The Start of Me and You (35 page)

My hand clasped in his, I could not have known what would happen in the time that followed—how much we could love and hurt each other. How much we could change each other. But even if I could have seen a glimpse of my future, Max was right. Knowing what happens is different from knowing how it happens. And the getting there is the best part.

Acknowledgments

First and forever, thanks to my brilliant critique partner Bethany Robison, who coaxed this story off the shelf years ago and had no idea what she was getting into. Thanks for being my team, friend, and for letting me be yours. Special shout-out for that twenty-four-hour turnaround critique—a Hail Mary on my part and a heck of a catch on yours.

To my agent and friend Taylor Martindale, who has understood and championed this book since the first time we spoke: Thank you for carrying my stories forward with steady hands, clear vision, and relentless positivity. I’m so grateful you became a part of this story and a part of mine.

Mary Kate Castellani, this book needed you. Thank you for every fresh read and thoughtful round of insights,
for having both a keen editorial mind and a knack for
Clueless
references, and for guiding me all the way through.

To Erica Barmash, Amanda Bartlett, Mary Kate Castellani (again), Beth Eller, Cristina Gilbert, Courtney Griffin, Bridget Hartzler, Melissa Kavonic, Linette Kim, Cindy Loh, Donna Mark, Lizzy Mason, Emily Ritter, Leah Schiano, Ilana Worrell, Brett Wright, and all the incredible humans who make up Team Bloomsbury: I’m so grateful for how smart, hardworking and passionate you are, but it’s an extra pleasure to adore you all (and your cat-loving, sports-fan-ing, blazer-rocking, foodie ways) as much as I do. Thank you for everything.

So much love to every writer and industry friend who has shared bourbon and donuts, long e-mails, commiseration, encouragement, adventures, wisdom, celebrations, and late-night talks. You know who you are.
Thank you
for being who you are.

I’d particularly like to thank the booksellers, bloggers, librarians, readers, and teachers I’ve had the joy of interacting with this year. Your generosity and passion have been bright lights in my world.

Gratitude forever to my family and friends. There’s this old piece of writing advice: write what you know. I write loving, complicated families and friends because
you
are what I know. Thank you for the long (champagne) brunches and late (champagne) dinners, for always answering the
phone (even/especially when I’m at peak craziness), and for always picking me back up (metaphorically and also from the airport).

Finally, but always-ly, to J: Whether it’s navigating grief or the open road, getting there is better with you by my side. Thank you for all the things I won’t write here—the things we know by heart.

Also by Emery Lord

Open Road Summer

Copyright © 2015 by Emery Lord

All rights reserved.
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce, or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means, (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

First published in the United States of America in March 2015
by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Electronic edition published in March 2015
www.bloomsbury.com

Bloomsbury is a registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to
Permissions, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 1385 Broadway, New York, New York 10018

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lord, Emery.
The start of me and you / by Emery Lord.
pages      cm
Summary: Paige Hancock starts junior year with a list of ways to take back her life, rather than spending another year as the Girl Whose Boyfriend Drowned. Finding out that Ryan Chase, her long-term crush, is available again might be the key.
[1. Self-actualization (Psychology)—Fiction. 2. Best friends—Fiction. 3. Friendship—Fiction. 4. High schools—Fiction. 5. Schools—Fiction. 6. Family life—Indiana—Fiction. 7. Indiana—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.L87736St 2015              [Fic]—dc23              2014014376

eISBN: 978-1-61963-360-5

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