A Lot to Tackle (13 page)

Read A Lot to Tackle Online

Authors: Belle Payton

“I heard,” Corey said, turning to high-five Ava. “I bet it's no fun up there without me.”

“Oh, don't flatter yourself. It's plenty fun,” Ava teased.

“Help me choose snacks,” Alex said, suddenly
embarrassed by her thoughts. She handed Ava and Corey a few of the dollars. Alex quickly fed her money into the machines, scooping up chips and cookies. She listened to Corey and Ava tease each other, but she didn't look at him. She couldn't. Whatever had just happened had been too weird.

In the elevator, Corey stood beside her. As Ava stepped forward to press the button to their floor, Corey nudged Alex with his elbow, and she turned her head. He silently handed her a Snickers.

Then he smiled.

And Alex knew she wasn't making it up.

Belle Payton
isn't a twin herself, but she does have twin brothers! She spent much of her childhood in the bleachers reading—er, cheering them on—at their football games. Though she left the South long ago to become a children's book editor in New York City, Belle still drinks approximately a gallon of sweet tea a week and loves treating her friends to her famous homemade mac-and-cheese. Belle is the author of many books for children and tweens, and is currently having a blast writing two sides to each It Takes Two story.

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Jacket illustrations by Anthony VanArsdale by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Jacket designed by Ciara Gay

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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This Simon Spotlight edition September 2015

Text by Heather Alexander

Cover art by Anthony VanArsdale

© 2015 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

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Designed by Ciara Gay

The text of this book was set in Garamond.

ISBN 978-1-4814-4203-9 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-4814-4202-2 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-4814-4204-6 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number 2014952441

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