Black Bird of the Gallows(93)

“Good.” I force myself to sit still, even though I want to jump off this bed and dance. I want to sing at the top of my lungs. I want to kiss him breathless. “It’s life. It’s supposed to be scary.”

He sobers, eyes turning serious and watchful. “So I have to ask, because I have choices now, and so do you.” He swallows with effort and shifts his gaze to the blue twinkle lights draped above my headboard. “Do you want me to stick around or not? I found an apartment in Summit, the next town over. I can live on my own, since I’m eighteen, but if you’d rather I leave the area, I will.” His hands are restless, tracing designs on my comforter. “I’m afraid I’m never going to be completely normal. The things I’ve seen and I… Well, you never really recover from it. I’d understand if you want to go separate ways. You’re not obligated to—”

“Oh, shut up, Reece.” I reach out a hand and he steps toward me. “Of course I want you to stay.”

His face brightens. “Are you sure? I know you have plans to go to college, and if you don’t want me to go with you, just say so. I wouldn’t blame you.”

I’m grateful my left hand doesn’t hurt. I use it to grab the front of his shirt and pull him toward me. He stops rambling and peers down at me, a smile spreading slowly over his lips.

My mouth finds his and his eyes close and we kiss. A first kiss. A kiss of beginnings and possibilities and impossible dreams.





acknowledgments




If you’re reading this, that means my book has become a real thing. It’s a big deal to see the messy story idea from your head turn into a solid object you can hold in your hand. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make this happen.

One sentence isn’t enough to express my thanks to my editor, Jennifer Mishler, whose insights made this a better book and me a better writer. And to Liz Pelletier and the amazing team at Entangled TEEN, who go above and beyond for their authors.

Thank you to my literary agent, Beth Miller, at Writers House, for her guidance, expertise, and patience.

Thanks to Pintip Dunn for more than I can begin to articulate. Seriously. So much.

Thanks to Stephanie Winkelhake for her support and feedback and to Wanda Thomas, for always pushing me to write it better, to dig deeper.

I’d like to thank the DoomsDaisies and the 2016 Mermaids for being the supportive communities you are.

Thank you to my mentor, Brenna Yovanoff, for answering all my baby author questions.

Thanks to Michelle Libby and Judi Phillips for taking in a stray Jersey girl all those years ago and teaching her the ropes. And to the talented women of Maine Romance Writers for the encouragement and support they so generously give.

Thank you to my YA girls, Mariah, Jess, and Heather, for the late night, fast food, deep talks.

Thank you L.J. Anderson, at Mayhem Cover Creations, for this stunning cover.

Thank you to the folks at the Falmouth Memorial Library, for the “quiet area” in the back, where I wrote and revised a good portion of this book.

A big thank you to my wonderful family: Karen, Jack, and Evan, for thinking I’m better than I am and never letting me forget it.

Finally, thank you to my husband, Pete, who never, ever doubted me. And Poppy, who reminds me every day of the importance of having fun.