When Carmen Cruz finds herself in competition with her ex-girlfriend Briar Sutton for the school play, the last thing she expects is for their on-stage rivalry to spiral into a second chance at love. Standalone in the Sunset Scandals series *** After a whirlwind summer fling turned messy breakup, Carmen Cruz thought she had left Briar Sutton in the past. But then they're unexpectedly reunited when Carmen learns she'll be competing with her ex for the lead role in the school play. Unresolved feelings quickly turn into a heated rivalry. And then their drama instructor throws the pair together to rehearse and Sunset Scandals stirs up drama, leaving Carmen to wonder if their undeniable stage chemistry is just an act, or something deeper. But Briar doesn't date, and Carmen promised she'd never give Briar another opportunity to break her heart, right? Will fate give them a second chance under the bright stage lights, or is history doomed to repeat itself?

Elara Moore is the kind of doctor everyone trusts-bright, kind, and always putting others first. But behind her sunshine smile is a life carefully balanced, managing Type 1 diabetes and the pressure to never fall behind. Rowan Hale is the opposite. A brilliant surgeon who runs on routine, silence, and control, he doesn't do distractions-and definitely doesn't do emotions. Until Elara. Thrown together in the hospital, their worlds collide in long shifts, quiet moments, and unspoken tension. Rowan starts noticing the things no one else does-her health, her limits, the way she pushes herself too hard. Elara starts realizing that behind his gruff exterior is a steady presence she never knew she needed. When a workplace rivalry, an unexpected injury, and blurred boundaries force them closer, caring turns into trust... and trust begins to feel like something more. A slow-burn, grumpy × sunshine workplace romance about healing, resilience, and the quiet way love grows.

"Hey," I get her attention as I sit closer to her. "We're doing everything we can to find this mob okay? You'll be out of this situation in no time." "And what if something bad happens," she looks at me wide eyed with those beautiful eyes of hers. Can never forget the colour. Hazel with little bits of green inside them. "Nothing bad will happen." "But something bad always happens to me. I have such a bad feeling about all this and my gut never lies to me," her voice cracks at the end. "It's life and death. Nothing ever good comes out of that." A lone tear slides down her cheek and she shuts both her eyes tightly, her palms squeezing the fuck out of her thighs. I quickly grab one of them so she can stop hurting herself and put pressure on my palm instead. "I need you to stop crying and go rest now. I think that would be best for you." "But..." "No buts. I know you're a strong independent woman that really needs to solve this and find out what's going on but stop okay? I'll take care of it." "Pinky swear?" She sniffs as she holds out her little finger and I find myself smiling at her. "Of course." I wrap my finger with hers. What happened next really surprised me. *** Liya Abrechtt, a popular girl at college, starting her career, straight A student, everyone loves her, her life is practically normal. Until it isn't. When her father gets his hands dirty in business, Liya later finds out that there's a gang hunting her down and out for blood due to her father's mistakes. She's the key aspect that they want and they'll do anything to have her. Lysander Arden, boss of the undercover team, working behalf of federal agents. He has one job and that is to protect her. Him and his team have been assigned to keeping the billionaires daughter safe from harms way. It shouldn't be too hard right? That is, until the agent himself completely falls for her and complications meet their way... *** *Warning* This story contains mature themes

Cindy and Summer thought their bitter high school rivalry was finally behind them- until they both end up at the same college. To their horror, they're not only on the same campus but sharing the same dorm room.