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7:52 am

The morning after Seun and I broke it off (or I can as well say we broke it off way before that. Kinda off and on), I sat down in the classroom and listened to principal Ellen through the public address system as she said, 'Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom. It never made sense then and it never does now. How can school ever be my passport to freedom when Seun is still alive?

I don't even know the point but I've loathed the word freedom ever since principal Ellen referred to Oprah Winfrey’s quote. I hate everything. I hate school. I hate her…

I’m sure if people had the chance to see my thoughts, people would think I’m rotten and crazy, ungrateful and vindictive—-add that to the list of crappy things I am.

Here's how I see school: it's a place for the likes of Seun, John (the not-so-rich wannabe jock), and Garry (the son of a top-shot IP attorney and friend of Mr. Carter, Seun and Ayo's dad) to bully people. To bully me.

And right now, sitting next to Ayo in his car and watching people troop into the school makes it worse. Can I make it through the day?

I shut my eyes, taking huge breaths as I wrap my fingers around my hair for the hundredth time. Stone Valley High is not a place for me. I see everyone I don’t want to be around every day, I share the same classrooms with them but deep down, I know what they think of me. I'm useless.

Everything here chokes me; the voices, the deodorants, the teachers... every single person.

"We'll be late for geography, " Ayo says. "You have geography too now, right?"

I turn to see him raise a brow at me. There’s a small smile curling up the corners of his mouth but not the happy kind. I see pity. I see someone who wants to know everything.

No chance, Mr. man.

So, I force a smile and hope the awkwardness of the moment will just go. Just go to class Lola. I say in my head but the thought of stepping out there stifles my muscles. I don't want to be here with Ayo neither do I want to be out there with everyone.

"Thanks for the ride, " I say then stare ahead, at the school entrance.

"There's no monster in there. No one will eat you, Lola," he laughs but stops when I glare at him.

My lips draw into a harsh line and again, I remember the times when I tried to talk to him and how he waved me off. Now, he wants to laugh? What's so funny about any of this? Besides, this is my pain and the hell I go through every day, he should never laugh about that.

I shake my head, push the door open then glance over my shoulder. "Not everything is funny." Without waiting for his response, I slam the door hard, catching Lily--Kim's new friend--squeezing her lips together like someone who just tasted something bitter.

"Ode," I mutter, throwing her the harshest, stink eye I could muster and watch her lower her gaze from me, then jog up the stairs.

I follow too, the peachy air freshener, noisy chatter, and perfumes from other kids are the first thing that welcomes me. Out of curiosity, I look over my shoulder to see if Ayo is following me. He is lost at the bottom of the stairs among a few students.

The hall is crowded with people, and the disarray is so messy, like a market place. And that's why I hate school. It's like I'm against the world: me against enemies every single time. Too many people in a place.

There are the chess club members hanging up posters for the next tournament and opposite them are the school jocks who never do anything but pull pranks on other kids, there is the group who thinks they are too intellectually sound to mix with others, there is the group of girls… girls like Kim. And then there's me, I used to be part of the visual art club but… I just don't think I fit into anything anymore.

Keeping my head down, I drag my way through the sea of faces, and snort as I walk under the banner: "Education is key." Just another annoying quote of the week to encourage students to learn. Stone Valley is always here to remind us of the consequences of failure.

I take a sharp turn to the left and come to a halt when I see a picture on my locker. It's not clear but if anything is on my locker then it can't be something good. It has to be… bad.

I grind my teeth together and hold a part of my hair in a tight grip. What is that picture? What?... it's bad… I know it's bad.

My breath is shaky and my legs move and move until I’m standing in front of my locker and then I see it. The picture is like a time machine that takes me back to that night when I made the dumbest decision. My eyes are tight shut in the picture and no matter how much I try to push everything away, the memory is there like it happened only a moment ago.

No one must see this. I snatch it off the locker, input the code of my locker, snap it open and then pop! some red sticky liquid splatters over my face with more photos flying everywhere.

“Oh!” I groan, swiping the wet liquid off my face as I look everywhere, hoping people won't see this.

But who am I kidding? I hear their chuckles, feel their eyes burning into my skull, and see their hands pointing at me.

