From Twinkle, With Love(84)

When Sahil had been properly thanked (by being fed an obscene amount of food, of course) and said he had to go back home, you stepped outside with him on the front porch.

It was raining, hard, thunder snarling and rumbling and ripping through the sky.

You looked up at his face, so full of love and joy. “You did this,” you said, shaking your head, wondering how you would ever, ever repay him. Spoiler alert: You can’t. “You did this because of what I told you once, in your car. The Did You Hear game.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I did this because I love you,” he said simply. “And because you deserve it.”

As you watched him run to his car, the rain soaking him to the bone, you wondered how you’d ever gotten so lucky. How one girl could ever deserve so much.

I don’t know if you’ll ever answer that question. But I do know you’ll work your entire life to be worthy of all that kismet has given you.

So remember this day. Remember this moment. And go explore the universes. They’re waiting.

From Twinkle,

With Love





Acknowledgments


I cannot believe I’m writing the acknowledgments section for yet another book. The first time it happened—my book in an actual bookstore, available to readers!—felt like a fluke. This feels like … chamatkaar. Or kismet.

This book could never have happened without my dedicated, hardworking agent, Thao Le, who is always, always on my side. A million thank-yous is never enough.

My editor, Jen Ung, is not just a genius word fairy, she’s also secretly a phone therapist. I could not have made it through without all of our very calming (and hilarious and petty) conversations. Thank you!

Thank you to the entire Simon Pulse team for their tireless support of and confidence in me and my work. I couldn’t have asked for a better publishing home.

To the amazing YA reader community, so many of whom I’ve loved getting to know on Twitter, Instagram, and at festivals and events—Vanshika, Kav, Mish, Mana, Kevin, Mary, Ash, Jill, Aditi, Maddie, Christy, Nancy, Stacee, Sasha, Nick and so many others—thank you so incredibly much for your support and love. This book is for you.

Some of my favorite people in the book world are indie booksellers. A big shout-out to the staff at Tattered Cover, Old Firehouse Books, One More Page Books, Hicklebee’s, Parnassus, Ripped Bodice, Strand, Changing Hands, Oblong Books, Odyssey Books, Quail Ridge Books, Red Balloon Bookshop, Lemuria Bookstore, The Book Stall, Village Books, Book People, Once Upon a Time, and all the other amazing indies out there. You’re really bookish fairy godparents in disguise, and I am so grateful to you.

A special thank-you to Aila, who designed the spectacular artwork for the pre-order campaign. I am in awe of your talent, and cannot wait to see where you go from here!

Thank you, as always, to my ever-patient, ever-loving husband, Tim. If our children inherit the writing gene, please accept my humblest apologies (and bribes in the form of gummy bears).

Last, but far from least, this book is especially for you. You, who stumble but refuse to fall. You, who refuse to dim your shine. The world desperately needs your voice, your courage, your heart. Twinkle on.