Last month on Brookelynite Daily, we wrapped our third serialized romance. This month, we’re starting a new one. The heat is up. So is the tension.
I Hate That I Love You is the fourth story coming to my premium newsletter. It’s an enemies-to-lovers romance about two A&Rs with beef who are being forced to work together for a good cause. They’ve got history. And yes, there’s the baby sister’s best friend trope in the mix too.
How excited I was to create an alternate ending for these two. Just saying their names—Nubia and Naazir—makes my heart warm. I love them deeply. Not too many words here, because you’ve got to get to the story. Enjoy! I know I did writing it…
NAAZIR
I shifted my attention from the canvas in front of me to Nubia. Smiled as I studied her, sitting as still as she could, covered only with a white silk sheet. She held a bulk of the fabric around her full breasts.
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When I asked readers to let me know which short stories from Forbidden: An Anthology they wanted me to continue, the overwhelming request was for August and Genesis’s story. And that didn’t surprise me. These two were really good on page. Tack on their storyline and how they came to be, and you have an unconventional friends-to-lovers story I couldn’t wait to work on. Their story was so unique, as they were dealing with grief (Genesis had a harder time than August) and this tamed attraction they’d had for each other since they were teenagers. And while they had given into those desires in the anthology, Meant to Be really gave their love roots. But one particular chapter brought this love story back on track—and it came after a moment that seemed too big to forgive.
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August Hall is a character that started as just a plot point. I loved that I got to give him a voice by the time we reached his story in Meant to Be. We first met him through Genesis Garner in her short story in Forbidden: An Anthology, and from there, I always knew I wanted to build him out. I’ve always wanted to create a main character who was a chef. There’s just something about a man who knows his way around a kitchen. And in August’s case, his kitchen is where he transforms healthy food into savory cuisine.
The situation he found himself in with Genesis was one I really enjoyed writing. The angst and quiet determination that pulsed through his character helped Meant to Be stand out in the Forbidden series. August is like a quiet storm—and we loved getting caught in him.
Let’s get to know August a little more intimately.
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