Breathe. Breathe. Everything accelerates in my head like sparks of electricity. The pictures are on the floor, telling people a part of the story, but not all they need to know. I swipe at my face again, the smell from the fresh paint is intoxicating.

I must hide the pictures… I must hide them.

I shove them into my backpack as more paint draws with it and drips onto the floor. Quick. I have to--

"Cool pictures," someone hisses near my ear. I want to shrink into nothing. I whirl around and like I expect, John stands in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest. He stares me down with his bird-like eyes, sucking something out of me. I take a step back.

For such a frail-looking guy, his actions bring goosebumps out of my skin every time he comes closer to me. Seun and Garry are evil, horrible and they are every evil name I can come up with but, they are better. At least they ignore me sometimes, but John never does. He just stares at me never blinking.

This gives me chills. The bad kind. The kind that says: you know what happened but you can't say a word of it to anyone.

My body knows this but my mind. My mind.... forget it, Lola.

I look over his shoulder. Enough students are already gathering to see what is about to go down. How about getting to class? I don't want anyone to be here when John shoves me against the locker or does worse.

"I-I," I say.

John holds out a folded paper to me. I can see the red paint on his hand but I ignore it but as I try to take the note from him, he drops it on the floor, next to my feet and leaves.

For a moment, my eyes move from the rows of lockers and stop on Kim, my former best friend. Her face rises. She waves then mouths sorry and for a second, I turn just to be sure it's me she's talking to. By the time I turn to her again, she slams her locker, hurries down the hallway, her fiery, wild hair bouncing with her movements?

Why is she sorry? Kim, you should be happy with everything happening to me. What a backstabbing liar.

I grab the folded paper then read whatever is on it. ‘Never ever walk away from me, Seun.’ My hands tremble and the only way I can stop the build-up steam, burning me up is to wrap my hands around my body. Seun has no right over me. He may not know this now but soon, he'll realize it.

I gather the remaining pictures on the floor and locker then push it into my backpack. The paint is sprinkled at every corner of my locker, ruining the perfect blackness of it. Sighing, I steal a glance around to see people still staring. Should I clean paint off the floor?

"Lola," the recognizable boyish voice relaxes me a bit. "What... who did that?"

"It's nothing..." I regard him, trying to make sense of what's happening.

Maybe Ayo fell that night of the party, hit his head on the floor, and suddenly thinks I'm a friend. Leave me alone. "Nothing,” I repeat.

“Seun did this right?” he deadpans. “Tell him to back off.”

He doesn't get it. Seun would never let me breathe without putting the question of what happens next in my head. That guy has made it his mission to ruin me until I disappear into nothing which is what I plan to do. So why the sudden care, Ayo? Ayo, just stop.

“Go to class.”

"You too."

"I appreciate you giving me a ride. But for real, you need to stop."

Something flashes across his face. His eyes bore into mine which makes my chest beat faster. A soft breath escapes his mouth as he gives me a sad smile that drives me to the edge. That pity smile again?

"I... look, Lola, you have every reason to be mad at me okay? I get it, but I'm trying to help--" he draws a sharp breath and makes a move to hold me but I back away. "Sorry. I know you hate being touched."

He tries to say something again but the bell blares, causing everyone to run for their classes, except Ayo.

"Yea, " I bob my head and start walking again. ‘Sorry’ can't make things right for me. Where was he when I needed him the most? He was there that night, he cared. My subconscious reminds me but I'm so mad about the locker, about Seun and about every single human. Seun... I want to kill you.

"Sorry... about all these."

As much as I want to tell him to stop saying sorry, I don't. Instead, I navigate towards the girls’ bathroom, clean off the paint, head for class, and hold my breath when I see him at the door. Was he waiting? Jesus Christ. I release a shaky breath as he steps aside for me to go in.

Don't worry, it's your last day here. I push the door and step into the lousy chatter and intimidating stares. Every single one of them must have heard the gist of locker mishap. Stories like this fly quickly.

Here's another fact about high school: kids stare too much. It's crazy with the school drama that fills me with anxiety but their stares... their stares drown me.

I know what every look means even if they don't say it. They show me through their actions. Not once have they ever stepped up to Seun for bullying me. Except for Ayo.

