One Word Series

Desiree
Born and raised in Stars Valley, small-town life is all I know. When the opportunity arises to leave for university, I jump at it, eager to start a new chapter. I love my classes, I’ve made new friends, and I even joined the school photography club. Everything is great. My only problem? Eli. The six-foot, dark-haired, tattooed drummer who seems to only crack a smile when he’s laughing at me. I try my best to avoid him, but everywhere I turn, he’s there.
The more time we spend around each other, the harder it is to deny my attraction to him. I’ve always wanted the effortless type of relationship that I’ve seen in the movies—the sort of love my parents have. Eli is the exact opposite of who I thought I would want, he’s closed off and pushes my every button but I’m still inexplicably drawn to him. When things get too hard, with his distrust of relationships, I’m left to wonder: Shouldn’t love be easy?

Elijah
After a tough summer at home, I’m happy to be back in Winnipeg where I don’t have to deal with my good-for-nothing father or bear the weight of trying to keep my brother in line. All I have to focus on are classes and the band. Or at least that’s the plan, until I lay eyes on her. With her curly hair, beautiful smile and sweet, yet clumsy, nature, Desiree occupies far too much space in my brain. We couldn’t be more different, but I’ve never been more intrigued.
She stirs up emotions in me that I didn’t know I could feel and I find my world flipped on its axis. But when life comes crashing down, I’m reminded of what love can do to people. I have two rules when it comes to relationships: Keep it casual and don’t get attached. But could she be the one to change it all?