The Opposite of Me (50 page)

“I kept telling you to jump,” he said. “Now it’s my turn.”

I felt something unfurling inside of me, something that had been closed up like a fist.

“What I can’t figure out is if this is a recent thing, or if I’ve loved you all along,” Matt said. “Maybe it took you leaving to make me realize it.”

“You love me?” I whispered.

“I love everything about you,” he said. “I love the way you skip dinner when you’re dieting and then eat a pint of ice cream later because you get so hungry. I love the way you line up your pencils at right angles to your stapler. I love how you’re looking at me so seriously right now with this big smudge of dust on your nose.”

He stepped closer to me and gently rubbed it off with the pad of his thumb.

Everything seemed to swirl around me as I stood there, inside my new life, the one rich with so many possibilities. Inside my new house. And inside Matt’s arms.

It was exactly where I wanted to be.

MY FIRST READER IS always my father, John Pekkanen, and he’s the best editor and writer I know. Dad, I’ve got a proposal: I’ll forget about the surprise in your voice when you said, “Hey, you might actually be able to get this thing published!” and you forget about that little incident involving me and the nocturnal break-in at the neighborhood swimming pool. Deal?

Lynn Pekkanen, my mother, is a fine editor in her own right—and the most supportive one I could wish for. Thanks for believing, Mom. And thanks to my brothers Robert and Ben, both excellent writers themselves, who encouraged and harassed me along the way.

I’m lucky to have three sisters-in-law who read early chapters and gave me good critiques: Saadia Pekkanen, Tammi Lee Hogan, and Carolyn Reynolds Mandell. And other readers improved this book in countless ways: Rachel Baker, Anita Cheng, Lindsay Maines, Janet Mednick, and the gang in Hildie Block’s class at the Writer’s Center, especially Rick. And my gratitude to Susan Coll, for inspiration and guidance over sushi.

Chandra Greer generously taught me about the world of advertising, and Mike Langley and Karl Wenzel also helped fill
in the gaps. The book
Adventures of an Advertising Woman
by Jane Maas provided both a rollicking good read and some valuable background. I hope in creating Lindsey’s fictional agency I didn’t stretch the facts too much—but if I did, please feel free to blame Mike.

I’ve been so touched by the warm welcome I’ve gotten from book bloggers, who have generously mentioned
The Opposite of Me
on their websites and let me post guest blogs. Thank you all for championing books, and for supporting not just me but so many other authors.

My agent, Victoria Sanders, is as smart and kind as they come—and her dedication is unmatched. Here’s proof: She once emailed me from the dentist’s chair. Victoria, I hope I’m lucky enough to work with you for many, many years. Victoria’s editorial director, Benee Knauer, pored over this manuscript and helped shape it from page one. Benee, thank you, thank you, thank you. My appreciation also to Chris Kepner in Victoria’s office.

Chandler Crawford helped this book see the world—my deep gratitude to her and to my publishers in foreign countries.

When it came time for my agent to submit this book, the name of one editor was at the top of my dream list. Greer Hendricks, you are my literary Harvard! I knew your reputation as being the best in the business. What I didn’t know was how kind and warm you would be—and how good you are at coming up with book titles. Thanks also to Greer’s assistant, Sarah Walsh, for helping in innumerable ways during this process, and to the entire team at Atria, including Judith Curr, Kathleen Schmidt, Jessica Purcell, Carole Schwindeller, Sarah Cantin, Anna Dorfman, and the amazing sales team. I can’t imagine a better home for a novelist. And my deep appreciation to Jennifer Weiner, for her support and suggestions.

I’ve been fortunate to learn about writing from some wonder
ful newspaper and magazine editors, starting with Jack Limpert at
The Washingtonian
, who gave me my first job in the business, possibly against his better judgment. Thanks to Leland Schwartz for hiring me at the late, great States News Service and to David Grann, Marty Tolchin, and Al Eisele at
The Hill
. My gratitude also to Jeff Stinson and Judy Austin at Gannett. The day John Carroll gave me a job at
The Baltimore Sun
will always stand out in my memory. Thank you, John, for fighting the good fight for storytelling, and for allowing me to work with Jan Winburn, who showed me how it’s done. Steve Hull of
Bethesda Magazine
is the kind of editor every writer should have—supportive, enthusiastic, and whip-smart. Finally, to my friend Bill Marimow, now at the helm of
The Philadelphia Inquirer
. Bill is that rare individual who seems happiest when he is helping others succeed. Thanks for everything, Bill. Our next round of beers is on me.

An extra biscuit to Bella for warming my feet while I wrote.

And to my husband, Glenn Reynolds, and our sons, Jack, Will, and Dylan. You all make me so happy, every day.

S
ARAH
P
EKKANEN

A Readers Club Guide

1. When you first encounter Lindsey Rose, what is your reaction to her workaholic attitude? Do you see it as justifiable in her profession?

2. Lindsey’s nemesis in the office is Cheryl, and Lindsey is upset by how Cheryl uses her sexuality to advance her job. What do you think of Cheryl’s tactics? Is Lindsey right to be so opposed to them?

3. What is your opinion of Alex, Lindsey’s sister? Lindsey views Alex’s life as flawless—do you agree with that characterization? Are there any clues you noticed that showed her life may be less than wonderful?

