Jillian Cade (21 page)

The world didn't have to be so dark.

Epilogue

I told Norbert
and Sky not to come over to my father's house until noon on Saturday, so everyone could have a chance to sleep in and recover from everything we'd been through. It was a good plan, except that I woke up at the same time I did on weekdays. That's why I went over early, and why I was all alone, digging through my father's stuff in the living room, when it happened.

I had just opened a battered leather satchel and found an empty folder labeled
bridge
when the voice interrupted my search. It was a voice that said my name. A familiar voice that immediately soaked me in rage, in longing, in regret. I looked up at the figure standing in the doorway, and even though I knew—I
knew
—I should throw things, scream, run away
. . .

. . .
old habits die hard. As I had learned over and over and over that week, the head knows better but the heart betrays.

So instead of shrieking or fleeing, I did the exact opposite. I rose to my feet, and I ran straight toward the man standing in the doorway. I flung my arms around him, tears spilling, not knowing what the words would be until after they'd tumbled from my mouth.

“Daddy, you came home.”

Acknowledgments

Here's the thing:
when there's a sex demon in your book, you simply cannot dedicate that book to your children. Or your parents. Or even to your husband because it's just weird, and readers might wonder about your personal life. You CAN, however, dedicate it to the people with whom you once TALKED about sex. The ones who have known you in the most unique way, in the way that has its own language, its own history, its own angels and demons; a way that spans childhood to adulthood. Especially if the book also features—besides sex demons—a protagonist who really, really wants to know her sister. And if you're already lucky enough—in REAL LIFE—to really, really know your three very smart, very cool, very awesome sisters . .
.

That's why the dedication. Because I have the smartest, coolest, most awesome sisters.

And also because—sex demon.

*

Now for some gratitude.

Because I'm a debut author and we are known to have long lists of acknowledgments, I might as well milk it because THE FIRST BOOK ONLY HAPPENS ONCE. Therefore, thank you so very much to the following horde of people:

My indefatigable, passionate, dedicated, all-the-good-adjectives book agent: Lisa Gallagher. I could not ask for a better partner. I'm consistently thrilled and amazed and happily startled by how this works. To a zillion more . . .

The biggest of wet sloppy thanks to Dan Ehrenhaft who took a half-written, raw, messy pile of words and guided it into a story that makes me proud. Working with him was a privilege and a joy, especially those times when one of us got extra excited and went all SHOUTY-CAPS in an email. I am wildly grateful to have been found by him.

Everyone on the Soho Teen dream team who helped this become a real, live book: Bronwen Hruska, Meredith Barnes, Janine Agro, Rachel Kowal, and Amara Hoshijo.

Jennifer Pooley for being an actual fairy godmother. Champagne o'clock!

Nina Berry who was willing to read all the chapters as fast as I could write when I was under a deadline, and who also was not afraid to say the things that needed to be said.

Elise Allen for explaining how it works in Book-Landia.

Nicole Maggi, Lizzie Andrews, Anne Van, Romina Russell, Will Frank—for being the first to read and rip apart.

David Furr who made me feel pretty when he took my headshots.

Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates for her early read and enthusiasm.

Kelly Trussell, Sally Schultheiss, Brendalyn Richard, Hillary Felder, Laurie Peebler, and all the other friends who help just because I ask. Because we are parents, home owners, women—and sometimes we need an extra person to watch the kids or feed the dogs or just listen. And especially Melanie Snell who is the heart and soul of my freaking village.

Ed Pilkington—for long ago telling me what I didn't yet believe: that I was a writer—and to Michael Stokes for showing me how.

The writing and support staff of
Grey's Anatomy
, season 11. Guys—you teach me every day and inspire me more than you know. Seriously, all of you. You have no idea. You're all wonderful writers and—so much more importantly—beautiful humans.

Matt Horwitz, Rina Brannen, Tom Collier—-who are so supportive and loving when I take a little time to follow my heart into a book. I seriously don't know how I lucked into the best screenwriting reps in the world.

And mostly—Josh. Jake. Sam. For all the best parts of life and love.