Like last week when Seun and his friends were waiting for me at the bathroom entrance after school, Ayo was there to save me. Once again, he was the hero.

I saunter through the rows of people and only a few spot me then return to their businesses, but the majority of the class points and whispers to the person next to them. It's the locker story. Nothing else.

My stomach twists. Run and never look back.

No, sit and be patient, tonight is almost here.

"Lola," Ayo calls but I ignore and hurry for my seat.

He takes his usual seat behind me as Miss. Jodi, the geography teacher enters. She gives the most hateful glare ever and acts like she's at the point of cussing every student out. And the boring brown clothes she wears make her look even more unapproachable.

"Roles of human activities in climate change," she strolls to the table, dumps a textbook on it then faces the class. "How do humans contribute to these changes?" As she talks, the lines around her mouth deepen.

"Lola," Ayo whispers behind me. "Have I said something wrong?"

Stop, please just stop.

I drum my fingers on the table, biting my bottom lip and fixing my gaze on the table. I want him to stop. I want Miss. Jodi to stop talking too. Everything needs to stop—

"The locker thing... it's very wrong and stupid. I'll be mad too if someone pulled such prank on me, very mad," Ayo goes on, moving closer to me as his breath fanned my ear. "You should report this. It's getting out of hand, you know? Lola... I'm sorry—"

"You're always sorry," I mutter.

"What?" he sounds like I told him to stand in front of a moving truck. Shocker.

"I said you're always sorry," I say a little louder, turning to look at him. "That's pathetic. Soooo pathetic."

Ayo's gaze falters. He observes the classroom and clearly, a few of them are now staring, except Miss. Jodi. "I'm trying to help—"

A bitter laugh rumbles out of me and this time, everyone turns, including Miss. Jodi. I cover my mouth and Miss. Jodi returns to the board, scribbling the causes of climate change.

"I don't need your help."

"I'm not Seun," he replies which makes the class go silent. "I won't stop trying—"

"Stop trying!"

"Dideolu," Miss. Jodi barks. It's hard for her to pronounce my surname but it doesn't stop her from using it instead of my first name. "Quiet down, please." She sounds like a frog and it annoys me even more.

"I don't need your help," I push my chair, causing a noisy shriek. Adrenaline flows through me, pumping hard and fast through my veins. "Stop thinking you're some hero who can waltz in to save the day—"

"Dideolu, you will think over your actions during detention," she slams her palm on the table which makes me flinch. I gawk at her. Ms. Jodi's lips turn into an angry line, her porcelain skin reddens as she points a finger at me. "Now, sit."

The whole class erupts in murmurs.

See, this is another problem with high school; they blame the innocent for an outburst but leave the bullies. When will they punish Seun for bullying me, writing, and putting stuff in and on my locker? I'm all alone in this. No matter my outcry, the school authority will always overlook Seun’s terrible actions.

I browse the classroom. Lily already has her phone out, recording the action going on as their babbling continues.

My throat tightens and as much as I want to cry, my boiling blood suppresses it. For the first time in two months, a strange strength surges through me. "Yep, whatever! Done with this!”

The class gasps. An excited shriek echoes from the back of the class but I don't even bother to see who made that annoying sound.

"Don't push me, Dideolu."

Detention means nothing compared to every shitty thing life has handed to me. Tonight, it'll be over. I want to add that but decide against it. Telling anyone about my plans will disrupt everything. I swing my backpack over my shoulder.

"Enjoy your class. I'm out," I advance towards the door, almost tripping on the floor.

More gasps explode in the classroom.

"Lola—-"

"Dideolu."

Miss Jodi and Ayo both call at the same time but I slam the door on my way out.

Faybay:
I love your cryptic way of telling the story, I mean we only got to know of Lola's financial status until much later. It's a really nice story, just please don't keep us waiting too long.
I'm surprised I'm the first to comment, you should try mentioning people in your subsequent updates. More ink to your pen

Thank you very much. Updates is coming tonight. And thanks for the tip too.

