Minka Kent

• "Now I know with absolute certainty that people are selfish. They lie. Cheat. Steal. Hurt. Manipulate. Keep secrets. Wear proverbial masks. Even kill. Some of us can't help but be self-serving, letting our egos and ids drive the car as we sit powerless in the passenger seat."

• "Lying on the spot has become a bit of a specialty of mine over the years. I wasn't quite thirteen when I realized how many doors would open for you if you simply told people what they wanted to hear. No one's interested in the truth. Most of us just think we are. Sonya taught me that. At the end of the day, we just want to believe whatever makes us feel good inside. Whatever makes us feel safe. Whatever lets us sleep at night. It's a fact I've always used to my advantage."

• "I don't love lying to Sam. She doesn't deserve it. She's the only person on this earth who would take a bullet for me, and that loyalty isn't lost on me. But her moral compass was going to get in the way of this entire plan, and for that reason, I couldn't have her in on it. I'm hopeful someday she'll realize I did this all for her. And for us. So we could have the future we've only ever dreamed of. So we could rest our heads at night without a care in the world."

~ Excerpts from When I Was You, by Minka Kent