Part of me will probably always be amazed that this is my actual job. I get to spend time with these characters every morning, hot cup of coffee in my hand, dog at my feet. I’m proud of myself for making this dream of mine a reality and I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge all the people who this truly, truly couldn’t have happened without. To Tara Gelsomino, my patient agent, who always knows how to make a good manuscript even better. You are the person who somehow gets my work from my desktop out into the world. I can’t even begin to explain how many hats you have to wear to be able to do that. Thank you. Jess Verdi, you were the first person to believe these characters had what it took to stand up off the page. I can never, ever thank you enough for the chance you took on me. To Allison Carroll, my truly brilliant editor, do you kind of feel like we knew one another in a different life? I could not have written this book without your encouragement, your eye for detail, your vision and your perpetually amazing innate understanding of what I’m trying to say. To Bonnie Lo for combing through this manuscript and making it sparkle. To Michele Bidelspach for bringing this manuscript on home. To the entire HQN team, including all the people who will continue to shepherd this project well after I’ve written the acknowledgments page. To my proofreader, whoever you will be, you’re the bomb. Those who design the cover, you’re my heroes! To Ed Menchavez for consulting with me on what it means to be a public defender in this complicated world. Thank you! To my Ambro Fam and my Sands Fam, who knew pretty much nothing about the romance world but have all found ways to support me in this journey, thank you. I can’t imagine how an author could do this without all these people in her corner. And most of all, to Jon. Who can’t stop telling people how proud he is of my accomplishments. Who thinks I’m a badass. Who takes long walks with me and discusses tropes, plot devices, character arc. Who gently tells me when it’s time to take a break. Thank you, thank you, thank you.