Nell Frizzell

wanted a man who smelled of woodsmoke, who owned a decent sweater, and who could order a train ticket in advance.

Why was I drawn to people whose age, geographical location, lifestyle, and beliefs made it impossible for me to ever become their girlfriend?

And when you feel unworthy of love—either as a result of rejection, trauma, a tricky childhood, whatever—it is amazing how forensically you can sniff out people who will not love you back.