock-music-i-was-happy-to-get-away-from/)

[James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/)

> [More than anything, all I have ever wanted is to be close to someone. More than anything, all I have ever wanted is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/more-than-anything-all-i-have-ever-wanted-is-to-be-close-to-someone/)

[James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/)

> [I didn't want to sign with A$AP Worldwide at the time because I was going through some personal things and I had to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spaceghostpurrp/i-didn-t-want-to-sign-with-a-ap-worldwide-at-the-time-because-i-was/)

[SpaceGhostPurrp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spaceghostpurrp/)

> [Childbirth and being pregnant is something that I've always wanted. I feel like you feel the most feminine; you look the most feminine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gigi-gorgeous/childbirth-and-being-pregnant-is-something-that-i-ve-always-wanted-i/)

[Gigi Gorgeous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gigi-gorgeous/)

> [I wanted to hear what she was saying. I wanted to smell that burnt midnight again, I wanted to feel that wind. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/i-wanted-to-hear-what-she-was-saying-i-wanted-to-smell-that-burnt/)

[Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/)

> [“Driven by my own childhood, I had to be sure you wanted for nothing. You were to feel so loved, safe, and secure that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-g-torrens/driven-by-my-own-childhood-i-had-to-be-sure-you-wanted-for-nothing/)

D.G. Torrens

> [“I see now that I was in pain and wanted others to feel it, too. This was my way of communicating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-see-now-that-i-was-in-pain-and-wanted-others-to-feel-it-too-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“God, she wanted this. Wanted him. He made her feel wanted, needed. He lit fires inside her she hadn’t known could burn so fierce,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jolyn-palliata/god-she-wanted-this-wanted-him-he-made-her-feel-wanted-needed-he-lit/)

[Jolyn Palliata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jolyn-palliata/)

> [“You were just worried about me." An exhale, relieved that I'd understood. "Yeah." I turned. "Because you think I'm worth it." He put his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/you-were-just-worried-about-me-an-exhale-relieved-that-i-d-understood/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“Awe. It’s a feeling he misses. He made lists of things he wanted to feel when he was younger, big things, small things, ice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pleasefindthis/awe-it-s-a-feeling-he-misses-he-made-lists-of-things-he-wanted-to/)

pleasefindthis

## More by Katie McGarry

> [“This overwhelming, encompassing feeling is love. It's not perfect and it's messy as hell. And it's exactly what I need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/this-overwhelming-encompassing-feeling-is-love-it-s-not-perfect-and/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“It's our rain, Beth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/it-s-our-rain-beth/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?"No one ever asked that question.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/his-dark-brown-eyes-shifted-to-my-covered-arms-you-didn-t-do-that-did/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I gazed into her beautiful green eyes and her fear melted. A shy smile tugged at her lips and at my heart. Fuck me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-gazed-into-her-beautiful-green-eyes-and-her-fear-melted-a-shy-smile/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“When i said nothing, the best thing that happened to me in three years left. Damn, i was an idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/when-i-said-nothing-the-best-thing-that-happened-to-me-in-three-years/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I'm cold and clammy and hot at the same time, yet I'm free. I lift my head and the autumn breeze feels good against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-m-cold-and-clammy-and-hot-at-the-same-time-yet-i-m-free-i-lift-my/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“We’re stronger together, Drix. I promise we are. Please don’t give up on us. Please don’t give up on yourself.” “I don’t know,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/we-re-stronger-together-drix-i-promise-we-are-please-don-t-give-up-on/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“If I fall in, I’m going to drown. The weights upon me are too heavy to stay afloat. My only option is to sink.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/if-i-fall-in-i-m-going-to-drown-the-weights-upon-me-are-too-heavy-to/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [ “Is this all we are? Continual actions and reactions? No control over our future? \[...\] If that's true, then life is one pathetic and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/is-this-all-we-are-continual-actions-and-reactions-no-control-over/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“Last night, the two of us said too much, felt too much, and I had somehow convinced myself that the moment we shared would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/last-night-the-two-of-us-said-too-much-felt-too-much-and-i-had/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“She pressed her hands against my chest and tried to push me away. "I can't think straight when you 're this close." I backed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/she-pressed-her-hands-against-my-chest-and-tried-to-push-me-away-i/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“Eli bought the flat-screen television and sectional couch for Olivia, his mother, after his stint in prison. There’s a throw rug on the wooden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/eli-bought-the-flat-screen-television-and-sectional-couch-for-olivia/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I love you enough to never make you choose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-love-you-enough-to-never-make-you-choose/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“You deserve better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/you-deserve-better/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [“I think of the hundreds of lights dancing across the night sky. "I knew you were watching. I know it sounds stupid, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-think-of-the-hundreds-of-lights-dancing-across-the-night-sky-i-knew/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

[Explore all 521 Katie McGarry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

## More Breakup quotes

> [After a bad relationship and you think life is over when its far from, pick your self up and show the person who let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/after-a-bad-relationship-and-you-think-life-is-over-when-its-far-from/)

[Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/)

