Thank you to Katherine for offering on this book after a day like a maniac and giving me an asthma attack. For your excitement, dedication, and your vision for this project. For believing in Simone and her story. For believing in me. For making my dreams come true. Thank you to the rest of the publishing team, specifically Melanie Nolan, Kerry Johnson, Janet Renard, Jazzmine Walker, Sylvia Al-Mateen, Artie Bennett, Jake Eldred, Mary McCue, Andrea Comerford, and Emily DuVal. It’s been such a pleasure working with you all.

Thank you to Theodore Samuels, Rhesa Smith, Jen Heuer, and Alison Impey for the cover of my dreams, and to Stephanie Moss for the beautiful interior design. I always fantasized about having a book published, but never could imagine what it would actually look like, and now I feel like the luckiest writer in the world every time I look at this book. Thank you all for your work on this gorgeous package.

Thank you to the entire UK team, including Naomi Colthurst, Amanda Punter, Simon Armstrong, Ruth Knowles, Ben Horslen, Amy Wilkerson, Francesca Dow, and Michael Bedo. You’ve all had so much enthusiasm throughout this entire process. Thank you for your notes and your positivity and the pamphlet you made me before the deal (which is saved on my desktop). It’s been so great working with you. A very special thanks to Emma Jones, who is the absolute best.

Thank you to Dad for all the hours in the bookstore. For never refusing to buy me a book, even when I was only supposed to get two. For all the hours I hung out on the computer next to you in your office and typed on my diary. For your old computer. For all the memories.

Jayden: I doubt you’ll read this, but thank you for being my sister.

Thank you to Aunt Jessica for never thinking anything I wanted to do was weird. Thank you for never telling me to slow down. Thank you for being the coolest, in general.

Thank you to Mark for being more excited than me about this book sometimes. For tweeting my Goodreads link and reading my work and sending me memes. For your friendship, even when I’m a pain. For sharing yourself and your words with me. For being you. I love you, and those black shoes.