He was always stoic and serious, but no one could deny his kindness and sensibility that can only be seen through his actions. It was the little things. How he came to pick me up when I texted him. How he asked me what kind of wedding ring I wanted. How he looked into my eyes when every time he had something important to say. How he gave me the opportunity to get out of this marriage if I wanted out... How was it possible that I admired this man so much already? I knew nothing about him other than what I heard from his mother. What have I gotten myself into. I didn't have the time to dwell on any of these matters because his hand was now intertwined with mine. His other hand wiping the tears off my cheeks. It felt like a movie scene, except there were 20 soggy wet Kleenex tissues in between us. "Zahrah... why are you crying?" He repeated softly. His thumb stroking circles in my hand and his other hand caressing my neck. I guess this is why people get married, I thought to myself. I get it now. My reply to his question was dumb, as usual... "I just... am..." I moaned incomprehensively. The doctor part of him that has to understand what mumbling drunk patients are saying must have heard what I said, because he had cracked a smile. "Are you regretting this?" He asked pointedly, reading my bloodshot eyes. How did he know what I was thinking? "No" I gurgled out this half-lie, half-truth. There was a part of me that was relieved and elated by his hands and wanted to shut out the part of me that was regretting my marriage decision. His touch was a drug whose effects I never wanted to wear out.

Gold is an extremely popular boyband consisting of three gorgeous young men; Rian, Luke, and Noah. When they choose to attend the private academy Oakwood, most of the students are besides themselves with excitement. Then there's Iris. She likes the band, sure. But she's not as starstruck as some of the others. Having a famous brother will do that to you. Which is why Gold takes notice of her and why she's suddenly entangled in their shenanigans... and in some cases, their love lives.

| SAMPLE ONLY; READ IT NOW ON GALATEA | ❝He's the boy she left behind. She's the girl he let go.❞ ➵ Before she became one of music's biggest up-and-coming artists, Evelyn "Evie" Chase was a nobody at the bottom of the Roosevelt High School food chain with only a handful of friends. Her best friend (and longtime crush)--popular jock, Adam Fields--was her polar opposite, but despite their differences, their bond was as strong as they come. That is, until one day-- one mistake--changed the course of their friendship forever, and the once inseparable duo never spoke again. Fast forward three years, and everything's changed. Evie has the world at her feet, now out in L.A. living her dream as a seventeen-year-old popstar-- leaving the town, the boy who broke her heart, and those who'd made high school unbearable behind. Meanwhile, Adam--at Roosevelt finishing off senior year and still the school (and town's) beloved "golden boy"--is trying his hardest to let go of the past and the girl he let get away. And it's going well, the two of them living their separate lives. Until Evie's back. Suddenly, seventeen and senior year just got a lot more interesting.