I feel so selfish, because I want the best of both worlds. I want to keep the image I’ve worked so hard to create.

I write edgy, sexy teen romances, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.

I want to live life on my own terms. But I’m Mexican, so mi familia is always there to guide me in everything I do, whether I want them to or not. Well, “guide” is too weak a word. “Dictate” is more like it.

He’s my brother, my blood. He annoys the hell out of me most of the time, but when it comes right down to it I want to see him graduate from college and have little annoying mini-Alexes and mini-Brittanys running around in the future.

She ignores me, so I cup my hands over my mouth and do something I haven’t done in years – barnyard sounds.

I don’t want to point out her flaws, but if I see her going on a self-destructive path, isn’t it up to me as her friend to stop her?

I saw you happy. Happier than you’ve been in a long time. With someone you like that much, the lows are as low as the highs are high.

I’ve had more students die than I ever thought possible. My husband urges me to quit Fairfield and teach at some school without gang members who live their lives only to die or end up as drug dealers.

I love you because you’re the only person I want to make love to without any conditions and – and I love that you need me.

Guys are control freaks and hate when other people know what’s best for them.