"I'm leaving you," she said, "for the rugged North." She waved her acceptance letter.

He half-shrugged. Being dumped for a top school was hardly ego-crushing.

"For thick, proud trees," she continued huskily. "For gushing, untamed rivers. Broad deltas. Penetrating winds that plaster your jacket to your heaving chest."

He blinked, feeling oddly emasculated.