COMPLETED. "You are so beautiful. What's your name?" She looked at her friend extremely confused then back over at me. "Me?" "Yes, you." I was making direct eye contact with her. "My name is Onika, what's yours?" Is she hard of hearing? I know she can't be that old. She laughed, "Probably way too old for you honey." To Onika, age is nothing but a number. Regardless of what Beyonce said, it didn't matter to her either.

Valentina, a student at Heartfelt University, is assigned to the notoriously rude and cold Professor Montgomery. While the professor's harsh demeanor clashes with Val's quiet and positive nature, their academic sparring soon turns into something deeper. As Val's intelligence and persistence break through Professor Montgomery's icy exterior, a surprising and tender connection begins to bloom. [wlw] [slow burn]