The whole family healing thing is a roller coaster. We’re all trying, but it’s really hard. It takes so much patience and effort not to shut down when Dad’s an ass. Especially when it’s just me and him. I think Siri would agree—we have some wonderful days with our parents, and we have the occasional terrible ones. But Siri and I are in this shit together, and it makes all the difference.

SIRI

DR. DONYA WENDELL

CHECK IN: Do you feel like you’ve made progress? What has changed? What hasn’t?

EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED. I LOVE YOU, DONYA, you’re a spectacular therapist. Thanks for making us do this exercise so I can see where Jamie’s head is at on the subject.

I go to dinner with my dad and Jamie once a month.

Mom, Jamie, and I have a monthly FaceTime together.

Mom’s seeing a therapist, and I can really feel the difference in the way she approaches our relationship.

Dad’s dating his therapist? His girlfriend is a therapist so he’s using that as his excuse not to actually have to go to therapy. Papa and I have scheduled a weekly phone call time for when I move to California.

I’m kind of blowing up on food ClikClok.

I’m going to culinary school.

I’m dating the girl of my dreams.

Jamie is my best friend.

Acknowledgments

I actually can’t believe I’m already writing the acknowledgments for my second novel. This feels so strange. I didn’t know what to expect going into book two. I subconsciously assumed it would be similar to writing my first book, but it’s been such a completely separate, different experience in almost every way. Writing Again, but Better was this invigorating, thrilling, bubbly journey, and writing Better Together was this challenging struggle that had its fun wonderful moments, but was filled with so much AnGsT. All of the dumpster fire 2020 angst! But it made finishing all the more rewarding! I am so grateful for all the brilliant, understanding people I’ve had behind me throughout this process.

I have to thank my family, without whom I wouldn’t be a person capable of writing this book. I wouldn’t find so much catharsis and joy from family dramas, sister stories, and heartwarming sibling moments, and that would be a damn shame. Madre and Padre, thank you for giving me two younger siblings! Thank you for nurturing my bossy, ambitious, first-child spirit!

Thank you to my amazing, supportive, kick-ass super-agent, JL, for everything you’ve done for me and this book. Thank you for your enthusiasm. Thank you for believing in me so hard!

A ginormous thank-you to the entire team at New Leaf! Thank you, Suzie Townsend, for your integral feedback during the outline stage of this book.