Chapters (47)
- Cover
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- 2 Months Later
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Books by Kasie West
- Back Ad
- About the Publisher
I splashed him and he grabbed my wrists and pulled me into a hug.
“We’re working, not playing,” he said, his lips on my ear.
“Since when?”
He picked me up, spun me around, and threw me. Then he took off at a sprint toward the end mark.
I just laughed. Not even with a head start would he beat me. I dived under the water and swam as hard as I could. The water was cold, but it felt like endless possibilities as it flowed between my fingers. I felt free.
Acknowledgments
To the little book that could. I love this book. I’ve loved it for years, since I first wrote it over six years ago. I thought it was going to be my fifth book in the world and here it is my thirteenth. There are so many reasons for this, reasons I didn’t even realize at the time, reasons that now, looking back, make me so happy it took its time. So here’s to patience, the little virtue that is always so self-righteously trying to teach me lessons. Sometimes it actually succeeds.
I love my readers! I love all readers, but maybe I’m slightly more partial to the ones that read my books. And by slightly, I mean I would hug all of you if I could. But seriously, thanks for all the support, whether this is the first book of mine you’ve read or the thirteenth.
My agent, Michelle Wolfson, is one of the best choices I’ve ever made. As a new, hopeful author, my gut told me this woman was the real deal—smart, witty, great instincts, driven—and I wasn’t wrong. It’s been almost nine years and I am grateful every day to have her.
To my editor, Catherine Wallace, thanks for everything. You’ve always been great at giving amazing advice while helping me stay true to who I am and I’m so grateful for that. And thanks to Jon Howard, Chris Kwon, Ebony LaDelle, Jacquelynn Burke, Meghan Pettit, and the entire HarperTeen team!
A huge thanks to my husband, Jared West. He is and always has been my biggest cheerleader. He’s my first reader and always tells me he loves the book. Then, when subsequent readers suggest improvements (as they should) he says things like: What?! Why?! Or, Do you need me to fight them? His faith in me is unparalleled and I love him for it. And together we’ve raised some pretty cool humans. Skyler, Autumn, Abby, and Donavan, I’m so proud of you and thanks for being there for me and for each other.
I have some awesome friends. They’ve kept me sane this year. I love them all. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by caring, talented, amazing women. To name a few: Candice Kennington, Jenn Johansson, Renee Collins, Bree Despain, Brittney Swift, Mandy Hillman, Emily Freeman, Megan Grant, Jamie Lawrence, and Elizabeth Minnick.