Thank you to my amazing editor Caitlin at Edits by C. Marie: You are so gifted beyond words.
To my other editor Kiezha: Thank you for not only helping me with edits, but talking plot with me day after day. You’ve made this story tighter, and I love you for that.
To Danielle Allen: You’re my world. Seriously. We spoke each day for the past two months, and you held my hand when I cracked. You gave me your always inspirational words when I needed them most. You made me laugh when I felt like crying. I love you, friend. SS/KS.
To Staci Brillhart: For the hours you spent on the phone with me, talking storyline. For the hours you spent on messenger with me (MONTHS!) making sure I was okay. The world needs more beautiful souls like you. Thank you for existing, and thank you for allowing me to call you my friend.
To my tribe: You all know who you are. My heart beats with yours. Always.
To Ryan: You’re sleeping right now, a few inches away from me as I type these words in the early morning. My heart is so full. Thank you for holding me in the middle of the night when I woke up in a panic, afraid of the unknown. Thank you for making me smile each and every day. Thank you for loving me. You’re the fire that keeps me warm.
To my proofreader: Judy, you saved me last minute, and your skills are mind-blowing. I’m crazy about you!
To those who made my novel beautiful: My cover photographer. Franggy for the lovely cover image, and my cover designer, Staci, from Quirky Bird.
To my agents who believe in me when I can’t even believe in myself. You’ve made all of my dreams come true. Thank you.
To the readers: Thanks for taking a chance on me and my novels. You changed my life more than you’d ever know.
Lastly a big thank you to my family. For the good times, and the bad, I’d always choose you.
XoXo!
About the Author
Brittainy C. Cherry is a #1 Amazon Bestselling author who has always been in love with words. She graduated from Carroll University with a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. Brittainy lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her family. When she's not running a million errands and crafting stories, she's probably playing with her adorable pets.
Other novels by Brittainy C. Cherry include: The Air He Breathes, Loving Mr. Daniels, Art & Soul, and The Space in Between.
You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BrittainyCherryAuthor
www.twitter.com/brittainycherry
The One by Danielle Allen
The One Blurb
The cattiness.
The fights.
The shaming.
I don’t generally watch reality television, but I definitely don’t watch reality dating shows. Besides the fact that it’s completely staged, it’s a horrible depiction of people—women especially.
Women are pitted against each other to compete for the affection of a man they “fall in love” with after a week or two.
I call B.S.
It is complete crap.
So when my best friend, Koko, was hired as a makeup artist on the set of the most popular reality dating show, The One, I teased her mercilessly.
She told me that if I didn’t stop teasing her, she would get me back.
And she did…
Which is how I ended up as a contestant on The One.
Chapter 1
“What?” I screeched aloud in the empty room.
I reread the congratulatory letter stapled to the top of the confidentiality agreement and other contractual forms to be a contestant on The One. “This has got to be a joke. This has something to do with Koko.”
Although I didn’t let my best friend forget that she was working for a television program that set women back decades, I was so proud of Koko for following her dreams and landing a big time job on a network TV show.
But what does that have to do with me?
Putting my law degree to work, I carefully read each document addressed to me, starting with the one welcoming me to join the “most popular dating show on TV.” With each line I read, I became uncomfortable.
This almost looks real.
When I finished, I tossed the stack of papers on the wooden coffee table and picked up my cell phone. Standing in the center of the rustic living room of my parents’ Virginia home, I tapped my bare foot against the cold hardwood floor as I pushed the call button. With a hand propped on my hip, I waited for my call to be answered.
I glanced at the clock hanging over the crackling fireplace, calculating the time difference between Virginia and California. It’s only four o’clock over there so she should be—
“Zoe!” My best friend’s light airy voice chirped as she answered the phone. “Oh my God!”
“Kumiko Liane Green,” I barked her full name, walking toward my childhood bedroom and closing the door behind me. I flipped on the light and the oceanic blue walls lit up. “This bullshit has your name written all over it.”
The gasping sound of her laughter was infectious as my suspicions were confirmed.
“You ass!” I exclaimed, my smile taking the bite out of my words.