When we finally make it over to the happy couple, I wrap Harley in my arms. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t think of a single person more deserving.”

She squeezes back. “Thank you, Sade.” She wiggles her ring finger at me. “And thank you.”

I give her a wink. “You know I got you.”

Nick pulls Jack into a bro hug, slapping him on the back. “Sorry to steal your Thanksgiving thunder, man. Best of luck topping that speech.”

Jack catches my eye over Nick’s shoulder, giving me a slight eyebrow raise. I grin and nod, not needing to hear his question; he already knows my answer.

I already can’t wait for next year.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It might sound hyperbolic, but Lease on Love saved me during some of the roughest months of the pandemic. I would sit down to write every night after a long twelve hours with my then six-year-old, relishing the tiny bit of peace and quiet I was able to find at only the latest hours of the day. Diving into the writing, traveling vicariously to one of my favorite cities, living through these characters, was the escape I so desperately needed during the worst of it all, and for this story to have resonated with others is basically a dream come true. A dream I certainly didn’t accomplish all on my own.

Thank you so so so much to my agent, Kimberly Whalen. When the pandemic first started, I asked you what I should be working on and you told me to write whatever I wanted, whatever spoke to me. Thank you for giving me that space and encouragement, because from it this book was born. Thank you for always having my back and for fighting so hard to find the perfect home for Lease on Love.

To my editor, Gaby Mongelli, I feel so damn lucky to have landed in your extremely capable hands. Thank you for taking this book across the finish line with me. I am so grateful for your insight, and working with you has been an absolute dream. Thank you for loving these characters as much as I do.

Thank you to everyone at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, especially Sally Kim, Aja Pollock, Alison Cnockaert, and the entire marketing team. Sanny Chiu, thank you for the most gorgeous cover I’ve ever seen.

Alexa Martin and Suzanne Park, you picked me out of your Pitch Wars submissions pile and literally changed my life. I could not be more grateful for the guidance and support you both have given me the past couple of years. You signed up to mentor me for a few months, but little did you know you would be stuck with me for life! I won the mentor lottery, and I owe you both a drink (or ten). Thank you to the entire Pitch Wars crew for all the hard work you do, it is much appreciated.