Mom boarded the train, and Tristen and I waited, waving until it was out of sight.
“Have I mentioned that I love you?” Tristen asked, turning me toward himself and pushing my stray lock of hair behind my ear, a gesture that he had largely assumed responsibility for.
“You can say it again,” I said, slipping my hands under his coat and around his waist, just like I’d done at the cemetery on that cold January day. I rested my head against his chest, feeling his heart beat.
“I love you,” he whispered, lips brushing my hair.
As always, when he said that, my eyes welled with happy tears. Would I ever get used to those words, either?
Never.
“I love you, too,” I promised, voice cracking.
Alone . . . I would never be alone again. No matter what happened, even when death did eventually separate us, I would never really feel alone again.
After a few more moments just holding each other, I pulled away, and Tristen and I clasped hands and left the station, walking into the night together.
Acknowledgments
Like no doubt every book that features only one or two names on the cover, Jekel Loves Hyde was actually a collaborative project, and so I want to try to give credit to all the amazing, talented, supportive people who helped bring it to bookshelves.
I was fortunate to have two wonderful editors—first Kathy Dawson, who saw potential in the initial draft, and then my new and gifted guide, Margaret Raymo, who tirelessly helped me polish, and polish, and polish . . .
Thanks, in fact, to everyone at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, especially Betsy Groban, Adah Nuchi, Jenny Groves, Laura Sinton, Linda Magram, Karen Walsh, Christine Krones, Lisa DiSarro . . . and the list could go on and on.
A special nod also to Cliff Nielson, who created the beautiful jacket for this book and the one for Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side.
Speaking of which—many, many thanks to all the e-mailers, bloggers, booksellers, and YA librarians who supported my first novel and helped to ensure a second, from Adele Walsh in Australia to Donna Rosenblum in New York, as well as Betsy Rider, Michelle of Michelle’s Minions, and the fun people at YA Reads, who seem to be scattered around the globe. I wish there was room to acknowledge you all!
I also want to again credit my agent, Helen Breitweiser, for always making me feel as if I’m the one and only author she has to handle, and for doing such a great job on my behalf. Finally, I have to acknowledge my friends and family—including my Pilates pals, and Patti and the Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, McDonald’s crew, as well as everybody in our little town who cheers me on.
And the biggest thanks to my husband, Dave, my parents, and my in-laws, who not only support my projects but help to watch my wonderful girls, Paige and Julia—both of whom encourage me with their boundless enthusiasm.
Without all of your help and guidance and good wishes, this book wouldn’t exist.
About the Author
BETH FANTASKEY lives in rural Pennslyvania with her husband and two daughters. She is the author of Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and Jekel Loves Hyde. Visit her website at www.bethfantaskey.com.
