Pearls & Saltwater

In which a black debutant falls for the rebel surfer

She was born into silk gloves, pressed manners, and a last name that opened every locked door in the country.

Olandria Carthen came from old money, the kind built from black excellence; she was raised to smile softly, speak less, and never-ever-step outside the lines drawn for her. Her life was crystal chandeliers, charity galas, and expectations heavy enough to drown in. Perfect. Polished. Untouchable.
At least, that's what everyone thought.

He was born into money too-but Nicolas vansteenberghe never cared for any of it. A surfer boy with reckless laughter, sunburnt skin, and a habit of running from anything that tried to own him. The kind of boy who chooses saltwater over silver spoons, chaos over control, and freedom over legacy.

They weren't supposed to meet.

And they definitely weren't supposed to understand each other.

But the Outer Banks has a way of pulling opposites into the same tide.

She's reserved, careful, and taught that love is something you calculate-not fall into.
He's loud, fearless, and lives like every wave might be his last.

One follows every rule she was given.

The other breaks every rule just to feel alive.

And somehow... they keep finding each other in the space between their worlds.

Because in a place where status divides everything and the ocean keeps secrets, love might be the most dangerous rebellion of all.