Prototype (30 page)

I
float in nothing. Blissfully numb. My tether binds herself to me for the final time.

I drag a hand through my hair, grounding myself before I drift further into this vision of perfection. Sand lifts on gusts of wind to sting my eyes, but I can’t look away as she approaches. Smiling that crooked smile. Happier now than I’ve ever known her to be. As if our entire world was never turned inside out and upside down.

My hold on her is far from fragile. I’m never letting her go again, which is why I take her hands the second she reaches me. I sink into her eyes, hazel pools with flecks of green and gold, and tune out the entire world until she says, “I do,” and steals my breath. Sends me reeling into the vast universe, where I have nothing to fear but her letting me go.

Wake up, Noah. You must be dreaming.

But this is no dream. She’s so much more. My wife. My partner. The soul I will follow out of this life and into the next, because I’m as bound to her as she is to me.

What I float in is forever, and with her by my side, there’s nothing left to fear.

I would NOT be here if not for the incredible support of my husband, Tad, and our two boys. Thank you for sucking up all the “fend for yourself” nights. . . . I really needed that time off to continue this mad obsession.

Behind a ton of these brilliant ideas is the ever-amazing Charissa Weaks. This one was our big test, but we made it through! Don’t you dare go anywhere. I couldn’t do this without you pushing me to dig deeper. Be greater.

New to my crazy, Mary Cain. I thank you, and Miles thanks you. Or should I say the table thanks you . . . ? *coughs*
Ahem
. No, seriously, without you and Charissa, this story would have come out a complete disaster area.

Crystal, my incredible, supportive sister. Thank you for stepping outside your nonfiction box to read my pages and for going above and beyond to support this crazy career I chose.

Jodi Henry. For always checking in. For always guiding me through particular minefields. For squeeing at just the right times. And for proving that people out there still use the word
rad
. (You see that, CW?
Rad
. I was gonna get it in a book somehow, and look. I did.)

Jennifer Weltz. My incredible, sanity-saving agent. My Sonya expert. I’m so grateful to you for those early-draft phone calls and your patient guidance that led me to find the real story here. I only had one meltdown, and it will forever be #SonyasFault. I love that you see right through the BS and give it to me straight. (Then turn around and speak Yoda.) My favorite person, you are.

God. Denise Roy. I
cannot
tell you enough how much I adore you. Just put me in that long line of Fans for Life. I truly lucked out getting to work with you and your incredible team. Each and every person at Dutton, from editing to marketing to sales to whoever else I’m completely oblivious to, has made me look like a rock star. I am continually in awe of those who catch the most ridiculous and obscure issues within the many, many, MANY pages. Seriously. Thank you.

M.D. Waters lives with her family in Maryland. She is the author of
Archetype
.

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