"I'll keep doing it as long as you want," she said, not even bothering to react to the easy truth. She knew how many men crumbled before a well-placed head-scratch. She'd even fluff his hair some. Aren't you just the luckiest, Cooper?

She offered a tender smile. "No one's life should be defined by lack of love." Even she knew what love was, felt it deeply for those she cared for. Once, she'd felt it even for Fagin. Though it was long gone now, despite the connection she would never be able to sever.

"Just remember you've got me for the rest of my life. And that's a promise."