To my almost husband (!!!), Jack, thank you for answering all my questions while writing this series. We both know I’m more of an NFL girl myself, so the college rules confuse me every time. Thanks for setting me straight, and for always being there at the end of each day with a kiss. I love you.
Momma Von, thank you for being such a football nut while I was growing up that you made me become obsessed, too. And for always supporting my dreams.
To my alpha readers: Lily Turner, Frances O’Brien, Kellee Fabre, Trish QUEEN Mintness, and Monique Boone — thank you for letting me take you on this ride and for understanding when it kept growing and growing. I just couldn’t get enough of Giana and Clay! Your feedback this time around was absolutely crucial, and I can’t thank you enough for your help.
My beta team is always fundamental in my process, but this time around, y’all really came through with some editing notes that completely changed the feeling of this book — in the best way! Carly Wilson, Sarah Green, and Janett Corona, thank you for giving me your time and attention.
Elaine York of Allusion Publishing — there are no words for how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you for always working with me moving my timelines around and for never tiring of fixing my use of “further” versus “farther” because let’s face it — I’ll never get it right.
To Ren Saliba, thank you for the jaw-dropping cover photo that brought Clay to life. I’ll never get tired of staring at that eyebrow and smolder.
To my dear friend Tina Stokes — THANK YOU for loving me and never saying no to a new adventure. And thank you for letting me obsess over Clay and Giana on our Virginia trip. I love you.
A big shout out to my friends at Valentine PR for spreading the word about this series and helping others fall in love with it. And to our blogger community (that includes you, Bookstagrammers and Booktokers). No one would even know I WRITE books if it weren’t for you. You’re the backbone of what we do, and I thank you.
Finally, to YOU, the reader. You are the reason I am able to do what I do! Thank you for reading indie and for shouting to the rooftops about books you love. A special shout out to those of you in Kandiland and who engage with me on social media. You make this even more fun every day and I can’t wait for many more adventures together!