When Everly Reed collides with the cynical and devilishly handsome Mason Valdez, she knows trouble is ahead, but she never could have guessed how much she would be drawn to the storm. ***** Nineteen-year-old Ever Reed likes when things make sense. Which is probably why she excels at math, enough to secure her a spot at an Ivy League school out of state. Sheltered by her mother and older brother Asher for most of her life, Ever hasn't experienced much of the world, but she knows New York will be an adventure. Enter Mason Valdez: cynical, arrogant, and undeniably attractive-exactly what Ever doesn't need. But as their paths keep crossing, Ever finds herself intrigued by Mason, and eager to know the boy behind the bitter mask. As secrets, scars, and painful pasts rise to the surface, Ever knows one thing for sure: they can only make it through if they face their storms together. [[word count: 150,000 - 200,000]] Cover designed by Frances Louise De Ramos Spinoff to The Hoodie Girl Book One of the A Thousand Storms series [[The Fiction Awards 2018 Best Overall Story and Best Romance Winner]] Content/trigger warning: This story mentions sexual assault and childhood abuse

She ran away to find freedom. She came home with a husband. Six years ago, rebellious heiress Ruby St. Clair vanished. After the tragic death of her parents, she traded her diamonds for a waitress's apron and her legacy for anonymity. She was happy. She was safe. Then she met Roman Vasquez. One whirlwind encounter with the calculated Spanish billionaire turned her world upside down-and ended with a wedding ring she never intended to wear. Now, realizing the depth of her mistake, Ruby is on the run again. But there's only one place left to hide: the home she swore she'd never return to, and the secrets she can no longer outrun.