Jackpot!
Authors: Jackie Pilossoph
So incredibly original and refreshing, it has all the elements that make it a fabulous read including witty dialogue, romance, humor, a remarkably original plot and wonderful characters.
Jackpot!
is a novel that readers of authors like Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella and Jennifer Weiner will adore!-Danielle Smith, Chick Lit Reviews
Jackie Pilossoph definitely hits the jackpot with her sophomore novel. With snappy dialogue and loveable personality traits, the two main characters will become your friends. Add in a heart clenching plot twist and plenty of scenes that will leave you laughing out loud!
-Samantha Robey, Chick Lit +
Copyright © 2010 Jackie Pilossoph
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 1461135079
ISBN-13: 9781461135074
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4392-9596-0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. For information address: [email protected]
This book is dedicated to my two little jackpots, Isaac and Anna
Contents
A big thank you to the following people:
A big thank you
to the following people:
Christine Reiter Salah for editing this book for me, Mia McNary for her amazing artistic ability, Dina Silver for giving me the guts to actually go through with this, Anne Paul Clarke for being my on-call attorney, Jackie Langas for becoming a PR agent for HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM, Sandy Sroubek for schlepping to LA with me for the HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM book launch, just to be by my side, Kathy Jeffery for attending multiple book events (and working booths) with me, Jamie Gelb and Ruby Kang for flying here to come to the HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM launch party, the wonderful Glenview community who supported me and gave me an overwhelming turnout for the launch party, all the people who came to multiple book events for me just because they knew I needed a crowd, the editors from Make It Better and Patch for publishing my articles, Lisa Kappes for bringing her entire book club to the NBC 10 show to support me, Chris Blackman for getting me on the NBC 10 show, Mary Beth Wilkas for driving me to my book signings in Philadelphia, Mike Hamernick for the WGN appearance, Shana Drehs for giving me the confidence that Jackpot was a really great book, Matt Balson for building me an awesome website (really quickly), all the people who took time to read my manuscripts: Lynn Bruno, Jennifer Devine, Keri Williams, Melissa Uhlig, Laura Harris, Holly Hamburg, Susan Slutzky, Cindy Klaja McLaughlin, Melinda Boutsikakis, Alixe Small, Christine Reiter Salah, Anne Paul Clarke, Susan Palkovic, Liz Becker, John Fitzpatrick, Julie Kadish, Kate Weaver, Kristin Portolese, Mitch Galin, Sue Pilossoph, Frieda Pilossoph, Robin Pilossoph and Vicki Pilossoph, all the women who hosted me at their book clubs over the past year, the Cinnamon 7 whose friendships are so dear to me, my family who continues to stand by me and support all my nutty ideas, my dad for his everlasting encouragement and words of support, my mom for being my best friend, my boyfriend, Mark, who always makes it clear he’s rooting for me, and of course, my kids, who continue to give me overwhelming joy and happiness every day.
Although I have problems and issues (just like everyone else), I truly feel like in life, I’ve already won the JACKPOT!
From
The Chicago Tribune
obituaries,
December 21, 1982Jacobson, Seth Alan
Seth Alan Jacobson, 27, of Chicago, passed away on December 18, 1982. A funeral service will be held tomorrow at 12:15 at
Shalom Memorial Funeral Home,
1650 W. Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL. He is survived by his loving wife, Francine (Frankie), his son Danny, 5, and his daughter, Jamie, 3.
The year 2011…
Jamie
“How much are these again?”
The shoe salesman answered with slight annoyance in his voice, “Four ninety-five.”
As Jamie Jacobson looked once again in the two foot mirror that was on the carpet of the
Saks
shoe department, she continued admiring the strappy gold
Jimmy Choos
on her feet. The thought of spending almost five hundred dollars she didn’t have for a pair of sandals was semi-ridiculous, therefore causing her major anxiety. On the other hand, she knew she looked hot hot hot!
Jamie turned her right foot about 5 degrees to appreciate the side view. Then she did the same with her left foot. ‘I can think of at least five occasions I need them for,’ she sold herself.
She could actually hear her mother’s voice inside her head. ‘No one looks at your shoes, they look at your eyes.’
Jamie spoke to herself again. ‘I’ve had a rough week. These will really put me in a good mood.’
Again she heard her mother. ‘You’re getting married soon. That doesn’t put you in a good mood?’
‘My feet look like Halle Berry’s,’ was Jamie’s best selling point. Her mother had no response.
“I’ll take them,” Jamie told the salesman.
“Very nice,” he responded, instantly perking up and transforming into a cheerful guy, “How are you going to pay for these?”
Suddenly Jamie was offended. “What?” she snapped, “Do I look like I can’t pay for these?”
“All I meant was credit card, cash or check?”
“Oh,” Jamie responded humbly, “Visa.”
Jamie’s new
Jimmy Choos
sat in her closet for exactly two hours before she decided to wear them out for dinner with some friends that evening. Walking down Michigan Avenue, she felt confident in her slinky black halter dress, but it was the shoes that made her feel like a movie star. With her head held high and her shoulders back, Jamie strutted down the block like she owned it. Several men noticed her. She noticed them noticing, and smiled as she thought about how glad she was that she bought the shoes and didn’t listen to her mother.
When she reached a stoplight, she stopped walking and waited to cross with a handful of other pedestrians. That’s when she heard something awful. It was a sound that actually made her cringe. A toddler was screaming and crying. Before Jamie even turned around to find out where the annoying noise was coming from, a baby stroller pulled up next to her and she saw the little terror. ‘Please God,’ she prayed silently, ‘make the light turn green quickly.’ Then she gave the kid’s mother a fake, sympathetic smile. The light remained red.
“Here, sweetie,” said the brat’s mom to her son as she handed him the McDonald’s milkshake she was holding, “Will this make you feel better?”
Jamie rolled her eyes and looked at the boy with disgust. ‘Thank the Lord this will never be me,’ she thought, as she saw the light turn green. Then, just as she was about to take her first step across the street, she felt it. Cold, thick, sticky liquid on her feet. She gasped when she looked down and saw the milkshake the toddler had just thrown on her sandals. All she could do was stand there with her mouth hanging open.
Danny
Outside a Lincoln Park
Starbucks
, a beautiful girl sat at one of the tables drinking a venti skim misto and reading the
Chicago Tribune
. She kept to herself until she saw a really good looking, dark skinned, dark haired guy come out of the store. They exchanged smiles, and then he approached her.