“They broke up right before the summer started. Lexi’s idea. But the two of them were perfect for each other. I’ve been telling her that all along.”
I watch as Lexi and Jason make out as they bob up and down beneath the waves. The rest of the party splashes around, giggling.
“Well, good for them,” I exclaim. “We shouldn’t be the only ones to be this lucky.”
“Captain Abby Berkeley, you are amazing,” Brody says.
“I try.” I wink, wrapping my arms around Brody’s neck. “You know, I was looking forward to bossing you around next summer. So much for that.”
I go in for another kiss.
Brody lifts me up in the air. Then with me in his arms, he plants the most amazing kiss on my lips as the beach waves wash over his feet.
Zoe was right: sophomore summer was the best ever.
Acknowledgments:
First and foremost, thanks to the prettyTOUGH readers and fans of the series, booksellers, librarians, and the amazing group of bloggers I’ve had the honor of meeting through e-mails, posts, and in person. I cherish each and every one of our correspondences and I cannot express in words how much your encouragement and kudos mean to me.
Thank you to Jane Schonberger and George Morency for not only creating this amazing brand for athletic girls but for dedicating your lives to it. Also, thanks for your hospitality and for making my family and me feel so at home in Los Angeles this summer. The trip was an amazing experience we’ll never forget.
Thanks to everyone at Razorbill for your guidance and incredibly hard work. Thanks to Gillian Levinson, my talented and hardworking editor. This book wouldn’t be close to what it is without you. Also, bunches of thanks to Michelle Grajkowski, my fairy agent (or super agent as Kaci calls you), for your never-ending encouragement and cheers. I’m so blessed to work with such an incredible team.
This book would not be possible without the beta reads and critiques from Katia Raina, Kari Olson, Carrie Harris, Colleen Rowan Kosinski, and Jane Schonberger. Thanks so much for your prettyTOUGH comments and for pushing me to be a better writer. A special thanks to my lifeguard expert, Annamaria Colella, for reading early drafts and answering tons of questions about everything from sneakers on the beach to swim competitions.
As always thanks bunches to my family for picking up the slack and cheering me on. Mom, your strength is always an inspiration to me. And Dad, thanks for the police jargon, insight, and trips in your squad car. The father depicted in the book is not you. You’re too kind, strong, sane, and accepting. Ron, Ida, Kelly, Michael, Nicole, and Anthony, thanks bunches for all your cheers and help with childcare. To my niece, Sydney, thanks for your list of character names and for keeping me company while I write. Thanks to my youngest niece, Sabrina, for reading Stealing Bases out loud to me for the first time. I’m so proud of both of you.
And last but certainly not least, thanks to my incredible tribe, Justin and Kaci Olivia. Justin, without your encouragement I would be talking about writing a book without ever actually doing it. Thanks for picking up the slack while I’m on deadline, listening to my first drafts, and offering up your boy dialogue suggestions. And last, but certainly not least, thanks to my daughter, Kaci Olivia. You give me the courage to write what I love and to be my authentic self. You’re my inspiration, Boo. I love you both bunches.
Making Waves was written in memory of Tina Voiro, a prettyTOUGH girl with a kind and generous heart who was taken from this world suddenly during the initial drafting stage of this novel. A charity, Healing Hearts: The Tina Voiro Foundation Inc., was created in this amazing woman’s memory. It raises funds to donate Automated External Defibrillators to youth sports organizations.
Making Waves Page 20