7:28 am
⁣

I don't have a bucket list, nothing physical everything is all in my head. Engraved in my mind and they are: to avoid mom, go to school, avoid Kim, avoid Seun, come back home, and end it. ⁣

It’s funny though, right? For a girl who loves writing so much, why won't I just write a list? For weeks upon weeks, all I've done was to write my story, bit by bit. From how everything started...⁣
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My throat closes up like there's a cotton ball stuffed in there. I try to still my trembling lips and put on an I-don’t-care mask as I shove my journal and camera into my backpack. But tears drop and this time it’s hard to stop my hands from shaking. Can you just get a grip on yourself?!


But who am I kidding? I hardly eat and getting a good night's rest has been difficult for two months now. How can I when the nightmares won't stop? These shouldn’t even be happening, every time I see him, I’m reminded that this happened years ago.

One minute, I close my eyes with tears streaming down my cheeks and the next minute—if I'm lucky to get any sleep—I find myself standing with Demola, my baby brother in the middle of an expanse of grassland. Most times, I try to hold him and tell him I’m sorry, but then he keeps disappearing into thin air. Last night though, I held his small, cold hand and followed him.⁣
⁣⁣
A sign… it’s all I ever needed. You can ask the universe for all the signs, but ultimately, we see one when we are ready to see it. I have seen the sign, and it's time to join him.⁣
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Snif, snif. I swallow the lump in my throat as the pink, empty walls in my room blur beneath my tears. The walls are blank now: Nicki's, B.O.B's, and a ton of movie posters on my walls are gone now. So are my pictures, shoes, and clothes—all gone! All packed into boxes and hidden in the bathroom.⁣
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My eyelids flutter, and more tears fall. It's like something is right there, in my chest twisting over and over and I can't stop it. It's the type of pain that doesn't just tug at your heart, but it sits there, waiting until the end. ⁣
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I move to the mirror, sniffing and wiping the running snorts off my nose with the collar of my shirt. It stinks like sweat and weed. The odor is enough to make a non-smoker puke, but for me, it makes me feel better. It’s the only way to push everyone away and hide my scars. The scars that created the new Lola Dideolu.⁣
⁣
Isn't it crazy how things change? Former Lola would strive to look happy even if it means partying, drinking, smoking, and all sorts, but now Lola is skinny with papery skin. ⁣
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I sigh, pick my backpack on the bed, head out of the room, and as much as I try keeping my hands anywhere but my hair but I can't. So I run my hands over my kinky hair each step of the way then wipe my cheeks dry. ⁣
⁣
Downstairs, my mom—clad in her grey dress-uniform, an apron around the waist and hair packed in a neat bun–is arranging the cutlery on the dining table. This means Mr. and Mrs. Carter will be out at any moment for coffee.⁣
⁣
A weight settles on my heart when a spoon falls from her shaky hand, causing a loud clatter. I make a move to help her but stop, remembering the things she said last night: “You're ungrateful.” ⁣
⁣
Why should I be grateful?—⁣
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“Yea,” Seun’s voice floats into the dining area, making my brain stutter for a moment as every part of me goes on pause while my thoughts catch up. I should go back to my room, let him leave the dinning.

“Yes, the locker. Do it,” Seun continues past my mom, his voice creating a crawling feeling all over my skin.
⁣
I wait until my mom leaves for the kitchen too then clench the straps of my backpack and quietly ran for the door and out into the warm morning. Seun mustn't see me. Last night, I did something I had never imagined doing—I walked out on him. He would have been thrilled beyond words if he saw me now. I can already guess what he would say to me with that irritating, taunting tone of his. "Heyyy, Lola." That voice sends chills through my bones every single time. ⁣
⁣
I hate him. I hate Seun so much I want to do something terrible... anything that stops him from breathing.⁣

