Sabrina Reed is Nathan Alden's wife, but not by his choice... EXCERPT****** "I found her like this, sir," the guard announced. Sabrina stirred at the voice, blinking groggily and rubbing her eyes to chase away the blur clouding her vision. A towering figure stepped into focus. "What are you doing out here, Sabrina?" Nathan's voice was sharp, cutting through the fog of sleep. His jaw was tight, words pressed between clenched teeth. She blinked again, brushing hair from her face as she sat up. "What are you doing out here?" he repeated-louder this time, more demanding. He stood before her in a jet-black suit and white button-up shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to expose forearms clenched across his chest. His eyebrows were drawn tight, his eyes narrowed. "I came back late last night and... the guard was gone, so... I just fell asleep," she said softly, eyes lowering under the weight of his glare. He dismissed the guard with a silent nod, then stepped closer. "Where were you last night?" he asked, voice taut with suspicion. She yawned, trying to blink herself fully awake. "I've been volunteering at the animal shelter." "Get up," he ordered, tone clipped and harsh. "You expect me to believe that? Don't animal shelters close at a decent time?" She remained seated, her legs too stiff to move. "Yes, but-" "Get up!" he barked.

She never met someone that is so cold and soft at the same time, that is mean to everyone, and not to mention he is super hot. He never met someone so shy, that only minds her own business, and is a total darling and makes his cold heart melt. Liliana Smith is a total angel, she is shy, and the girl that had no friends and her parents are workaholic, she just finished high school and is about to go to college. Greyson Carter is the opposite of Liliana he is cold, has lots of friends, is a hockey player, and has the perfect family. He is on his second year of college. As everyone says, opposites attract each other.

"The moon's really beautiful, if you think about it," I blurted. "Yeah?" he asked, mild amusement and curiosity mingling in his voice. "Yeah," I confirmed. "It's just- there's something about the moon that's ethereal. I don't really know how to describe it, but it's a constant in life. You can't always see it, but you have to trust that it's out there somewhere. And when you can see it, it's all bright and shiny and overcomes the darkness." I paused, searching for the right words. "I don't know. I guess it's a reminder that there are good things out there, even if you can't see them... And it's cool to think that someone hundreds of miles away is staring at the exact same moon as you. It makes me feel not so alone in life." Turning my head, I saw him staring at me intently with a thoughtful look on his face. "Too deep for a Friday night?" I laughed nervously, feeling my face grow hot. And this was precisely why I didn't go to parties. He shook his head and seemed to snap out of his daze. "It was deep in a good way." *** SHE was quiet & left out. Part of a friend group because of convenience. Dealing with fighting parents at home. Looking for more in life. Always wanting to get away from Chicago & start over. Her parents' divorce gave her the perfect opportunity. Ending up in Haven Beach, she rekindled relationships with estranged relatives & got the teenage experience she had always dreamed of. Midnight drives. Bonfires at the beach. Adventures every day. Friends who actually cared. Because of Haven Beach, she found herself. HE was a focused athlete- Haven Beach's golden boy. The 4 F's were all that mattered: football, friends, family, & food. All that changed when a quiet brunette moved to town. Because of her arrival in Haven Beach, his world shifted on its axis. THIS is Charlotte & Eli's story. Started: 12/10/20 Finished: 2/16/21 WC: 107k #1 in contemporary romance 5/24 #1 in sports romance 7/16 #1 in friends to lovers 8/1 #1 in newgirl 8/8