taay

“Hawthornes aren’t supposed to break, his voice whispered in my memory. Especially me.”
― Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Final Gambit

“So,” Libby said sagely, “chess.” “Chess,” I repeated. “The move—it’s called the Queen’s Gambit. Whoever’s playing white puts that second pawn in a position to be sacrificed, which is why it’s considered a gambit.” “Why would you sacrifice a piece?” Libby asked. I thought about billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, about Toby, about Jameson, Grayson, Xander, and Nash. “To take control of the board,” I said.”
― Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Final Gambit

“What is the human condition, if not Why me?”
― Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Final Gambit

“Even in the darkest of times, Xander was Xander. "You're going to drop one of those on your foot," I said. "That's okay," Xander responded cheerfully. "I have two feet!”
― Jennifer Lynn Barnes, The Final Gambit