“I think we can work something out,” I teased. “But I need to warn you, I will definitely sleep on your shoulder on the plane. And I drool.”

“Don’t worry,” he said, giving me that boyish grin of his that made my whole body swell. “I already know that about you, and I don’t care. I still like you.”

He reached up and turned my hat backward. “You look cute in this,” he said, tapping the bill before leaning in to kiss me, his lips soft and urgent. “I also wanted to do this the first time we met.”

The subway doors opened at the next stop, and we both looked up. We weren’t heading toward Brooklyn at all. In our stupor, we must have gone to the wrong platform. We were on a train heading uptown.

“Franny,” he said, pointing to the station sign as the doors closed, “this isn’t the right train. We’re going the wrong way.”

I laughed and looked at him, grabbing his hand and bringing it to my lips with a kiss.

“Well, let’s just ride it, then,” I said. “And see where it takes us.”

Acknowledgments

I want to first acknowledge all the people who flip right to the Acknowledgments before reading a book. I see you. I am you. Welcome, and thanks for being here.

None of this would be possible without Holly Root, who is truly one of the most fantastic humans on earth, and an amazing agent to boot. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner. Many thanks to the entire Root Literary team for all that you do, and a special shout-out to Alyssa Moore, for being so on top of everything.

My editor, Amy Pierpont, is a brilliant word wizard who gave this book its wings. I am so grateful for your thoughtful direction and support throughout this process, and am better for it. And so is this book!

Estelle Hallick, thank you for being on board since Day 1, and for all you’ve done to share this book with the world.

I am so fortunate and grateful to get to work with the talented Forever team, including Sam Brody, Daniela Medina, Carolyn Kurek, and copy editor Elizabeth Johnson.

Kate Sweeney, Annie Sklaver-Orenstein, Bridget Maloney-Sinclair, Joy Engel, Gwen Mesco, Eirene Donahue, Emily Barth Isler, and Tanya Doyle-Gradet all read various drafts of this book. Thank you for your notes, feedback, catches (I’m looking at you, Gwen!), and cheerleading. It means the world to me.

Heather Lazare’s editorial prowess helped shape this book significantly.

Kristin Dwyer has been a guiding light throughout this process. Laine Hammer shared invaluable insight that allowed me to craft Franny’s life experiences in a more authentic way.