Kristine Swartz, my badass editor, thank you for just being you. You make this entire process so wonderful and give me the courage to tell my stories, even if they might ruffle a few feathers. I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to continue working with you. You are everything. Jessica Mangicaro, thank you for all of the amazing work you do and for making social media not seem scary and for basically holding my hand through all of it. And to the rest of the Berkley team, thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all so brilliant and talented, I still can’t believe you took a chance on me.
My agent, Jessica Watterson. You are my biggest advocate and I will always be so thankful to be a part of Team Watterson. I could not ask for a better agent or a better friend.
Thank you to everyone at FAIR—Fairness for Athletes in Retirement—for the work you have done fighting for retired players and telling their stories. You have amplified their voices and finally let them be heard.
Lin and Lindsay. I could not have finished this book without your encouragement and hand-holding. Thank you for reading every chapter I sent you and telling me it wasn’t a total dumpster fire. I love you both.
Andie J. Christopher. I wouldn’t have had the courage to write this story without you. Thank you for being not only an amazing friend and someone I can always confide in, but also an inspiration.
Maxym. I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone and clicked with them so instantly. You are a superwoman and I’m so proud to call you a friend.
Abby, Taylor, and Natalie. I hope you know how much I love you. I talk a lot about strong female friendships in these books and that wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t have you all in my life, showing me just how important it is.
I’m writing these acknowledgments on day seven of social distancing for COVID-19. Hopefully by the time this book is out in the world, things will be back to normal and I will be home voluntarily. But right now, I think it’s imperative that I thank all of you. This time is so wild and freaking scary, and the only thing that has brought me any comfort is seeing the way we’ve all come together on social media to comfort one another. Whether you’ve posted a funny meme or sent an encouraging message or voiced your fear so that someone else can feel like they aren’t alone, thank you. The romance community is always the best, but I’m more aware of it than ever right now.
Now my kids, even though you have interrupted me approximately nine times while I’m writing this to ask for snacks, ask for water, or tell on your sibling, I couldn’t love you more. You are sunshine and sparkle and everything good in this world. You are my everything. Even though being stuck inside is kind of a bummer, I’m so grateful for this time with you. I’ve loved slowing down and just enjoying you all without anything to interrupt us.
Derrick, thank you for being my partner through all of this. I love you.
Photo by Kristie Chadwick
Alexa Martin is a writer and stay-at-home mom. She lives with her husband—a former NFL player—their four children, and a German shepherd. When she’s not telling her kids to put their shoes on . . . again, you can find her catching up with her latest book boyfriend or on Pinterest pinning meals she’ll probably never make. Her books are inspired by the eight years she spent as an NFL wife and the reality shows that have her heart.
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