I quicken my pace through the tree-lined driveway and the ornate main gate and glance at the beige, stone, and brick mansion one last time. It's hard to keep going even though I can never get used to the lavishness that is everywhere in the Carters' house, this is my home too. This morning, I'm walking out of here but tonight things will be different for everyone, even for the Carter family.⁣
⁣
The almost-quietness in the neighborhood is deafening; I can only hear Mrs. Montgomery's heels clicking on the tarred road as she tried getting her two young boys into the vehicle. ⁣
⁣
They don't listen; they never do, no matter how much she screams. She's a stoic kind of person who thinks everyone should bow to her wishes, but it surprises me her children never listen to her. Mrs. Montgomery visits Seun's mom once in a while, not because they like each other though (I've caught her glaring at Mrs. Carter) but because they love to gossip. It's what the rich people in Castle-way does when they aren't outside the country on vacation.⁣
⁣
Mrs. Montgomery claps, “Get back here.” She barks, storming towards the car door, but before opening it, one of her sons runs towards the street as a man driving white, moving-van punches the horn and stops before crushing him.
⁣
“Frank!” Mrs. Montgomery cries as a man wearing washed-out jeans rushes out of the van. “Oh, God!” he says.⁣
⁣
I'm frozen to a spot, and it takes every nerve in me to look away. I'm too dazed to do anything, not even to rush over and help the kid. It's too much for me. Seeing the kid struggle to get up brings back haunting memories, I've tried so hard to bury.⁣
⁣
No. No. No. I swallow. You've got to forget it. ⁣
⁣
I can see Demola's face.
⁣
No. Stop thinking about him.⁣
⁣
I close my eyes. Look away.⁣
⁣
⁣
Demola's lying in a pool of blood.⁣
⁣
⁣
No. Just walk away.⁣
⁣
⁣
It's entirely your fault—⁣
⁣
The blaring sound of a car horn jolts me out of the torturous memory. My shoulders stiffen when I remember it could be Seun, but on turning, I see Ayo, Seun's twin brother, driving slowly next to me. My body slumps and a slight groan escape my mouth. ⁣
⁣
But then again, I tense. It's Ayo. He's still a Carter. He shares a family with my nemesis, and no matter how much they hate each other's guts, Ayo can never be my friend.

"The weather guy says it'll rain today," he says, and on instinct, I look at the clear blue sky then frown at him. "So... you need a ride? Look, I know you won't answer me, but I won't leave you."⁣
⁣
You sound like a stalker. I want to say to him rather, I say, "No, " my voice is calm but firm. ⁣
⁣
I don't need a ride, but will he ever stop trying? Doubt it. For two months now, ever since he found me crying that night, he's been trying so hard to play nice. Talk about being a coward. He waited until Seun and I were officially done. ⁣
⁣
Whatever his problem is, I don't care, and he shouldn't too. It's not like he knows what my plans are, but if he doesn't stop knocking on my door, offering me a ride or sitting behind me in class, he may hinder everything⁣
⁣
Ayo rests his arm on the car door, plastering his face with a smile. "Please, get in. You know it's faster."⁣
⁣
I cross my arms over my chest, watching him as he replaces his right hand on the steering then fingers his honey brown curls. He doesn't pack it up with a rubber band this time, he lets his hair rumple down at the sides of his face, cupping his high cheekbones.⁣
⁣
"Lola?"⁣
⁣
"Go away, Ayo," I scowl at him, clenching the straps of my backpack. ⁣
⁣
"C'mon, get in. I want to help," he says. "Pay me. I can be your taxi driver. So get in."⁣
⁣
I hate it when someone tries to tell me what to do. It makes me feel worthless like a dummy that can't think without someone's help. Maybe I'm a failure, but still... I hate the feeling of being controlled or restrained. It reminds me of everything. It reminds me of Seun.⁣
⁣
A small wind swings the trees on the sidewalk and swirls the leaves on the floor. I keep my head down as tears threaten to fall again. Don't be a weakling. ⁣
⁣
"Don't do this to yourself," Ayo breathes hard. Is he mad at me? Oh no, he has no right to get mad at me. "Who prefers walking to getting a ride? I'm trying to help. Stop acting like this."⁣
⁣
Ayo is right. My gut keeps churning, and my legs are weak. Each step I take reminds me I'm fragile and hungry, but at the sight of food, my appetite disappears. Yea, I do need a ride, but I won't take any help from him.⁣
⁣
"Thank you very much; I can walk."⁣
⁣
Why does he suddenly want to be my friend? I'm just their maid's daughter, and if we never left Nigeria for the United States, we would never have met. He's way out of my league, the same with Seun, and if I had listened to mom, maybe I won't be this broken. ⁣
⁣⁣
"I tried," he grunts, and I don't have to look at his face to know what he's thinking or know how hurt he is. I expect him to speed past me, but he doesn't. Just go, Ayo.⁣
⁣⁣
I'm about to pull out my earpiece and phone from my backpack when I spot Seun's red Jeep wrangler from the side view, leaving their compound. ⁣
⁣
My blood turns chill. I turn to Ayo, who catches my eyes and for some reason, worry crosses his face. He opens his mouth to say something and then closes it. ⁣
⁣
I glance over my shoulder again. Oh, no. Seun is closing in. My gaze cuts back to Ayo, and I can't help the way my legs tremble as if they've been dipped in a bucket of ice. ⁣
⁣
"Ayo, wait," I run to the passenger's side, tap the door, and as soon as he stops, I get in and slide down the seat, so Seun won't see me. As soon as Seun's car buzzes by I sit up. "T-thanks," ⁣
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I feel like an idiot sitting next to Ayo as he stares at me. It's right there, in his face. He wants to talk. The universe must be having a field day already because one minute I don't want his help, and now, look at me. I'm nothing but a scared chicken, and once again, Ayo is saving me like always. ⁣
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He clears his throat as we move. ⁣
⁣
"So..." he trails off as his gaze bounces around before finding me again. "You okay? Right?"⁣
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I nod and sit forward, trying to take my backpack off my back so I can get my phone and earpiece. Ayo clears his throat again. “Why are you scared of him?”⁣
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I say nothing. I understand why I'm scared of Seun, but the reasons are meant to be buried. ⁣
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"Just..." I trail off, running my palm over my hair. "Drop it."⁣



