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for my mom and dad My literary agent, Esther Newberg, was one of the first to take a chance on me as a writer. I’m so thankful to her for her encouragement and for navigating me skillfully away from anything resembling Monkey Doodles.

I’m honored to have been able to work with the team at Penguin Random House once again. Thank you for your support: Gina Centrello, Kara Welsh, Jennifer Hershey, Kim Hovey, Cindy Murray, Susan Corcoran, Kristin Fassler, Shona McCarthy, and Paolo Pepe. I was thrilled to get to work with Sara Weiss for the first time. A special thanks to early readers Elana Seplow-Jolley, Anne Speyer, and Julia Maguire. Your input was invaluable and came at a time when I needed a boost the most.

Amy Sherman-Palladino gave me the role of a lifetime. I’ll keep thanking her for that until the end of my days. I’m also thankful to the accidental writing school I got to attend thanks to years spent speaking her words, and those of Dan Palladino. I’m thankful to all the talented writers I’ve been lucky enough to work for as an actor in television and film, especially Jason Katims and the Gilmore Girls and Parenthood writing staffs.

Thanks to Helen Pai for going above and beyond.

Thanks to Elise LaPlante for her assistance during long days of filming, and for knowing how to set up the Friday night margarita bar.

I’m always grateful to my stellar team: Eddy Yablans, John Carrabino, Adam Kaller, and Cheryl Maisel.

Some friends whose early feedback always make it better: thank you, Kathy Ebel, Allison Castillo, Ellie Hannibal, and Mae Whitman.

My editor, Jennifer E. Smith, deserves all the thanks and praise I can possibly bestow. Our first book together was on a “rush” schedule, and this one was on something called a “crash” schedule. Not sure what’s left, unless there’s a “San Andreas starring The Rock” schedule. Through it all, she is generous with her intelligence, enthusiasm, and good taste, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I am only saddened to have to inform her that, as a result of her excellence, she will never get rid of me.

Last but first is family. Especially in this process, I rely on my sister Shade Grant as a mentor, friend, and fashion advisor in equal parts (though the jumpsuits are not her fault). Thanks to the Grahams and Grants and Krauses and McHales and Morelands, especially the one who isn’t here yet but whom I plan to soon spoil rotten. Thanks to Peter for taking such good care of me when writing moves in and eats up our regular lives.

Thanks to my mom and dad, where all the stories began.