Khari Valentine is a basketball player from New Orleans, Louisiana who seems to be very rough around the edges. His move to Washington, DC to play college ball for Georgetown University is less than smooth. He meets a very well rounded young lady in Malia King. She's smart, beautiful, spiritual, and patient. Can they build a friendship or would the two think that they have nothing in common?

When tragedy strikes Marley's family, the last thing she is looking for is love-until Elijah, her nephew's teacher, shows her it's worth fighting for. ***** 26-year-old Marley Wright's world is flipped upside down when her beloved brother is admitted into rehab and she becomes the primary caregiver for his two teenagers. Little does she know that her nephew's handsome high school teacher, Elijah, is the man who's going to fill her life with unbelievable passion. But when their exes come back with malicious intentions, Marley and Elijah's lives change beyond their wildest imaginations. And when tragedy strikes, will their love withstand the pressure? Content and/or Trigger Warning: mention of substance abuse. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]