The Ex-Debutante would not exist if not for the continuing support of the people in my life who talk, listen, advise, guide, and have even been known to hand-hold at just the right moments. At St. Martin’s Press: Jennifer Weis, Sally Richardson, George Witte, Matthew Shear, John Murphy, Lisa Senz, John Karle, and Stefanie Lindskog. At Writers House: Amy Berkower, Genevieve Gagne-Hawes, Jodi Reamer, Lily Kim, and Maja Nikolic. On the family front: Tim, Carilyn, Grant, and Spencer for days of hot Texas sun and long walks along the river. And, of course—Michael.