by Kyra Davis
What’s really interesting is that Brad and Robert actually grow close. As it turns out, they’re both gamblers—yes, I still call poker gambling, although Robert plays blackjack, too. In fact, Robert is a high roller. When he goes to Vegas he gets the best suite, tickets to the best shows, and the kind of VIP treatment that even I don’t have access to, and that’s saying something, because as my music continues to take off I’m finding that I’m getting more and more perks and privileges. My video is now up to over ninety-eight million hits.
I even take June to the premiere of the latest Channing Tatum movie. She’s had a huge crush on him since Magic Mike—girlfriend has taste. And yes, she gets to meet him. Brad tells me that if I let her hook up with a single actor while we’re in LA he will leave me. He’s joking . . . sort of.
I consider changing my name back to Melody but at this point it seems silly. Everyone on earth, including all of my fans, knows me as Mercy. And as I once told a former boyfriend, a name is just the first gift your parents give you.
I really don’t want anything from my parents.
For a while Kasie wanted us to confront our parents together, but here’s the thing: I don’t need to. Those feelings of wanting, needing my father’s approval? They’re finally gone. Just gone. I’m now old enough and wise enough to know that the approval of a fucked-up jackass doesn’t mean a lot. And really, that’s the nice thing about having your parents declare you dead. After that, you have the perfect excuse to avoid dealing with them for the rest of time. Of course, if Kasie had insisted, I would have gone with her for emotional support, but she decided she doesn’t need it. So no, I didn’t confront my parents. But I did send them the issue of Rolling Stone in which I was interviewed and revealed the full details of what they did. I attached a note to it saying:
Not quite as attention grabbing as an obituary, but I like it.
Cheers!
Your Most-Definitely-Alive Daughter,
Melody
Maybe that was petty, but oh my God, did I love sending that.
And now, just a few months later, we’re all here in Vegas together, at the Venetian. Robert booked us all amazing suites. He also found us a beautiful space in one of the courtyards of the hotel for my wedding to Brad.
I’m standing here now, under the domed roof of a glass gazebo. Rose petals line the aisle, Kasie and June are by my side, and Robert and one of Brad’s poker buddies are at his. The sky is blue, just like the highlights in my hair. I hold Brad’s hands as he looks into my eyes. June holds Mammoth in her arms—I carried her in lieu of a bouquet, and no, I won’t be throwing her. I’m wearing a tea-length strapless gown with a full tulle skirt and an ivory silk sash around my waist, and major floral embroidery all around the bustier, because if you’re gonna do it, do it right. And as the minister asks Brad if he will take this woman, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, regardless of hair color, until death do us part, he says I do.
There is nothing more amazing than the realization of a perfect moment.
More by bestseller Kyra Davis!
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Just One Night
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A Robert and Kasie short
Just Once More
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Bell's story of passionate revenge
Deceptive Innocence
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Dangerous Alliance
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
* * *
THANKS TO MY EDITOR, Adam Wilson, for being so patient with me as I continued to dramatically change, add, and delete scenes after turning in this manuscript. Seriously. I am so incredibly lucky to continue to have you on my team after all these years!
And thanks to my truly amazing agent, MacKenzie Fraser-Bub, who always provides wonderful guidance, advice, and assistance whenever I need it.
Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Shona Sullivan, for catching so many of my typos and spelling errors—you saved me!
Huge thank-you to my husband, Rod. Although this book is a complete work of fiction, it’s true that some of the things Brad says to Mercy when he calls to tell her she’s the love of his life are things my husband said to me. Rod, you continue to be my inspiration, and I’m so very thankful that we found our way back to one another.
Last but absolutely not least, I want to thank Brad Witmer, who won the honor of having his name used as the male lead in this book after he placed a winning bid in a charity auction that benefited my son’s school. Brad, if I did my job well, when women hear the name Brad Witmer, they will think of a man smart enough to be president, loving enough to be an amazing parent, and well equipped enough to make it as a porn star. Use your new fame wisely.
AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY THE LITTLE ROOM STUDIO
KYRA DAVIS is the New York Times bestselling author of Just One Night, “Just Once More,” the Pure Sin series, the critically acclaimed Sophie Katz mystery series, and the novel So Much for My Happy Ending. Now a full-time author and television writer, Kyra lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, son, their leopard gecko, and their lovably quirky Labrador, Sophie Dogz.
To learn more, visit KyraDavis.com or follow her on Twitter @_KyraDavis and Facebook.com/AuthorKyraDavis.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: authors.simonandschuster.com/Kyra-Davis
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WORKS BY KYRA DAVIS
THE JUST ONE NIGHT SERIES
Just One Night
“Just Once More”
Just One Lie
THE PURE SIN SERIES
Deceptive Innocence
Dangerous Alliance
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Pocket Books
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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.
Copyright © 2015 by Kyra Davis
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First Pocket Books paperback edition August 2015
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Cover design by Jae Song
Cover photographs © Shutterstock
ISBN 978-1-4767-8304-8
ISBN 978-1-4767-5688-2 (ebook)
CONTENTS
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
&
nbsp; Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Acknowledgments
About Kyra Davis