Check back next Monday for another chapter! And please, check out my website for more interesting stuff https://dearweekly..com

Hey guys! What do you think about this chapter? Any ideas and improvement? It’s the first draft but please try and understand. Please, don’t forget to drop your comments and oh! Share with your friends too.

Lola Dideolu has been obsessed with death for long. The best method to end it, the best location, the best time ... she has everything covered.
But when she gets detention on her birthday, the day she's decided to kill herself, Lola knows she must ditch school and say goodbye to a mother who hates her guts; a best friend who was never a friend; an obsessive ex who always has a trick up his sleeves; and a very dirty secret that must never be put out there.

Her plan seems foolproof, until Ayo her ex's twin brother ditches school too and won't leave her alone. With each hour they spend outside school, her walls crack. But isn't it too late to let her walls crumble?

Read more on

https://dearweekly..com/2020/06/Romance%20new%20releases%20in%202020.html?m=1


There’s a new book coming to nairaland and Dear Weekly soon. Here’s the blurb:


Lola Dideolu has been obsessed with death for long. The best method to end it, the best location, the best time ... she has everything covered.

But when she gets detention on her birthday, the day she's decided to kill herself, Lola knows she must ditch school and say goodbye to a mother who hates her guts; a best friend who was never a friend; an obsessive ex who always has a trick up his sleeves; and a very dirty secret that must never be put out there.

Her plan seems foolproof, until Chase her ex's twin brother ditches school too and won't leave her alone. With each hour they spend outside school, her walls crack. But isn't it too late to let her walls crumble?

The Boyfriend Project


USA Today bestselling author Farrah Rochon launches a new series about three young women who become friends when the live Tweeting of a disastrous date leads them to discover they've all been duped by the same man.

Samiah Brooks never thought she would be "that" girl. But a live tweet of a horrific date just revealed the painful truth: she's been catfished by a three-timing jerk of a boyfriend. Suddenly Samiah-along with his two other "girlfriends," London and Taylor-have gone viral online. Now the three new besties are making a pact to spend the next six months investing in themselves. No men, no dating, and no worrying about their relationship status . . .

For once Samiah is putting herself first, and that includes finally developing the app she's always dreamed of creating. Which is the exact moment she meets the deliciously sexy, honey-eyed Daniel Collins at work. What are the chances? When it comes to love, there's no such thing as a coincidence. But is Daniel really boyfriend material or is he maybe just a little too good to be true?

Published June 9th 2020 by Forever

500 Miles from You



Lissie, is a nurse in a gritty, hectic London neighborhood. Always terribly competent and good at keeping it all together, she’s been suffering quietly with PTSD after helping to save the victim of a shocking crime. Her supervisor quietly arranges for Lissie to spend a few months doing a much less demanding job in the little town of Kirrinfeif in Scottish Highlands, hoping that the change of scenery will help her heal. Lissie will be swapping places with Cormack, an Army veteran who’s Kirrinfeif’s easygoing nurse/paramedic/all-purpose medical man. Lissie’s never experienced small-town life, and Cormack’s never spent more than a day in a big city, but it seems like a swap that would do them both some good.

