Later, it might mean holding hands at our wedding on the lower level of Val’s, with Alex officiating and Mark walking me down an aisle lined with our favorite books and people. It might mean endless nights spent alternating between Nolan signing his latest book for legions of fans and photo galleries with my name printed beneath every whimsical frame.

It could mean soft sobs from me and resolute tears from Nolan as we say good-bye to Wally, who dies at the ripe old age of sixteen and—Nolan says—years of deserved brain trauma. It might mean the same resolute tears and soft sobs, but reversed, when Val dies of cancer a few years later, her last words spent telling us to not be idiots and that she’s quite overdue for a visit with George.

It could mean a strange existence where we take over running the bookstore and rent a room to a piano player named Michael, who is very odd but can absolutely be trusted to keep up Val’s piano studio. It might mean framed photographs of Val, of Jenna, of Avery and Emily, on the bookstore’s fireplace mantel.

It could mean a meaningful glance between Nolan and me, one stormy afternoon, when a young woman blows in the front door on the back of a gusty wind and marches up to Nolan and asks if we have any job openings because she’s tried everywhere and doesn’t know what else to do.

Everyone has a story about when they first read the Orman Chronicles, and this is mine.

I don’t want to read ahead.

acknowledgments

First, all the thanks to Thao Le, the greatest agent in all the land and my fiercest champion. I’m still pinching myself that we get to work together. Your enthusiasm, immense publishing knowledge, and extensive guidance for this newbie is such a gift. Thank you for everything.

Thank you to Vicki Lame who believed in my characters (and defended Wally) from the beginning and who also didn’t make fun of my Game of Thrones theories as the last season unfolded. Unlike that season, this story has benefitted from your keen editing and expertise, and I am forever grateful.

Endless gratitude to the Wednesday Books team: Jennie Conway, Jessica Katz, Anna Gorovoy, and Jeremy Haiting. Special thanks to Kerri Resnick for designing the whale-tastic cover of my dreams and to Beatriz Naranjalidad for her illustrations. I’m still in awe. Many thanks also to Lexi Neuville and Brant Janeway for their marketing expertise and Sarah Bonamino for her publicity wrangling. I’m so happy to have y’all on my team and I’m forever thrilled to be part of the Wednesday family alongside so many wonderful authors.