He kisses me again, until he finally pulls back to say what I already knew was coming, but I need to hear it anyway.

“Happy isn’t a strong enough word.”

Acknowledgments

With each new book, I am even more grateful for the entire team of people I have on my side. This book simply would not exist without the help of so many.

First and foremost, thank you to my husband for all the usual things—taking the kids, offering me quiet, cooking dinner so I can meet my deadlines—and for so much more. Thank you for seeing me even in my darkest moments and loving me anyway. Thank you for making me believe in sunshine, even when I’d rather be the grump. You’re my favorite and my only, and I’m so glad we’re on this journey together.

Thank you to the best of friends, Hannah. Your beautiful brain has produced so many gorgeous stories, and your fearless use of gorgeous prose inspired me to try my hand at some metaphors, as well. If I wrote something even half as beautiful as your books, I’d be happy. And thanks for listening to all my voice memos where I basically asked your opinion, figured it out myself, then sent it anyway. It’s an important part of the process.

A huge thank you to my early readers: Jillian, Cait, Lexi, and Kayla. Your love of Scarlett and Ryan helped shape them and give me the courage to continue. Your comments gave me life…and made me laugh. Thanks, also, to Stefanie and Jess for your moral support. The beta group chat is my favorite place to be.

I can’t forget to thank my street team. From help with promotion to moral support (and enabling even my wildest ideas), I couldn’t do any of this without you. Thank you, April, Ashley, Ashley, Beth, Cammie, Catarina, Courtney, Hana, Hope, Kae, Karen, Kathy, Laura, Leah, Lindsey, Liv, Madeleine, Maria, Maya, MC, Mindy, Sandra, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sav, Tiffany, and Trish + Ash. I am so grateful you’re here to cheer me on.

A massive thank you to my agent, Katie Monson at SBR Media. Thank you for helping my books find new readers all over the world, and for making me feel like my dreams are possible.

This book flows as well as it does because of the incredible Mandi Andrejka of Inky Pen Editorial Services. I’m so glad you reached out to me and we connected over several themes in this book. Having an amazing editor in my corner who is not only knowledgeable but also so fun to work with is the dream. And your GIFs??? Perfection.