The Rearranged Life (39 page)

I don’t know how James and my family will play out. I don’t know what I’ll do in the future. I do know one thing, as I stare at Sejal’s family, Sophia and her mother Sarah, my family and the St. Clairs: For now, when I am surrounded by the people I love, the open road in front of me looks glorious.

To Amma and Daddy, for being my pillars of strength. You never cease sacrificing for me, all in the name of my success. For that, I am the luckiest. I hope I can live up to the privilege of having you as parents. Sri, you are every form of dignity and brilliance that I could never manage. Every step you take fills me with pride. I love you three. Thank you for our culture, love and laughs.

To my extended family in India—you may be far away but your support is close to my heart.

To my best girls: Liz, my best friend on earth, for being my rock and the best listener I have ever met. Melissa, for reading every draft I’ve written and always responding when I had doubts about the story…or what shoes to buy. Sarah and Kayla, for always dropping everything and indulging in Starbucks with me. Nidhi, Sarika and Trusha, for being loving, realistic and supportive of my shenanigans. Megan, for seeing into the future and telling me to finish the story the day I wrote the first scene.

To Rob and Rachel, the SBS family, and my supportive Penn State professors for encouraging me to meet my professional potential as well as my personal aspirations. It’s not every day you get to watch the best when it comes to both learning and exploration.

To Stacey: the day you asked for my full manuscript was one of the most exciting days of my life! It only gets better every time you go to bat for me, and have my best interests at heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better agent or friend! Here’s to many more.

To the NAC—Amanda, Ara, Jessica, Kate, Laura, Marie, Meredith and Sophia: our little debut family is amazing. Thanks for all the #ff’s, freak out chats, and tips on how not to lose our minds.

To my CQ family: Lisa, for smoothing out the many kinks and making this a novel instead of a Word document and understanding these characters. Nikki and Andrew, for answering many, many questions about everything under the sun, even the ones directed to the wrong person. Eugene, for the time you spent on my cover and all of your tech expertise. Clare and Vicki for all of your promotion and help. Anita, for all the number crunching. Helga, Tanya and Rhea for all the behind-the-scenes work and Hans for your technical expertise.

And finally, for all of the people who read this book and feel something. James and Nithya’s love story going into the world is monumental for me…and if you are reading these words, I owe you my utmost thanks, love and hugs for using your precious time to hear their tale. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Annika Sharma
was born in New Delhi and brought up in the United States, where she moved with her parents as a baby. A proud alum, she graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Biobehavioral Health and Neuro-Psychology, and minors in Biology and Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education before pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer, landing her agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group while daylighting as a preschool teacher.
The Rearranged Life
, her first novel, was written in the month before graduate school.

Annika, a Gryffindor and Scorpio, spends much of her time dreaming of adventure, working on her next book, going on Starbucks runs with family and friends, shopping online and watching superhero movies.

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