I took a step inside.
I thought again of swimming in the ocean that summer morning. We dove under the first wave, and Colleen had been right. It stung. But just for a moment. And then my head was above water again and I sucked in air and I looked around for Colleen. She was swimming toward me, laughing. The swell from a wave moved around us, and she reached out a hand for me.
And I thought forgiveness felt exactly like that. Like salt water and a moving current and a hand, reaching out for me.
Reid’s fingers brushed mine.
I closed my fingers around his hand and held onto him. For this moment. And the next.
Acknowledgements
I am especially grateful for the following people who helped turn this idea into a story—and this story into a book: My agent, Sarah Davies, who sees the big and small of everything—from an idea to a book to a career—and whose guidance I rely on for all of the above.
My brilliant editor, Emily Easton, and the entire team at Walker/Bloomsbury, including Mary Kate Castellani, Laura Whitaker, Katy Hershberger, Kate Lied, Kim Burns, Rachel Stark, Beth Eller, Linette Kim, Nicole Gastonguay, Donna Mark, Emma Bradshaw, and the folks at Bloomsbury UK and Bloomsbury Australia. It’s such a pleasure working with you all.
The greatest critique partners a girl could ask for, who are also, coincidentally, great friends: Jill Hathaway, who listens to every idea and reads every sentence, and whose opinion I trust without question; Marilee Haynes, who is willing to read everything I write—always; and Elle Cosimano, whose brilliant insight saved my revision. This book would not be what it is today without their support. And Shelli Johannes-Wells, who reminded me, early on, what kind of book I was writing.
My mother, who talks characters like she knows them and plot points like she’s lived them. And my father, who is always willing to babysit so that I am able to write.
Mark Gartner, who answered every hypothetical question (and surprisingly didn’t end up blocking my e-mail address), and who also watched over me for the five years I was at his school—and never quite stopped.
Finally, thank you to my family and friends. I am reminded each day of how lucky I am to have you all in my life.