I’ve seen Teddy only once since my resignation. It was outside Walker’s, and he didn’t stop to speak with me, but he did offer a silent wave. After that night at the station, I left him a voice message to apologize. But I know it’s not enough. One day, I hope to earn back his friendship and find the courage to explain why I quit. Until then, I’m helping my father with his new book. We work in the living room until the light slips beneath the Japanese maple and my mother comes home and turns on the lamps.

Colin is awaiting trial. His parents hired their own private investigator and attorneys. Katie visits him every day.

Acknowledgments

Even in the best of times, there would be so many people to thank for transforming my debut manuscript from a hope and a dream into the book you’re now holding. But the brilliant and generous souls at ICM, Flatiron Books, and Pan Macmillan Australia have been with me for what has been the best and worst year of my life—one in which I experienced the joy of selling my novel, moved back to Georgia to be closer to family, married my best friend and partner of over a decade, and then lost him suddenly and unexpectedly four months later. The level of support, compassion, and understanding offered by the publishing community was more than I could ask for, and I am so grateful for not only your unfailing professionalism and unerring guidance, but also your kindness, your thoughtful messages, and your patience.

I owe immense gratitude to my agent, Hillary Jacobson, for her early advocacy and excitement for this novel and for reading draft after draft of these pages. Thank you for your enthusiasm, your unflagging hard work, your wisdom, critical insights, and all those brainstorming sessions. You’ve been with me through everything, and your support means more than words can convey. This would not be the same book without you. And many thanks to Josie Freedman at ICM and Sophie Baker at Curtis Brown UK, I’m so grateful for all that you do.

To my editor Zack Wagman at Flatiron, who loved Marlitt from the start and took a risk on a professor turned novelist. Working with you has been a privilege. Thank you for your indispensable guidance on how to make this book better. And to everyone at Flatiron Books, to Bob Miller and Megan Lynch, and with special thanks to Molly Bloom, Maxine Charles, Erin Kibby, Christina MacDonald, Claire McLaughlin, and Sue Walsh: Thank you for working so tirelessly to bring this book into the world. And to Julianna Lee: Thank you for capturing the novel’s dark tones with this striking cover.