4. How would you describe the dynamic between Alex and Lindsey? How does being twins affect their relationship as adults, especially since Alex received so much attention growing up?

5. What did you think of the sisters’ parents? Do you see their bumbling, funny personalities as having a balancing effect on their daughters?

6. When Lindsey hides in the bathroom and overhears how much Cynthia Givens’s employees dislike their boss, why does it have such a big effect on her?

7. After Lindsey’s shopping spree, how did her personality change? Was this just a superficial adjustment for her, or did it have a deeper effect? And why did she hide it from her parents and Alex?

8. Why do you think Lindsey didn’t want to be with Bradley when they were younger? Did something else come into play besides the fact that Lindsey wasn’t ready for a “real” relationship?

9. Describe the relationship between May and Lindsey. In what ways were their previous lives—Lindsey as an executive, May as a political wife—similar? In what ways did May rub off on Lindsey, and vice versa?

10. How does Alex’s medical condition affect the relationship between the sisters? Was such a major event the only way they could start over, or do you think they would have eventually formed a better relationship anyway?

11. Do you think it’s common for people to be assigned certain roles in their family—like the “pretty” sister or the “smart” one—and do you think those labels are fair? Were they fair to Lindsey and Alex? Do you feel like you have a certain label in your own family? Do you think it fits you?

12. How did Alex’s flirtation with Bradley affect Lindsey’s feelings for him? Do you believe Lindsey would’ve fallen for Bradley if he and Alex hadn’t connected first? Do you think Lindsey would have been happy with Bradley if they’d ended up together?

13. How do you feel about the relationship that suddenly develops between Matt and Lindsey? Do you think it will last? Do you see Lindsey being happy staying in Maryland? Or do you think she will return to New York City?

14. Lindsey’s mantra throughout the later part of the story was to “jump.” How did she eventually learn to do this? How has she changed since the story began?

What was the inspiration for your book? Is it based on any real events in your life?

Nope, it’s pure fiction. I’m lucky to have two brothers I adore, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister. I’m fascinated by the rich, complex relationships my friends have with their sisters. So when it came time to write
The Opposite of Me,
I made the relationship between Lindsey and Alex as messy and loving and complicated and competitive as possible.

I’m also intrigued by the way people get assigned certain labels in their families, like the “smart” one, the “pretty sister,” the “drama queen,” or the “peacemaker.” What if those labels don’t fit how we feel inside? What if they’re all wrong for who we are really meant to be?

What do you think the term “chick lit” means today? Is it what you would consider this story?

I think “chick lit” refers to fun, smart books about women
who are figuring out their choices in life. As in every other genre, there is a wide range of books—some better than others. I’m not sure if
The Opposite of Me
will be classified as chick lit. I’m just hoping people will think of it as a good book!

Have you had bosses like the ones in the story? Or were you that type of driven employee yourself?

Luckily, I’ve never had the kind of bosses Lindsey had in New York (though I’ve had several bosses who turned into friends, like May did with Lindsey). I’m not especially driven—I watch far too much reality TV and I have a love affair with Sunday afternoon naps—but I am passionate about writing. I can’t imagine my life without it. It’s what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child, when I used to get in trouble in school for not paying attention and wandering into the wrong classroom ten minutes after the bell rang. I was busy creating stories in my mind—and I still do it today, which means I often miss my exit on the highway and don’t realize it until half an hour later. By the way, my husband just
loves
this quality in me.

You are from Maryland yourself; did you find it easier to write about an area you knew?

Definitely. I knew it would be fun to write about my hometown and give cameos to my favorite spots and restaurants. But someday I’d love to stretch my imagination and create a fictional town as a setting, too. Can you imagine the sense of power as you create tall buildings and lakes and highways while you sip your morning cup of coffee?

Why did you decide to make Lindsey and Alex twins? Do you think it creates a special bond or competition between them?

I’ve always heard that twins do have a special connection,
and some even create their own language as babies, or have a physical reaction at the precise moment something bad happens to the other one miles away. But when I sat down to write, I wondered what would happen if Lindsey and Alex were complete opposites. What if they had absolutely nothing in common, yet were constantly compared because they were twins? How would that shape their relationship?

The parents are such lovable, fun characters. Are they based on your own parents, or were you just hoping to add a lighthearted touch to the story?

Thank you! They’re completely fictional, although my parents read
The Opposite of Me
and expressed suspicion about a few similarities (My parents adore Ikea’s low-priced breakfasts, lingonberries and all.) I love books that make me laugh, so I wanted Lindsey and Alex’s parents to provide some comic relief. I grew really fond of the parents, and hope readers will, too.

Have you ever gone on a blind date? Why was it a field you decided to throw Lindsey into?

I’ve never been on a real blind date—I can only imagine the angst and phone calls to my friends and quantity of hair care products involved!—but I thought a dating service would provide such great material for a novel that I couldn’t resist making it Lindsey’s new workplace. It was interesting to dream up all the reasons why someone would seek out a dating service, and I tried to give Lindsey an eclectic mix of clients.

I’m sure everyone is curious: Is honey on popcorn actually good?

Ooh, it’s so good. One of my sons’ babysitters made it that way once, and I loved it. As Alex says, it’s “worth the sticky fingers.” Try it!