From the front of his cottage, Tom watched the lovers go, his spirit filled with joy. He looked up at the young rose tree that arched over the edge of the cliff, and he closed his eyes. There are some men who love only once, and Tom Parstle was such a man.
A turn in the weather caused Tom to open his eyes just in time to see the solitary white rose among its red sisters drop a single petal. Caught on a breeze, it flitted through the air, dancing in the morning light before landing in the palm of his hand. Tom smiled to himself, and gently folded his fingers around the petal. Then, slowly, with the solitude of a man whose tale was never told, he went inside, closing the door behind him.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Enormous thanks to:
Krista Marino, the most astoundingly brilliant editor a girl could dream of having. This book is every bit as much her doing as it is mine. To Beverly Horowitz, Angela Carlino, and the rest of the amazing Delacorte Press team. To Kate Garrick, Brian DeFiore, Madelyn Mahon, and everyone else at DeFiore and Company.
Thanks to all the writers, teachers, and friends who helped with the book: Keith Abbott, Duncan Barlow, Jocelyn Camp, Julie Caplan, Camille DeAngelis, Sam Hansen, Patricia Hernandez, Kristen Kittscher, Jay Kristoff, Jennifer Laughran, Alex Raben, Isak Sjursen, Teddy Templeman, and Andrew Wille.