What You Always Wanted (37 page)
Read What You Always Wanted Online
Authors: Kristin Rae
When the door to the office comes into sight, Jesse slows our pace, neither of us ready to split up just yet.
“So, I've got a home game next weekend,” he says.
“Yeah? Are you pitching?”
“Of course.” He pretends to polish the fingernails of his free hand on his shirt. “I was sort of hoping you might want to come watch.”
I let go of his hand and slide mine around his waist, pressing myself closer against the side of his body. He drapes his arm over my shoulder, and nothing's ever felt so perfect, so right.
I stretch up on my toes and kiss the tiny scar on his cheek. “Can't wait.”
God, for life and love and journeys and dreams.
Josh, for taking the journey with me, and supporting my dreams. Layla, for showing me what love really is. Mom, for introducing me to classic movies at an early age, dancing with me in the living room, and singing with me at the top of your lungs. Dad, for giving me the signed head shot of Gene Kelly when I was in high school. Looking at it every day since gave me inspiration and courage to write this story. Grandma Rosie, for making my dress-up clothes, and for the seemingly crazy yet brilliant ideas you share with me. My sweet in-lawsâI will never cease to be thankful for your love and support.
Marietta Zacker, for your expert agenting skills. I can't imagine walking this publishing path with anyone else. Sarah Shumway, for helping me whip this story into shape while
keeping the heart safe. Laura Whitaker and the Bloomsbury team. Y'all are simply wonderful.
Katie M. Stout, Kristi Chestnutt, and Kim Franklin, my critique pals of wonder. I will be forever thankful I found my Ks! Lauren Magaziner, you know what you did and you know how thankful I am for it! Maria Cari Soto, the best beta reader ever. Jennifer Haight, for letting me tag along to high school plays and musicals. Christin Baker, for allowing me to pick your brain. Madalyn, for sharing your youthful insights and wisdom. Kristin Thetford, for cheering me on via Gchat until three in the morning when I reached The End. The Lufkin Six, for the advice, support, and encouragement. The YAHous, for accepting me with open arms. The lovely ladies from the Class of 2k14 and everyone in OneFour KidLit, for one exciting debut year! Boni's Dance and Performing Arts Studio, for the tap classes!
Author, writing, and blogging friends: Amy Finnegan, Mandy Hubbard, Joy Preble, Christina Mandelski, Dahlia Adler, Sharon Morse, Jessica Capelle, Kirsten Squires, Mari Ferrer, Katy Upperman, Jesselle from The Lifelong Bookworm, Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner, Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl, Kate from Ex Libris, Ginger from GReads!, and Hazel from Stay Bookish. Thank you for the book love, reviews, and tweets. Feeling supported means more than I can say!
Gene Kelly, for changing entertainment history and for continuing to inspire even after you left us. This accomplishment in my writing career would not exist without you, and for that I can never thank you enough.
Kristin Rae
is the author of the If Only title
Wish You Were Italian
and was brought up on classic movies and often daydreams that her life is one big musical number. A former figure-skating coach, LEGO merchandiser, and photographer, she's now happy to create stories while pretending to ignore the carton of gelato in the freezer. Kristin lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, daughter, and their two boxers.
Copyright © 2016 by Kristin Rae
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
First published in the United States of America in March 2016
by Bloomsbury Children's Books
E-book edition published in March 2016
Bloomsbury is a registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rae, Kristin.
What you always wanted : an If only novel / by Kristin Rae.
pages cm
Summary: Maddie's dream guy has to live up to the grace and romance of classic Hollywood heartthrobs, especially the song-and-dance man Gene Kelly, so does Jesse Morales, her charming new neighbor and star pitcher of the high school baseball team, have a chance?
ISBN 978-1-61963-345-2 (paperback) ⢠ISBN 978-1-61963-821-1 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-61963-822-8 (e-book)
[1. LoveâFiction. 2. FriendshipâFiction. 3. TheaterâFiction. 4. BaseballâFiction. 5. High schoolsâFiction. 6. SchoolsâFiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.R12313Wh 2016 [Fic]âdc23 2015010339
Book design by Amanda Bartlett
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