““Oh . . . goodness. She hadn’t known. She couldn’t have known, sheltered as she’d lived, and he couldn’t have guessed. But he’d just articulated everything she’d been wanting for so long. To be noticed. Not merely known as a girl in some precious stories, but noticed, as a woman. “Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” he asked. “Yes,” she breathed. “And you’re mad if you think I’ll back down from this now.””
