Feuds
Page 24
Life without Cole, without love, seemed like its own version of death. Davis felt void, dark, hopeless. But there was this girl, and there was the fact that maybe her mother was still alive. Without Cole, none of it mattered.
Still. Something in the girl’s movements had seemed frantic.
In the darkness of the van, Davis had the choice to succumb to it if she wanted, to let it envelop her. But Cole’s last words to her echoed in her ears. They were enough to keep her on this side of giving up. Cole had said, I’ll look for you, forever. I love you. She believed him. She didn’t know how, but it wasn’t over. Not until she had more answers. The truck labeled QUARANTINE moved forward over bumpy roads and ditches, and all Davis could make out from where she lay was the bright blue sky.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The process of writing this novel was such a joy, and I look back on it as an example of what a collaboration can be at its most exciting. I’d love to thank Angela Velez, Lexa Hillyer, and Laura Schechter of Paper Lantern Lit, all of whom I’ve known in so many capacities for nearly seven years: as colleagues, friends, and now editors. You are three brilliant women for whom I have much admiration and respect. Without your notes and creative insights—and without the way you relentlessly pushed me to be a better writer—this book would not have come together the way it has.
My sincere thanks to Jen Weis, whose brilliant editorial instincts have helped mold this novel into something I can take pride in.
My writer friends in both New York and Paris, where I wrote the bulk of this novel, have provided me with endless support. Your constant encouragement and the sense of community you provide mean more than I can say.
Thank you to all those who welcomed me in France, in particular Amy Plum, who generously invited me into her Loire Valley home (providing evening cocktails and afternoon baguettes/pâtes/terrines and an endless coffee supply in the morning) for two writing retreats, shepherded me toward several deadlines with my sanity and sense of humor intact, and made me chicken soup when my romantic endeavors crashed and burned. Morgan Matson, who visited for six weeks in Paris, scouted out the best shopping spots and writing-friendly cafés (Les Emporte Pièces!), coined Falafel Sundays, introduced me to the best crepe man in Paris, loaned out her kitchen for mashed-potato-making and her Internet for Web-perusing, guided me toward what will be an everlasting love for Mindy Kaling, and became my number one Paris sidekick and a friend whom I treasure. Finally, Celeste Rhoads: I can’t enumerate the many ways you helped me settle in and grow to love Paris! As a writer, you supported me in so many ways (by organizing events and introducing me to fellow creatives). As a friend, you made all the difference: from your initial advice over our first lunch regarding music venues and dance party–friendly bars and thrift stores, to nights hanging out at the library for hours after closing (a strange yet welcome iteration of my nerdy childhood dream), to picnics in the park, to piña colada–fueled dinners—you are a part of so many of my favorite memories. You’re a huge part of why I came to love Paris, and why I’ll miss it wholeheartedly. To the American Library in Paris, and in particular my teen writing group at the ALP: your support and friendship will always be remembered and appreciated. I look forward to returning for many visits (and to Skype-crashing future writing group sessions!).
Much love and many thanks to my friends and family in New York and elsewhere who invited me into their homes when I was in transition, and of course to those who offered me constant love and friendship in one way or another throughout the period of time in which I was writing this novel: Jessica Palette, Lauren Palette, Marielle Spangler, Jackie Resnick, Kourtney Bitterly, Caroline Donofrio, Katherine Lofts, Jocelyn Davies, Rachel Abrams, Kristen Sylvester, Maggie Hazboun, and Katie Brunetti.
Lastly, thank you always to my parents—excellent and devoted readers (in every way), as well as two of the best editors I’ve ever had.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Avery Hastings is an author and former book editor from New York City. She grew up in Ohio, graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and earned her MFA at The New School. When she’s not reading or writing, Avery can usually be found in the park with her affable dog, and like her protagonists in Feuds, she knows how to throw a powerful right hook and once dreamed of becoming a ballerina. In addition to New York, Avery has lived in Mumbai and Paris, but is happy to call Brooklyn home (for now).
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
FEUDS. Copyright © 2014 by Paper Lantern Lit. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Elsie Lyons
Cover photographs: girl © ayakovlevcom/Shutterstock.com; city © diversepixel/Shutterstock.com; molecular illustration © watchara/Shutterstock.com
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-05771-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-4532-9 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466845329
First Edition: September 2014
sometimes the heart
is the greatest enemy …
Don’t miss
rival
a Feuds Series e-original novella
AVAILABLE DECEMBER 2014
can love survive?
Davis and Cole battle for truth and each other in
torn
the finale of the Feuds Series
AVAILABLE JUNE 2015