Page 111 of Pretty Poison

“She just wanted to thank me for believing in her,” Rocky replied as he reclaimed Asher’s hand.

“We all need a Rocky Jacobs in our corner,” Asher said, kissing him on the cheek.

“Well, look at you two,” Daisy said when they stepped inside the bar. “I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful couple.”

Her burly husband, Edgar, guffawed and straightened his leather dinner jacket. “I think we can still show these youngsters a thing or two, baby,” he told her.

Daisy kissed her husband’s cheek, then asked him to show them to their seats. They followed Edgar to a large table located at the front and center of the stage. Jonah, Avery, Jude, and Felix were already seated with Amos and Marla’s parents, Thomas and Jessa Rae. They hugged Marla’s mom and shook her father’s hand.

“This event is so Marla,” Jessa Rae said, looking around at the glitz and glam. “Catered dinner and themed cocktails. No one shines brighter than my baby.”

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to see her perform live,” Thomas said. “We missed so much time with her.”

Amos patted the older man’s back. “You know the rules, Thom.”

“No mourning her while she’s still alive,” everyone at the table said, making her parents chuckle.

The guest of honor appeared a few minutes later, wearing a strapless teal ball gown. Rocky wasn’t sure what the dress was made of, but it was satiny and poofy and fit for royalty. Marla loved the attention, waving and blowing kisses at her adoring friends as she wove her way through the tables until she reached theirs.

She went around the table, greeting them with a hug and a kiss. “You look so happy, Pretty Boy,” she said.

“And you are the most divine creature ever made.”

Marla batted her eyelashes. “You think?”

“I know.”

Her lips trembled as she looked around the room. “This celebration has rendered me speechless.”

“Since when?” Amos asked.

Marla spun around and slapped him playfully on the arm. “Oh, you.”

Amos took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You are my greatest treasure, and you deserve this wonderful night.”

“You are a big softie,” Marla said, then leaned down to kiss him. “I love you.” She stood up and fanned her face. “Don’t none of you assholes make me cry and ruin my makeup before my performance.”

Once Marla sat down, the caterers began serving the elegant dinner. At first, the conversation was stilted because no one had ever attended a life celebration for a person who was still alive.

“They better serve mashed potatoes this good in heaven,” Marla said, breaking the silence.

Jessa Rae made a strangled noise, then cleared her throat. “They will if your grandmother has a say.”

“She did make the best, didn’t she?” Marla said before forking another bite into her mouth.

The caterers moved fluidly between tables, replenishing drinks and whisking away empty plates. The lights dimmed as soon as the guests had their dessert plates and coffee.

“Oh, it’s showtime,” Marla said.

Queen after amazing queen took to the stage to pay tribute to the woman who’d touched their lives. Each of them shared a story or gave a speech before they performed a song. Marla’s parents had contributed dozens of photos and the video montage to music was heart wrenching and beautiful. The evening was the most moving display of love Rocky had ever witnessed. A ceremony that had felt a little odd in the beginning now felt like the bar they should all aim for.

Marla wiped away an occasional stray tear, but mostly she sang along and danced in her chair. She was living every minute to the fullest and setting an example for the rest of them to follow. Marla stood up when it was almost time for her to take center stage.

“I hope you enjoy my performance, Mama and Daddy,” she said.

“We will, angel,” Thom said.

“Is someone recording this?” Jessa Rae asked. “I want to be able to watch it over and over.”