Pitch:

Halley lost out on a coveted grant and needs a source of income before she’s broke. She’ll have to rely on her jock-whispering tutoring skills to survive the semester financially. Quinton knows every move on the football field but has to ace Organic Chemistry to keep his pre-med dreams alive in case his body breaks. Together, their sexual chemistry sizzles, but their future paths point opposite directions.

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry, Halley. I wanted to choose your study.”

I understood the placation, but I couldn’t swallow my disappointment. Katherine didn’t have to tell me this news face to face, she’d chosen to, which meant something. So, I channeled the spirit of Marie Curie, put on a fake smile, and shoved the frustration to the back of my mind. “I appreciate you letting me know in person. I was hoping to work with you as well.”

She sighed, probably relieved I hadn’t burst into tears. “Your grant really spoke to me. My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years back.”

My family story wasn’t unique. Thousands suffered from the disease, brains wasting away while their families watched on, helpless. But the reminder hit me deep inside whenever it came up. “Mine too. She’s at home with my mom. Still in the early stages.”

“It’s an honorable cause, but unfortunately, the department was only able to fund one study this year.”

Again, nothing I didn’t know. But desperation ate at me. As if the loss of my academic dream wasn’t painful enough, I’d been counting on the stipend to get me through the year. “Which study did the university select? Maybe they’ll need some help.”

“They chose Wheatherton’s.” The firm set of her mouth told me exactly how she felt about working with him. Yeah, that would never happen. On to plan B.