“I’m good. Life’s great. I have a boyfriend and I couldn’t be happier. You might remember him, Joe Resnick? My family is great. That about covers it. Are we through here?”
“Lizzie,” he said, and I shot daggers at him with my eyes. “I mean Liz. Sorry. Don’t you even want to know why I’m here?” My gaze went swiftly to his. I ignored the deep, dark intensity that used to make me weak at the knees and gave him a simple answer.
“No.”
The way his body flinched away from me, you would have thought I’d spit in his face. “You’re not the same person anymore, are you?” A sadness crept into his eyes. He ran his fingers through his hair, revealing the scar above his left eyebrow. The scar he told me he’d gotten chasing his cousin around a bench at the mall. He’d tripped and smacked his head on the corner of the seat on the way down.
He might have had the same scar, but he was right, I wasn’t the same person anymore and neither was he. I needed to get out of there. I needed to just get away from him.
“No, I’m not. Now if you’ll excuse me, my boyfriend is waiting.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Mom, I really couldn’t do any of this without you. Your constant support and faith has been my driving force. There aren’t enough words to thank you, but there is always enough wine, and I’ll bring the glasses.
Dad, the way you talk about your daughter the writer to everyone who will listen puts a smile on my face and fills my heart to the brim. I told you those math grades wouldn’t affect my future.
Eric, you are my everything. I couldn’t imagine life without you.
My editor, Julie, for loving Josh and Kat and their story as much as I do. For your honesty and for taking another chance on me. You have made my dreams come true.
My agent, Brittany Booker, for your unwavering optimism, determination and dedication.
Cassie Mae, our late night chats have been a life saver. You have talked me off so many cliffs and have made this crazy journey so much fun. From our road trip to Minnesota to our day in NYC and to all our phone/IM conversations, I have never laughed so hard.
Suzi Retzlaff, I love sending you a manuscript because I know I’m going to get it back covered in red. You help bring my stories to life and for that I will be forever indebted to you.
Rachel Schieffelbein, Jenny Morris, Kelley Gershke, Jessica Salyer, Leigh Covington, Lizzy Charles, Jennie Bennett, Hope Roberson: thank you for being the best critique partners/friends a girl could ask for. Your input and constant support means the world to me.
Crystal Frost, I value your opinion and appreciate that you took the time to read a first draft of (Once) Again.
Josh Cook, for your legal knowledge and for laughing at me when I tried to rewrite protocol to suit me.
The Booker Albert team for all your support. I’m lucky to be part of such a great group of people.
Grandma, because I will always thank you even if I don’t have a reason.
Last and most certainly not least, you. Thank you for reading. I can’t thank you enough for giving Josh and Kat a chance.
Theresa Paolo lives in the same town she grew up in on Long Island, NY with her boyfriend and Milton, their big eyed goldfish. She has a hard time accepting the fact she’s nearing thirty which is why she writes new adult and young adult books, reliving the best and worst years of her life through her characters. She put her love of writing on hold while she received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Dowling College. When she’s not writing, she’s behind a camera or can be found in the blogosphere or on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.
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