“She thanked me for not telling people about her,” I say quietly. “And she kind of apologized?”

“Wow. I didn’t think that was ever going to happen.”

“Me neither.”

I turn so I can see Brittany sitting at the senior girls’ table. That might have been the nicest she’s ever been to me. I still have that image in my head of her pining after Mr. B in her driveway. This moment is a long way from that.

When I turn back to Ana, I catch her staring at me. “Weirdo,” I say teasingly.

She shrugs. “I like your face.”

“It’s a pretty good face.” I snag a bite of her blueberry pancakes. “Oh, I forgot to ask you this earlier. Do you want to come with me and Lex to play terraball next weekend? We’re going on Saturday after work.”

“I don’t know if I’m good enough to play with you guys,” Ana says, laughing. “You wiped the floor with me last time. It was embarrassing. I don’t know if my ego can take that.”

“Trust me—your ego can take the hit,” I say, shaking my head at her. “And Lex wants you to come.”

“Okay. I’ll be there.” She smiles at me with that adorable dimple of hers.

I lean over to press a kiss against her lips. Then I sit there with Ana, our fingers entwined in her lap. It’s nice, for once, to just exist. There’s nobody to impress, no scholarship to try to win, no looming sense of failure and inadequacy at my back. I’m just a witch in IHOP having a nice time with my girlfriend. And that feels like a win to me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, I have to thank my family. Because of you, my dreams always felt possible. I hope you got a kick out of this book, especially the parts that play to our family sense of humor.

To my wonderful partner—Jarreth, I love you. You make my heart sing and my dreams prosper.

I want to express my immense gratitude for the incredible teachers I had as a teen, especially Dr. Bassett and Kim Calvi. I was so fortunate to have adults in my life who respected me and nurtured my creativity.

To Gemma Cooper, agent extraordinaire. You’re both delightful and frighteningly competent. Having you in my corner is a dream come true. And to the entire team at the Bent Agency—you all do such amazing work!

To Polo Orozco, my intrepid editor. I feel very lucky that my book ended up with you. You are truly a joy to work with. I shout your praises from the rooftops at every opportunity.