He squeezed her hand. "Do you want to go get something to eat?"

"Yes." She smiled at him. "Pie."

Outside the aquarium, the sun was bright and Truman squinted. As they started down the steps, Daphne stopped abruptly and leaned against him, throwing her arms around his waist and pressing her face into his shirt. Her weight against his chest was sudden and fierce, catching him off guard. In the street, cars rushed past like water and she let him go.

He touched her cheek. "Why did you do that?"

"Because this is us-right now-you and me. Because I can."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

My undying gratitude belongs to: My agent Sarah Davies, who is a rockstar in the most elegant sense.

The editorial team at Razorbill-you guys are incredible (not to mention patient). Particular thanks go to Lexa Hillyer, who got me started; Jocelyn Davies, who saw me through to the end; and Ben Schrank, who made sure we did, in fact, have a middle.

Alex, Alex, and Allison at Rights People, who help my books find homes across the world.

The miracle workers at Penguin. Especially Gillian Levinson, whose magical abilities include-but are not limited to-encouraging notes, surprise packages, and answering all-my-questions-ever; Anna Jarzab, who tames the Internet and is extraordinary on all fronts; and Casey McIntyre, who provides me with wonderful places to be and then makes sure that I get there (even when it seemed like there would never be a taxi, you didn't give up).

My critique partners, Maggie and Tess. The Space Between would not exist without them. Seriously, you guys. No, seriously. It's been three incomparable years, and we are just getting started.

My family, for being vast and far-flung and interesting, but mostly for being amazing. They bear no resemblance to the people in this book, I promise.

My classmates and professors at Colorado State University, who taught me how to start and also how to finish things, but mostly how to revise. I owe a particular debt to Professor Milofsky and my fellow novel writers, Mia, Stacy, Dave, Tom, and Zach. They were kind enough to see merit in even my most frivolous ideas and have a very high tolerance for the bizarre.

Syl. After all these years, she still reads everything and is still up for anything.

And finally, my husband, David, who ordered Chinese food night after night, never said a word about the disreputable state of my hair, and reminded me that hard work makes anything possible. This book, most of all.

end.