In London, the gentle Cormack is a fish out of the water; in Kirrinfief, the dynamic Lissie finds it hard to adjust to the quiet. But these two strangers are now in constant contact, taking over each other’s patients, endlessly emailing about anything and everything. Lissie and Cormack discover a new depth of feeling…for their profession and for each other.

But what will happen when Lissie and Cormack finally meet…?


Published June 9th 2020 by William Morrow Paperbacks

The Marriage Game




A high stakes wager pits an aspiring entrepreneur against a ruthless CEO in this sexy romantic comedy.

After her life falls apart, recruitment consultant Layla Patel returns home to her family in San Francisco. But in the eyes of her father, who runs a Michelin starred restaurant, she can do no wrong. He would do anything to see her smile again. With the best intentions in mind, he offers her the office upstairs to start her new business and creates a profile on an online dating site to find her a man. She doesn’t know he’s arranged a series of blind dates until the first one comes knocking on her door…

As CEO of a corporate downsizing company Sam Mehta is more used to conflict than calm. In search of a quiet new office, he finds the perfect space above a cozy Indian restaurant that smells like home. But when communication goes awry, he's forced to share his space with the owner's beautiful yet infuriating daughter Layla, her crazy family, and a parade of hopeful suitors, all of whom threaten to disrupt his carefully ordered life.

As they face off in close quarters, the sarcasm and sparks fly. But when the battle for the office becomes a battle of the heart, Sam and Layla have to decide if this is love or just a game.

Published June 9th 2020 by Berkley

Party of Two



A chance meeting with a handsome stranger turns into a whirlwind affair that gets everyone talking.

Dating is the last thing on Olivia Monroe's mind when she moves to LA to start her own law firm. But when she meets a gorgeous man at a hotel bar and they spend the entire night flirting, she discovers too late that he is none other than hotshot junior senator Max Powell. Olivia has zero interest in dating a politician, but when a cake arrives at her office with the cutest message, she can't resist--it is chocolate cake, after all.

Olivia is surprised to find that Max is sweet, funny, and noble--not just some privileged white politician she assumed him to be. Because of Max's high-profile job, they start seeing each other secretly, which leads to clandestine dates and silly disguises. But when they finally go public, the intense media scrutiny means people are now digging up her rocky past and criticizing her job, even her suitability as a trophy girlfriend. Olivia knows what she has with Max is something special, but is it strong enough to survive the heat of the spotlight?

Expected publication: June 23rd 2020 by Berkley

Romance list by Dear Weekly


Take a Hint, Dani Brown

Danika Brown knows what she wants: professional success, academic renown, and an occasional roll in the hay to relieve all that career-driven tension. But romance? Been there, done that, burned the T-shirt. Romantic partners, whatever their gender, are a distraction at best and a drain at worst. So Dani asks the universe for the perfect friend-with-benefits—someone who knows the score and knows their way around the bedroom.

When brooding security guard Zafir Ansari rescues Dani from a workplace fire drill gone wrong, it’s an obvious sign: PhD student Dani and ex-rugby player Zaf are destined to sleep together. But before she can explain that fact, a video of the heroic rescue goes viral. Now half the internet is shipping #DrRugbae—and Zaf is begging Dani to play along. Turns out, his sports charity for kids could really use the publicity. Lying to help children? Who on earth would refuse?

Dani’s plan is simple: fake a relationship in public, seduce Zaf behind the scenes. The trouble is, grumpy Zaf’s secretly a hopeless romantic—and he’s determined to corrupt Dani’s stone-cold realism. Before long, he’s tackling her fears into the dirt. But the former sports star has issues of his own, and the walls around his heart are as thick as his... um, thighs.

Suddenly, the easy lay Dani dreamed of is more complex than her thesis. Has her wish backfired? Is her focus being tested? Or is the universe just waiting for her to take a hiAvon

Expected publication: June 23rd 2020 by Avon