> [ \[attempts to save the relationship on the phone but said the wrong word while talking\] It didn't come out right, but I wasn't in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paritoshik-sharma/attempts-to-save-the-relationship-on-the-phone-but-said-the-wrong/)

[Paritoshik Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paritoshik-sharma/)

> [If you leave someone for another person, don't be surprised if that person leaves you for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-leave-someone-for-another-person-don-t-be-surprised-if-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's fucking terrifying that no matter how many promises they made, no matter how long you've been together, someone can get up &amp; walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larissa-derrah/it-s-fucking-terrifying-that-no-matter-how-many-promises-they-made-no/)

Larissa Derrah

> [If it's too hard, walk away. There are a million other people out there who won't make you feel bad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-it-s-too-hard-walk-away-there-are-a-million-other-people-out-there/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Learning to trust is hard for many people, especially those who have been through bad break ups and who have experienced heartache from situations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/learning-to-trust-is-hard-for-many-people-especially-those-who-have/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It changes you a little bit every time you either break someone's heart or get your heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seyfried/it-changes-you-a-little-bit-every-time-you-either-break-someone-s/)

[Amanda Seyfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seyfried/)

> [“Dry your eyes mate, I know you want to make her see how much this pain hurts, but you’ve got to walk away now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-skinner/dry-your-eyes-mate-i-know-you-want-to-make-her-see-how-much-this-pain/)

[Mike Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-skinner/)

> [You see, at the beginning we weren't fighters. We weren't yellers or throwers, even if we eventually came to be. It would take time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinaw-mengestu/you-see-at-the-beginning-we-weren-t-fighters-we-weren-t-yellers-or/)

[Dinaw Mengestu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinaw-mengestu/)

> [The pain experienced during a breakup is as individual as the millions of people who go through it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tigress-luv/the-pain-experienced-during-a-breakup-is-as-individual-as-the/)

Tigress Luv

> [Wishing you knew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wishing-you-knew/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Feeling addicted to an ex makes letting them go excruciatingly hard even when you rationally want to move on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-cortney-warren/feeling-addicted-to-an-ex-makes-letting-them-go-excruciatingly-hard/)

Dr. Cortney Warren

> [I take a step back, and let you go. I told you I'm not bulletproof; Now you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-take-a-step-back-and-let-you-go-i-told-you-i-m-not-bulletproof-now/)

[Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/)

> [Break ups are painful, but if initiated at the right time can fuel one's sense of optimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/break-ups-are-painful-but-if-initiated-at-the-right-time-can-fuel-one/)

[Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/)

> [If they walk out of your life they're telling you to move on because they're not in love with you. It hurts, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/if-they-walk-out-of-your-life-they-re-telling-you-to-move-on-because/)

[SONYA PARKER](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/)

[Browse all 1,846 Breakup quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breakup/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of every delicate curve. For three weeks, I spent my time convincing myself that our breakup was the right choice. But being this close to her, hearing her laugh, listening to her voice, I knew I had been telling myself lies. Her eyes widened when I lowered my head to hers. “It doesn’t have to be this way. We can find a way to make us work.” She tilted her head and licked her lips, whispering through shallow breaths, “You’re not playing fair.” “No, I’m not.” Echo thought too much. I threaded my fingers into her hair and kissed her, leaving her no opportunity to think about what we were doing. I wanted her to feel what I felt. To revel in the pull, the attraction. Dammit, I wanted her to undeniably love me. Her pack hit the floor with a resounding thud and her magical fingers explored my back, neck and head. Echo’s tongue danced manically with mine, hungry and excited. Her muscles stiffened when her mind caught up. I held her tighter to me, refusing to let her leave so easily again. Echo pulled her lips away, but was unable to step back from my body. “We can’t, Noah.” “Why not?” I shook her without meaning to, but if it snapped something into place, I’d shake her again. “Because everything has changed. Because nothing has changed. You have a family to save. I …” She looked away, shaking her head. “I can’t live here anymore. When I leave town, I can sleep. Do you understand what I’m saying?” I did. I understood all too well, as much as I hated it. This was why we ignored each other. When she walked away the first time, my damn heart ruptured and I swore I’d never let it happen again. Like an idiot, here I was setting off explosives. Both of my hands wove into her hair again and clutched at the soft curls. No matter how I tightened my grip, the strands kept falling from my fingers, a shower of water from the sky. I rested my forehead against hers. “I want you to be happy.” “You, too,” she whispered. I let go of her and left the main office. When I first connected with Echo, I’d promised her I would help her find her answers. I was a man of my word and Echo would soon know that.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Katie McGarry"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-my-arms-around-her-pulling-her/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Breakup"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-my-arms-around-her-pulling-her/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfa/katie-mcgarry-456_first-time_i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-m_381399.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I stood as she straightened and snaked my arms around her, pulling her close to me, savoring the feel of…” — Katie McGarry",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Katie McGarry",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“I stood as she straightened and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-my-arms-around-her-pulling-her/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/i-stood-as-she-straightened-and-snaked-my-arms-around-her-pulling-her/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
